2023 Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona

The crossover SUV market is saturated with options, from extra small to large and everything in between. So many choices can make finding the right vehicle to fit your needs challenging. The Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona are top contenders if you’re in the market for an extra-small crossover SUV. Each of these vehicles offers plenty of features for the money, fuel efficiency, and versatile cargo options. Let’s look closer at the 2023 Honda HR-V versus the Hyundai Kona to help you decide which one is best for you.

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New Trims Available for 2023

The 2023 Honda HR-V is available in three trim levels: LX, Sport, and EX-L. Standard features include LED headlights with automatic on/off, a security system with remote entry, body-color door handles, LED brake lights, and power side mirrors. The Sport adds heated gloss black power side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, a sport grille, chrome exhaust finisher, rear privacy glass, and Smart Entry with Walk Away auto lock. Moving up to the EX-L gets you heated body-colored power side mirrors with integrated turn indicators and a one-touch power moonroof with a tilt feature.

You can get the 2023 Hyundai Kona in four main trims: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. The Kona N and Kona Electric are also available from Hyundai, which are related to the Kona but are considered separate models. No significant changes are anticipated for the 2023 Kona, so you can expect to find LED daytime running lights and automatic on/off projector halogen headlights on the SE. You’ll also get body-colored door handles and side mirrors on the base trim. On the SEL, you get heated, body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals, rear privacy glass, and roof side rails.

The N Line features its signature front and rear fascia and a twin-tip exhaust. You get LED headlights and taillights and a power sunroof on the Limited edition.

Power and Performance

The 2023 Honda HR-V has a new engine under its hood. You get a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable transmission with Sport mode on all three trim levels. This engine delivers 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, which is higher than the 2022 model.

Front-wheel drive is standard on the 2023 HR-V, with an available real-time all-wheel drive with an intelligent control system available for all three trims. Standard features include multi-point fuel injection, active noise cancellation, hill descent control, hill start assist, and a direct ignition system with an immobilizer. You also get the Honda Eco Assist System, which helps fuel economy by promoting better driving habits that save fuel.

Depending on the trim level, there are two engines on the 2023 Hyundai Kona. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission for 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The other N Line and Limited have a 1.6-liter turbocharged option paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine boasts 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, but you can swap that out for an all-wheel-drive active on-demand system on all trims.

Interior Design

Slide behind the wheel of the 2023 Honda HR-V, and you’ll discover an interior made for the comfort and convenience of drivers and passengers alike. The LX features automatic climate control, cargo area tie-downs and lights, a push-button start, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat for various passenger and cargo configuration options. You also get Bluetooth streaming and hand-free link, two USB ports, a 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area, a four-speaker sound system, and a 7-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities.

On the Sport, you get heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power windows with automatic up/down on the driver’s and front passenger’s windows, and an upgraded six-speaker stereo system. The EX-L adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror, ambient LED interior lighting, and leather-trimmed upholstery. Additional features on the EX-L include a 9-inch color touch screen with customizable settings and smart shortcuts, an eight-speaker audio system, SiriusXM, an HD radio, and a wireless phone charger.

The interior of the 2023 Hyundai Kona is equally inviting, with standard features such as two USB ports, a six-speaker sound system, and an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the SE. The SEL adds keyless entry and ignition, plus HD and satellite radio. Moving up to the N Line gets you automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a wireless charging pad. You get leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an eight-speaker stereo system, and a 10.25-inch touch screen on the Limited.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

On the 2023 Honda HR-V, you’ll enjoy the safety and driver-assistance features of the Honda Sensing Technologies suite. These features include a collision mitigation braking system, a road departure mitigation system, adaptive cruise control, a lane-keeping assist system, and forward collision warning. As standard features, you also get a lane departure warning, traffic jam assist, traffic sign reader, automatic high beams, and a rear seat reminder. The Sport adds a blind-spot information system with a rear cross-traffic monitor, while the EX-L also adds low-speed braking control.

All Kona trims feature forward collision mitigation, lane departure mitigation, and a lane-keeping system. The SEL adds a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and the N Line features adaptive cruise control. Finally, the Limited has rear parking sensors to help you identify obstacles while parking your Kona.

While the 2023 Honda HR-V has fewer trims to choose from than the Hyundai Kona, those trims tend to have more to offer as standard features, making it our top pick of extra-small crossover SUVs. When you’re ready to check out the features for yourself, stop by to see the sales team at Performance Honda.

We’re located at 5760 Dixie Highway in Fairfield, Ohio, to answer any questions or set you up for a test drive in the HR-V or any other available model. You can reach us at 513-829-7300 during sales hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, closing at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. You can also complete our convenient and secure online form to get started today.