Warner added 60 valuable runs with Naman Ojha (34), giving the innings some momentum after a slow start, which saw the home side score only 25 runs in the first five overs.
This was Warner's 34th fifty, the most by any batsman in the tournament, and his fifth straight against Kings XI Punjab.
Opting to field, Kings XI Punjab bowlers were disciplined in their approach on a pitch where shot-making was not the easiest thing in the world. Warner, however, was equal to the task on a day when Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi made his IPL debut.
Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad were off to a slow start, and it was not till the second ball of the third over they got their first boundary.
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Kings XI Punjab continued to bowl a tight line and length and the reward came in the form of Dhawan's wicket, caught behind off a Mohit Sharma bouncer in the fifth over.
Dhawan positioned himself for the hook early as the ball slowly climbed at his right shoulder.
Having swiftly switched his stance, Warner's reverse-ramp six past short third man broke the shackles in the seventh over, KC Cariappa being the bowler.
The hat-trick ball was negotiated by Naman Ojha, before the batsman scored a few useful runs, using the long handle to good effect.
Rashid Khan finished the innings in style, pulling Sandeep Sharma over long on for a six.
For Kings XI Punjab, Mohit Sharma and Axar Patel were the most successful bowlers, returning figures of 2/25 and 2/33 respectively.