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Hyundai reveals new Kona SUV
The latest model from the Korean maker will be a rival for the likes of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, as well as the forthcoming Citroen C3 Aircross and Kia Stonic.
- New SUV will be the smallest of Hyundai’s three SUVs in the UK
- Design includes LED headlamps, two-tone roof, and choice of ten exterior colours
- Four-wheel drive available, with range expected to go on sale towards the end of this year
This is our first chance to see the Hyundai Kona, an all-new model that will become the company’s third – and smallest – SUV in its range.
It will be sold alongside the existing Tucson and Santa Fe, and gives the company a rival for the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, as well as forthcoming models such as the Citroen C3 Aircross and Kia Stonic. What’s obvious at first glance is that the car adopts a new ‘family face’: what Hyundai calls a ‘Cascading Grille’, with a mesh pattern. It’s flanked by twin LED headlights that are built into the contrasting bumper cladding and have LED daytime running lights above them. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of silver detailing all over the the car – including on the the foglights and lower air intakes, a line along the side and on the skid plate at the rear – and the two-tone roof and choice of ten exterior colours will give buyers huge scope to personalise their car.
It will be sold alongside the existing Tucson and Santa Fe, and gives the company a rival for the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, as well as forthcoming models such as the Citroen C3 Aircross and Kia Stonic. What’s obvious at first glance is that the car adopts a new ‘family face’: what Hyundai calls a ‘Cascading Grille’, with a mesh pattern. It’s flanked by twin LED headlights that are built into the contrasting bumper cladding and have LED daytime running lights above them. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of silver detailing all over the the car – including on the the foglights and lower air intakes, a line along the side and on the skid plate at the rear – and the two-tone roof and choice of ten exterior colours will give buyers huge scope to personalise their car.
This design and colour scheme are then reflected inside, where various parts (including the surrounds for the air vents, the gearlever and the engine start button, as well as the stitching on the seats and steering wheel) can be personalised to tie in with the overall colour scheme.
The Kona will also feature the latest in connectivity and technology, including (for the first time in a Hyundai) the availability of a head-up display. Customers will also have a choice of three infotainment systems, with the most basic featuring a five-inch monochrome screen featuring radio and Bluetooth connectivity. The mid-range ‘Display’ Audio system has a seven-inch colour LCD touchscreen with an integrated rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and compatibility with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, while the top models get an eight-inch screen with an uprated navigation system. A high-end, eight-speaker sound system by audio manufacturer Krell is also available. Last, but not least, Hyundai also says the new Kona offers plenty of space for both passengers and luggage. The boot capacity of 361 litres can be extended to 1143 by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats.
The Kona will also feature the latest in connectivity and technology, including (for the first time in a Hyundai) the availability of a head-up display. Customers will also have a choice of three infotainment systems, with the most basic featuring a five-inch monochrome screen featuring radio and Bluetooth connectivity. The mid-range ‘Display’ Audio system has a seven-inch colour LCD touchscreen with an integrated rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and compatibility with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, while the top models get an eight-inch screen with an uprated navigation system. A high-end, eight-speaker sound system by audio manufacturer Krell is also available. Last, but not least, Hyundai also says the new Kona offers plenty of space for both passengers and luggage. The boot capacity of 361 litres can be extended to 1143 by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats.
Although the specification of cars in the UK is yet to be finalised, we know the Kona will offer buyers a choice between two turbocharged petrol engines: a 1.0-litre unit mated to a six-speed manual transmission with CO2 emissions of 119 g/km, as well as a more powerful 1.6-litre unit with a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. This is expected to have fuel consumption of just under 39mpg and CO2 emissions of 169 g/km.
In summer 2018, a 1.6-litre diesel engine will join the range, available in two power outputs and with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes and the option of four-wheel drive. According to the company, the Kona’s suspension has been set up to provide both good ride comfort and sporty handling, and four-wheel drive models have a more complex rear suspension, which helps to optimise ride and handling. Finally, the Kona also features the latest active safety features, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. There’s no word yet on exactly when the car will go on sale in the UK or how much it will cost, but we expect it to appear in Hyundai showrooms before the end of this year. Given its rivals, we expect a starting price for the range of around £14,000.
In summer 2018, a 1.6-litre diesel engine will join the range, available in two power outputs and with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes and the option of four-wheel drive. According to the company, the Kona’s suspension has been set up to provide both good ride comfort and sporty handling, and four-wheel drive models have a more complex rear suspension, which helps to optimise ride and handling. Finally, the Kona also features the latest active safety features, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. There’s no word yet on exactly when the car will go on sale in the UK or how much it will cost, but we expect it to appear in Hyundai showrooms before the end of this year. Given its rivals, we expect a starting price for the range of around £14,000.