The Hyundai Kona is one of the first models to actually offer hybrid and electric vehicle options across its range - but as the Korean manufacturer increasingly turns to electric vehicles, its small SUV risks falling behind the industry-wide design advances. That should change in 2023 with the arrival of the second-generation Kona, which these official images preview for the first time.
Mk2 The Kona sits below the Tucson in Hyundai's lineup, but above the Bayon, and is clearly more mature than the original approach. For starters, it's bigger than the last generation - 25mm wider and 150mm longer at 4355mm, making it just 70mm shorter than the Kia Niro. Hyundai hopes the 60mm wheelbase will help address two of the original model's biggest shortcomings: rear cabin space and luggage capacity.
Hyundai Motor's design team, led by SangYup Lee, has given the car a more powerful, high-tech look. It first designed the all-electric version, then transferred its principles to a version powered by the combustion engine . A light bar spans the leading edge of the hood, and obvious wheel arch extensions make the new Kona more stable than its predecessor. The light strip, which Hyundai calls the Seamless Horizon, will feature a pixelated finish on all-electric models, as well as an area on the lower bumper to help connect this car to models like the Ioniq 5 and 6.
The sides have sharper, more chiseled surfaces than before and pronounced wheel arch cladding, helping to reflect the Kona's positioning between the Hyundai range and all-electric vehicles like the Tucson. The car rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.
In addition to electric and hybrid versions, Hyundai also previewed the successor to the current sporty N Line model. It features black trim details on the wing mirrors and roof, a larger spoiler and redesigned bumpers to reflect a likely lower ride height.
The Kona’s interior also looks set to receive a major upgrade. The single image released by the company shows a more premium look, with brighter and more luxurious materials compared to the gray plastic used in all key areas of the current car. The dashboard features a slim 'single line' air vent layout designed to make the cabin feel wider, with the instrument panel featuring a 12.3-inch center display and possibly a 10.25-inch digital instrument screen that blend together to form a modern-style 'floating' panel. The brand's designers also moved the gear selector from the center console to behind the steering wheel; Hyundai claims this frees up space between the front seats, thereby increasing storage space.
hasn't released any technical details yet, but we do know that the Kona is moving to the K3 platform, which is the same architecture used by the latest Kia Niro. Hyundai is unlikely to offer the car as a plug-in hybrid, continuing its original policy, but it is expected to offer 48V 1.0-litre mild hybrid, 1.6-litre full hybrid and pure electric versions. The latter should continue to feature the 201bhp motor driving the front wheels, and while it will get improved battery management and a small capacity increase, the larger size will likely keep its range at around 483km.
