The all-new Hyundai Kona has been announced this week, deriving its title from the coastal Hawaiian region of the same name. Set to be launched globally in the months ahead, the Kona will likely make its first appearance at this month’s New York motor show.
The Kona will sit below the Tucson in the Korean manufacturer’s local line-up, going toe-to-toe with rivals like the Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR.
It’s the first time Hyundai will have a player in the smallest crossover segment in Australia. although the company offers the Creta in China and the i20 Active in European and select Asia-Pacific markets. Sister company Kia is set to follow with its own version of the Kona at some point in the next 12 months.
The teaser image (top) previews the upper part of the Kona’s two-tier headlight design – similar to the look worn by numerous Citroen models – a feature noticed on spy photos of pre-production versions of the company’s smallest SUV.
Hyundai claims the Kona will offer best-in-class interior space, and has been developed with a focus on driving dynamics and looks to set new performance standards for the segment.
The Kona name also continues Hyundai’s (mainly US) tradition of naming its SUV and crossover models after acclaimed travel destinations – Creta, Santa Fe, Tucson and Veracruz to name a few.
Scheduled to make its way to Australia in the second half of 2017, the Hyundai Kona will likely be unveiled in the coming months, and could make its debut as soon as the New York motor show in a few weeks.
For more updates on the Hyundai Kona, stay tuned to CarAdvice.
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