Hyundai to Debut Kona, a New Compact SUV, in 2018
As the SUV segment in America continues to grow and gas prices remain reasonably low across the country, more and more drivers are choosing to opt for larger vehicles to accommodate their busy lives. That’s why Hyundai has announced the arrival of a new, groundbreaking sub-compact SUV designed to fit everything you’re looking for in an SUV into a fantastically compact package.
The all-new Hyundai Kona will join Hyundai’s award-winning line of SUV vehicles, which includes the Grand Santa Fe, the Santa Fe and the Tucson. With its uber-cool modern design, ample cargo space and wide range of creature comforts, the Kona will unquestionably become a favorite among families young and old.
Continuing its tradition of naming SUVs after travel destinations, Hyundai has dubbed its latest SUV “Kona” for the Kona district on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hyundai believes that the island’s “energetic image and unique lifestyle” will come through in the Kona’s dynamic features and family-friendly design.
“The Hawaiian destination is valued by North Pacific adventurers as a base for many thrill-seeking activities, including surfing, water skiing and scuba diving, among other extreme sports,” a representative for Hyundai said in a recent press release. “The island’s energetic image is reflected in the innovative, practical and highly functional design of Hyundai’s new lifestyle-focused SUV.”
A teaser image released late last month revealed that the Kona subcompact crossover SUV will include some updates to the standard Hyundai profile. The Kona will prominently feature twin headlamps which include LED daytime running lights that sit on top of the regular headlamps. The vehicle will have a wide stance, an elevated seating position, and “voluminous, aggressive body styling.”
But not everything about the Kona will be a departure from the traditional Hyundai look–the vehicle will adopt the brand’s tried-and-true cascading grille design that we’ve seen on the 2018 Sonata and the 2018 Elantra GT. Spy shots circulating on the internet suggest that the Kona will also share its interior design with the Elantra GT; both vehicles showcase their free-standing touchscreen systems in the middle of a cleanly-designed dashboard.
We’re still not sure what engine options might appear in the new Kona, but experts believe the manufacturer will at least offer all-wheel drive. The Kona will compete directly against the Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, Nissan Juke, and the Chevrolet Trax.
Unfortunately, we still have a while to wait before the Kona hits American shores. The vehicle will debut in the Korean market this summer before heading stateside in early 2018.
But don’t worry–Rosen Hyundai has plenty of incredible, family-friendly, sleekly-designed SUVs for sale. Come visit us today for an up-close look at any of our available SUVs and size up your options while you wait for the Kona to arrive.
