Futuristic, premium and bigger. With these three concepts we could define Hyundai’s commitment to the next generation of the Hyundai Kona. The South Korean brand has revealed the first images of its small suv And, although there are no details beyond that dynamic presence and a driver-focused interior, he has confirmed that there will be four versions. The Hyundai Kona 2023 still has a place for combustion engines… and sportsmanship.
With the new Hyundai Kona, the South Korean brand seeks to meet the diverse mobility needs of its customers with a variety of powertrains. There will therefore be four variants, which include a fully electric, a hybrid, an internal combustion engine and… yes, a sportier one conceived under the N line. All will feature universal architecture, but each will have a unique style.
The 2023 Hyundai Kona is a larger SUV, but still focused on urban use. It sits on the K3 platform manufactured by Hyundai and also used for the new Kia Niro. To provide maximized living space for the driver and passengers, has grown to 4,355 meters long: six inches more than the previous generation, taking into account the electric variant. It also gains 2.5 centimeters in width and its wheelbase is six centimeters greater.
More muscle for the new Hyundai Kona
Hyundai has explained that, unlike most vehicles, they first began designing the electric Hyundai Kona and then continued with the rest of the variants. The SUV sports a more muscular and technological appearance with a more sophisticated front end, where a single strip of light runs across the front edge of the hood: this is what the brand calls the Seamless Horizon Lamp. In the EV version, it will be pixelated next to an area of the lower bumper. The pronounced front wheel arches give it more presence and, in the combustion version, they slip in at the front to house the headlights.
In the profile of the Hyundai Kona, the marked diagonal crease on the sides connects the satin chrome trim, located on the beltline, with the rear spoiler, creating a contour that wraps around the entire vehicle. The rear presents another Seamless Horizon, while the brake light appears integrated into the upper trim.
A design for each variant
As we said, depending on the version, we will find specific elements in its exterior design:
- Hyundai Kona EV: It features pixel graphic accents on the front grille and rear bumper, a pixel-inspired 19-inch alloy wheel design, a black wraparound line, and optional black roof and mirrors.
- Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Kona HEV: they share a bold and resistant design with a bumper that performs protection functions, as well as black wheel arches.
- Hyundai Kona N Line: Its design will be more aggressive with a wing-shaped bumper to emphasize a lower stance, specific 19-inch alloy wheels, side skirts, black roof and mirrors (also optional), rear spoiler and dual exhaust outlets.
Sensations inside the Hyundai Kona 2023
Hyundai has only published an image that reveals what the interior of the Hyundai Kona 2023 will be like. In it, you can see a more premium cabin with higher quality materials than the current ones: not in vain, gray plastics now prevail and are used, even in key areas.
Surrounded by ambient lighting, a dashboard emerges with a pair of screens (baptized as C-Pad) horizontal and floating, measuring 12.3 inches: one will be for the instrument panel and the other for the infotainment system. Designers have moved the gear selector from the center console to the rear of the steering wheel to free up space between the front seats, thus allowing for additional storage.
In front of the passenger seat, the ventilation system appears, which follows the prevailing trend within the Hyundai Kona 2023: horizontal lines to make the cabin appear larger. In the back row they have opted for a bench design for its occupants and on the trunk they have not ruled: it should be remembered that the current model has 374 liters of capacity.
The mechanical range of the new Hyundai Kona
Hyundai has reserved the information regarding the engines of the Hyundai Kona 2023: We only know that there will be a combustion variant, a hybrid and an electric one. The brand has revealed that, in the coming months, they will offer more details about it.
Taking into account that its starting point is the K3 platform, we could expect the heat engine to be the 1.0 gasoline with three cylinders and 118 CV: the turbocharged 2.0 four-cylinder would be reserved for the N.
The version hybrid could continue using the combination that is born from the union between the 1.6 gasoline and the electric (43 CV), which generates a joint power of 140 CV and a maximum torque of 270 Nm. The electric Hyundai Kona 2023 could have the same scheme as the current Kia Niro: a 204 hp and 255 Nm motor, powered by a 64.8 kWh battery that promises a range of 463 kilometers.