Hyundai reveals more details of new Kona

HYUNDAI has disclosed further details about its second-generation Kona small SUV ahead of its Australian arrival in mid-2023, including dimensions that show it to have a 60mm uptick in wheelbase length, contributing to 77mm more legroom and 11mm extra headroom in the second-row seats.

Internal combustion Kona variants will arrive in Australian Hyundai showrooms from mid-year, with the hybrid and electric versions following in the fourth quarter.

The South Korean manufacturer also claims the revised Kona’s second-row shoulder room, expanded to 1402mm, is now the largest in its class.

Measuring 4350mm long, 1825mm wide, 1580mm in height and with a 2660mm wheelbase, Hyundai says the new Kona offers the best “habitability” for passengers, with seats now measuring just 85mm in thickness to free up “living space” for passengers.

Appreciably, cargo space has also grown with up to 723 litres available with the second-row seats folded flat. The powered tailgate is also programmable for height and speed of opening.

Up front, the column-type electric shift-by-wire gear selector set behind the steering wheel allows more space for an open-style console. Front seat passengers will further benefit from a relaxation comfort seat option that Hyundai says is optimised for ‘weightless’ body pressure distribution to help alleviate fatigue after long-haul driving.

As well as more interior space and practicality wrapped in a futuristic new look, the second-gen Kona brings extra tech including over-the-air software updates, dual 12.3-inch infotainment and instrumentation screens, and various advanced driver assistance system and safety systems.

These include forward collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, reverse parking collision avoidance, safe exit warning, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot cameras and high-beam assist.

Semi-autonomous driving functions include navigation-connected adaptive cruise control, lane following assist, highway driving assist and and remote smart parking assist.

A surround-view monitor and front, rear and side parking sensors aid with low-speed maneuvers.

In its domestic market, the Korean-made Kona will be offered from launch with a choice of 146kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol or 110kW/179Nm. 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engines. 

The hybrid model uses a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine paired with an electric motor to develop a combined output of 104kW/265Nm.

Hyundai said it will provide further details about the all-electric Kona – as well as market specific information and pricing – in March.

“We make a Kona for practically everyone and every lifestyle, with a range of advanced powertrains and a host of technologies and design features that will add value to our customers’ daily lives,” said Hyundai Motor Company executive vice president of vehicle development technology Heui Won Yang.

“Hyundai is committed to providing an optimised mobility experience to satisfy the varied lifestyles of our customers.”