Hyundai Kona launched - a new rival to the Ford EcoSport.

This B-segment SUV is developed on a platform aimed at young customers, with 2-liter or 1.6-liter gasoline engines and a 1.6-liter diesel engine.

Hyundai has launched the Kona, its first B-segment SUV, in its home country of South Korea. This model, developed on a new platform, joins the global SUV segment alongside its larger siblings, the Tucson, Santa Fe, and Santa Fe Sport.

Like previous Hyundai SUV models, the Kona takes its name from a geographical location. Kona is the name of a coastal area in Big Island, Hawaii (USA). This area is known for its vibrant and dynamic lifestyle, which is also the lifestyle that the Kona aims for.

Hyundai Kona has been launched in South Korea.

The new model has a wheelbase of 2,600 mm, a length of 4,165 mm, a width of 1,800 mm, and a height of 1,550 mm. It features slim, blade-like LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and a distinctive cascading grille (Cascading Grille). Hyundai calls this headlight cluster "Composite Lamps." The hood and body showcase muscular, prominent lines.

Hyundai uses a black roofline design that extends to the C-pillar, giving the car a longer, more dynamic, and sportier feel. Similarly, the wheel arches are also finished in robust black. The rear design is similar to the front, featuring small taillights, high-mounted fog lights, and a muscular rear bumper.

The distinctive cascading grille.

The South Korean automaker claims the Kona boasts class-leading interior space. The company's AVN screen offers three functions: Audio, Visual, and Navigation. The layout of the function buttons and air vents is modern, similar to the exterior. The HVAC system includes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

The car has Android Auto or Apple Car Play connectivity. The new HUD (Head-Up Display) technology allows drivers to see clearly in both daytime and nighttime conditions.

The engine is a 2-liter MPI Atkinson producing 147 horsepower and a maximum torque of 179 Nm at 4,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10 seconds and has a top speed of 194 km/h. It uses a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The rear of the car has a similar design inspiration to the front, with small taillights and high-mounted fog lights...

Two other engine options are the Gamma 1.6T-GDI producing 175 hp and 265 Nm of torque at 1,500-4,500 rpm, with a top speed of 210 km/h, and a 1.6 diesel version for markets such as Europe. Both are paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Finally, European customers can opt for a smaller engine option: a 1-liter T-GDI turbocharged 3-cylinder producing 118 horsepower and 172 Nm of torque. This option includes all-wheel drive and three driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport.

The Kona boasts a comprehensive range of safety technology, a feature not found in many B-segment cars. Its driver assistance package includes forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, automatic high beam assist, and driver distraction warning. Additionally, it features blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

At the launch event, Hyundai also introduced the Kona Iron Man edition, featuring exterior design highlights such as special LED lights, 19-inch wheels, an Iron Man-themed grille, and an additional 40 mm of width.

The company's AVN screen has three functions: Audio, Visual, and Navigation.

The Kona will go on sale in South Korea next month, followed by North American and European markets. A representative from Hyundai Vietnam stated that the company is considering bringing the Kona to Vietnam to compete in the B-segment with the Ford EcoSport, but the possibility of importing or assembling it locally is still uncertain.

To be competitive on price, the preferred option is domestic assembly.

According to VNE