Kona takes on CX-3

Hyundai’s is tackling the burgeoning compact SUV market.

Dubbed Kona, the all-new softroader has been the subject of a number of leaks and teases. It will arrive in Australia around late-September with the choice of front or all-wheel drive, two petrol engines with automatic transmissions, and a raft of safety and technology features, some of which the company claims are class-leading.

While final specification and pricing details are not yet available, the all-new Kona baby SUV will arrive Down Under in three trim levels.

The entry-level model will be powered by a 110kW/179Nm, 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai claims a 0-100km/h time of 10sec and a top speed of 194km/h.

Mid-grade and top-spec models will get a more powerful 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. These variants claim a 0-100km/h time of 7.7sec and a top speed of 210km/h.

A fuel-sipping 88kW/172Nm 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission will be available in Europe but will not be sold here.

Aussie Kona buyers will also miss out on a diesel option, at least initially, with the 1.6 turbo-diesel available in other markets, including Europe, not slated for Australia.

“With the Kona, we have created a stylish and highly functional compact SUV, perfectly suited to the needs of customers who pursue challenging, action-filled lifestyles,” Hyundai Motor Company Vice Chairman Euisun Chung said at the new vehicle’s official unveiling.

“We aim to set new standards for the compact SUV segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class leading safety features,” he stated.

Although down year-on-year, the compact SUV segment remains an important retail battlefield Down Under. Mazda’s CX-3 is the top performer with over 19% share, closely followed by Mitsubishi’s ASX.

Kona will seek to take share from the top two, as well as top performers, Nissan’s Qashqai and the Honda HR-V.

Based on an “all-new, sub-compact SUV platform”, the Kona features a McPherson strut front suspension, with a torsion beam rear axle for 2WD variants. A more sophisticated multi-link set-up is fitted to all-wheel-drive models.

Hyundai is boasting “best-in-class interior space” for the Kona, while its increased road clearance and elevated seating position are par for the course in this segment.

At 4.165m long, 1.8m wide, and 1.55m tall, the Kona is 110mm shorter and 35mm wider (and the same height) as the top-selling CX-3. The Kona’s wheelbase, at 2.6m, is just 30mm longer than the Mazda’s.

The Kona’s split-folding rear seats fold flat, with a two-level loading floor that allows room for larger objects like bikes.

While not quite as funky as the Suzuki Ignis or Toyota C-HR, Hyundai’s designers have taken a similarly liberal approach with the Kona’s exterior styling.

The car is defined by its short overhangs, bulging wheel-arches, chunky bonnet sculpting, a large trapezoidal grille and a Jeep Cherokee-style twin-headlight design with strip of LED daytime running lights perched above the LED headlights.

Adding further interest is a two-tone roof with contrasting black plastic ‘armour’. Buyers will be able spice up the look further with “a number of playful color variations”.

Hyundai says the progressive, sporty styling of its new city-SUV points to the design of future Hyundai SUVs, including next year's all-new Santa Fe.

The contemporary feel continues inside, where the upmarket presentation is reminiscent of the latest i30 hatchback.

It comes similarly appointed with tech including Hyundai’s first head-up display system. This uses a pop-up panel on the instrument binnacle and will be fitted to the top-spec local Kona.

Hyundai says the 8.0-inch projected colour image (which displays key driving information including navigation and lane departure alerts directly in the driver’s line of sight), will feature a class-leading luminance of 10,000 candela per square metre to guarantee daytime visibility.

The Kona also features a premium infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and up to 8-inch display.

Hyundai says Oz-spec versions of the Kona will be available with a “comprehensive suite of active safety features”, many of which, it claims, are not available on local rivals.

These extend to automated emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot detection, lane change assist, high beam assist, and driver attention warning.

Australian pricing is yet to be announced for the Kona. It is, however, expected to sit in a price range to match its key rivals.