Next-gen Hyundai Kona spied

Hyundai has been spotted testing a small SUV in Korea and all signs point to it being an all new-generation Kona, not least the conspicuous handwritten sticker on the prototype’s A-pillar.

The prototype SUV was caught on camera by Shorts Cars in Korea, sporting a decidedly boxier silhouette inspired by the rugged Crater concept revealed late last year.

Perhaps the most obvious giveaway that this isn’t just a facelifted Kona is the handwritten ‘SX3 K’ sticker up front, denoting its internal codename, which conveniently follows the current-gen Kona’s ‘SX2’ codename.

It’s thought the next-gen Kona will ride on the same underpinnings as the current SUV, meaning its dimensions and wheelbase – and therefore, cabin space – could go unchanged.

Although not much can be seen behind the cladding designed to disguise it, the angular prototype is seen rolling on 18-inch wheels and features flush door handles, but whether it adopts the Crater’s pixelated lighting signatures remains to be seen.

Inside, leather-appointed upholstery features throughout, and when it comes to tech, expect a large tablet-style display as Hyundai rolls out its latest Android-based Pleos Connect infotainment system.

The current Hyundai Kona arrived Down Under in 2023 and was expected to be facelifted before an all-new model arrived, given the typical seven-year lifecycle of a vehicle generation.

It now looks like the Kona will buck that trend and the new-gen SUV could arrive as soon as 2027.

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