New Hyundai Kona SUV OFFICIALLY revealed as Hyundai take on the compact Urban SUV market

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The Hyundai Kona Compact Urban SUV is officially revealed as Hyundai add a new small SUV to their range to tackle cars like the Nissan Juke.

It seems like the Hyundai Kona SUV has been around for ages, with more teases for Hyundai’s new compact SUV than you can shake a stick at, and even a photo of the new Kona completely undisguised on a promo photo shoot.

But now the Kona is official, and it looks, in may ways, to be Hyundai’s most convincing effort to date. Which, considering how far Hyundai has come in the last decade, is saying something.

Hyundai are clearly looking for a less traditional buyer than its current buyer demographic with the Kona, and its bold styling and funky feel should certainly appeal to younger buyers. But the Kona isn’t so bold it will send older buyers running off to the competition either. It’s a clever trick.

The twin headlight arrangement and cascading grille at the front, standard fit roof rails, bold plastic cladding, short overhangs (particularly at the back) and almost rakish roofline make the Kona stand out without going the ‘Fugly’ route.

Inside is rather more conventional Hyundai than the exterior, and if you’ve been in an i30 recently a lot of what is on offer will look familiar.

That means good quality plastics, a splash of exterior colour for the highlights, a central infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, technology like heads-up display on offer as well as decent sound system.

Engine choices will be a pair of petrol engines, with Hyundai’s 1.0 litre T-GDI getting 118bhp and a six-speed manual, and the 1.6 T-GDI 174bhp and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox,a s well as all-wheel drive.

There should also be a 1.6 litre diesel later on 2018, but that probably depends on the ongoing diesel fallout.

It looks like the new Hyundai Kona is heading for Hyundai’s UK showrooms in November, and although prices haven’t been released for the Kona in the UK, a starting point of around £14,500 seems likely.