The Hyundai Kona has been a fixture of the automaker’s South African catalogue since 2018, but it may not be around for that much longer.
The second generation of the quirky-looking crossover was unveiled in 2022 and has already gone on sale in markets including South Korea and will soon also reach European dealerships, with three different powertrains comprising a standard petrol model, a hybrid, and a battery-electric (BEV) variant.
Hyundai South Africa confirmed to TopAuto that the new Kona in petrol and hybrid guise is still “under consideration” for a domestic introduction, meaning they could, but they also might not launch in the country.
There has been no word on the BEV specification, so even if the petrol and hybrid Kona do make it to local showrooms, it’s unlikely that the electric one will.
What we know so far
The new Kona was designed from the ground up to be an electric vehicle, with the petrol and hybrid powertrains being adapted at a later stage in the development cycle.
As such, it’s expected that the petrol engines will be carried over from the current models, meaning buyers will likely have a choice of two different units.
The current line-up includes a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with 110kW and 180Nm connected to a CVT, and a 1.6-litre turbo with 146kW and 265Nm married with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
While not much has been confirmed regarding the Kona hybrid derivative, the expectation is that it will share many similarities with the Kia Niro which is available in both mild and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) form.
The mild hybrid uses a 1.6-litre engine in tandem with a single 32kW motor, letting it produce 103kW and 265Nm while averaging 4.4l/100km on a typical fuel cycle.
The PHEV, meanwhile, uses the same petrol unit but features a larger 62kW motor and a dedicated 11.1kWh battery, which affords it an all-electric driving range of 53km.
It’s been revealed that the new Kona will be offered in both its base Executive form as well as the higher-tier N Line trim with a sporty body kit.
Therefore, the crossover is set to offer fittings such as LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, ambient cabin lighting, wireless charging, two 12.3-inch displays, and modern assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic assist.
The wheelbase measures 2,660mm and the body is slightly larger than its predecessor, resulting in improved cabin space, too.
Join the discussion