The stunning new Hyundai Kona arrives in 2023 to provide a striking new option in the small SUV sector.

Hyundai's Kona was one of the first cars to adopt a choice of electric and hybrid models across its range – but as the Korean brand has leaned more towards electric vehicles, its small and popular SUV risked falling behind rivals on its styling.  This year that is set to change with the Mk2 Kona, as shown in the images below.

For starters, the second-generation Kona will be bigger than the original model – 25mm wider and 150mm longer, at 4,355mm, only 70mm shorter than the rival Kia Niro.  Hyundai expects that a 60mm wheelbase increase will help resolve two main issues with its predecessor: boot space and limited capacity for rear passengers.

Before transporting the same elements to the combustion-engined power variants, the all-electric version was designed first.  Hyundai’s design team, guided by SangYup Lee, has given the Kona's new exterior a more modern, muscular and futuristic look.  The outcome has resulted in a sophisticated and suave front end, with a single light bar spanning the bonnet's leading edge and pronounced wheelarch extensions that provide the new Kona with a more stylish stance than its predecessor.  The light strip – which Hyundai has named the Seamless Horizon Lamp – will be pixelated on the electric model, along with a section of the lower bumper, to help connect this SUV to the Ioniq 5 and 6 models.

The Kona will sit on 19-inch alloys, and the flanks will have more chiselled and sharper surfacing than previously, with pronounced wheelarch cladding, helping to reflect the Kona’s positioning between the all-electric SUVs in Hyundai’s line-up and the likes of the Tucson.  

Further to the hybrid and electric models, Hyundai is also introducing a successor to the existing sporty N Line model.  It will get a larger spoiler, black trim detailing on the roof and side mirrors and reprofiled bumpers that reflect what is likely to be a lower ride height.

The interior of the second-generation Kona is set for a significant upgrade.  The only image released by Hyundai shows a much more luxurious and superior look, with plusher and brighter materials than the existing grey plastics used across most of the main areas.  The fascia has a slimmer ‘single line’ vent design, styled to make the interior feel wider.  The new Kona will thankfully maintain physical buttons for climate control and other significant functions, and it also makes excellent use of colourful ambient lighting. 

The dashboard features a 12.3-inch central display and likely a 10.25-inch digital instrument screen combined into a single ‘floating’ panel in the typical Hyundai way.

Hyundai's designers have also moved the gear selector from the centre console to behind the steering wheel, and the Korean brand says this provides more space between the front seats, delivering increased storage.

Although Hyundai hasn't released technical details, the Kona will move to the K3 platform, the same architecture used by the sister model Kia Niro.  It means the new Kona will offer the same range of ICE, HEV and EV engines as the well-received Kia Niro.

You can expect the most affordable version of the new Hyundai Kona, the ICE variant, to use a 1.0-litre turbo engine integrated with a 48V mild hybrid system, producing approximately 120PS and averaging around 47mpg.

A more economical Hyundai Kona HEV will utilise a 1.6-litre petrol engine combined with a small self-charging lithium-ion battery, producing around 139PS and an average of 64mpg.  Hyundai may offer the new Kona as a plug-in hybrid model with a 180PS drivetrain and 11.1kWh battery, delivering a pure electric range of around 40 miles.

The new Hyundai Kona all-electric SUV will have a 64.2kWh battery, producing an electric range of around 300 miles, combined with 201PS of power.  It’s expected to take approximately 45 minutes to top up the Kona EV from 10 to 80% capacity when using a 70kW rapid charger.  Further technical information about the new Hyundai Kona will be revealed by Hyundai nearer to launch.

The new Kona should be available to lease later this summer.