Bold new look for Hyundai Kona

This popular crossover has won thousands of fans in recent years, but its latest styling might not be to all tastes.

The Hyundai Kona N-Line has eye-catching style.

Hyundai has locked in Australian details for its bold-looking Kona, a compact SUV tipped to replace the i30 hatchback in showrooms across the world.

The new model wears what Hyundai describes as a “futuristic EV-led design” marked by razor-thin LED lights and interesting design details inside and out.

Hyundai’s new Kona crossover is tipped to replace the i30 hatch in coming years.

The brand says the model sets a new standard for small SUVs, delivering a more spacious cabin loaded with tech including twin 12.3-inch digital displays in high-grade models.

A floating dashboard joins improved connectivity with Hyundai’s Bluelink app, along with bolstered safety thanks to the addition of a front centre airbag.

The new Kona is available with a choice of three motors.

The Kona N-Line looks sharp.

The standard engine is a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that uses 6.6L/100km of petrol to send 110kW and 180Nm to the front wheels through a CVT automatic transmission.

Premium models use 7.6L/100km to send a turbocharged 146kW and 265Nm to all four wheels through a conventional eight-speed auto that replaces a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Green buyers can choose a 1.6-litre hybrid that sips 3.9L/100km of petrol while producing 104kW and 265Nm.

Blade-like lights feature at the front and rear.

Electric versions will join the range before the end of the year.

Hybrid models are available to order now, but won’t reach Australia until the fourth quarter of 2023.

The simplified range starts from $32,000 plus on-road costs (about $5000 more than before) for a basic Kona 2.0-litre model.

A purposeful N-Line pack adds a body kit with 19-inch wheels, along with a sporty interior benefiting from leather and Alcantara trim, a dark-coloured headliner and red highlights for $36,000 plus on-road costs with the standard motor, or $40,000 with the hybrid or turbo variants.

The new Hyundai Kona has a modern-looking cabin.

The N-Line treatment is standard on turbo models, but not the Hybrid which can be found in basic trim priced from $36,000 plus on-roads.

All three engines can be had in Kona Premium trim for an extra $6500 that brings leather trim in a choice of three colours – black, grey and green – plus a powered tailgate, sat nav, a Bose stereo and more.

A successor to the high-performance 2.0-litre turbo Kona N is unlikely, as the model’s 206kW/392Nm is too thirsty for increasingly stringent European emissions laws.