Hyundai Motor Company has revealed the 2023 Hyundai Kona range in the international markets. We can’t help but notice that it looks like a baby Tucson. Here are all the details.
Design
Hyundai has updated the Kona range. The range includes four different powertrains – ICE, Hybrid, Electric, and the N-Line. All the four variants share the same architecture but they have some unique styling elements. However, the design for all the variants has the Kona EV as the inspiration. Now, we also think that the designers might have borrowed a couple of pages from the design book of the new Tucson and maybe a page from the Creta. But hey! We ain’t complaining.
The silhouette of the Konas atleast from the side, resembles the new Tucson. It has the same sloping roof and those angular crease lines that we saw on the new Tucson. Move to the rear and you’ll notice that the continuos tail strip might be just like the one on the current Creta. The front has a futuristic design and since the Kona EV was the inspiration for the entire range, the visibility of the air intake grille is bare minimum. The front is flanked by LED headlamps which also have a new futuristic design along with a LED strip running across the hood. Also, there is no parametric grille that we see on newer Hyundais.
Dimensions
Well, we wouldn’t be wrong to call the new Kona a baby Tucson because it is not as big. Although, it has grown in size when compared to the outgoing model. It is now 4355 mm long, 1825 mm wide, 1570 mm tall, and the wheelbase now stands at 2660 mm. The wheelbase is just 90 mm short of the Tucson’s wheelbase. Anyway, this means that the new Kona is now bigger and has more space that it had before. This is good news as the outgoing Kona felt pretty tight at the rear.
Will it Come to India
Hyundai already sells the Kona Electric in India which infact was the first EV to enter the Indian shores. However, the model is dated and needs a refresh to compete with the likes of the MG ZS EV and the BYD Atto 3. We can safely say that at least the Kona EV will make it to India. The ICE, Hybrid and N-Line models may or may not be coming to India soon. However, we don’t see a reason for Hyundai to not bring them in. With Hybrid cars now coming into the Indian market, Hyundai can think of bringing one of their own. Also, the i20 N-Line and the Venue N-Line have already tasted success. A Kona N-Line will only get us more excited.
We will have to wait and see if Hyundai makes certain announcements at the 2023 Auto Expo.