Star model for Hyundai, the Kona will give way to a second generation in the spring of 2023. But beyond the passing of the baton, the Kona surname will grow in importance in the range to such an extent that it could even eclipse the i30. Explanations.
At the end of the year, the second generation of the Hyundai Kona will be unveiled, this SUV is known internally under the code SX2. Beyond a new version, the Kona will take even more importance in the range.
TO READ. SUV. All models expected in 2022 [calendrier]
Hyundai Kona, a family story
Presented in the fall of 2017 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Hyundai Kona surprised by its style which at the time could seem divisive and also by its surname. Since then, the Korean SUV has met with great success, in particular thanks to its wide range of engines: electric and hybrid in addition to the 4×2 and 4×4 thermal versions. Not forgetting the sporty N Line and Hyundai Kona N strong of 280 hp. The Hyundai Kona was restyled in 2020. Confident, the Korean brand will rely more on its star model and will decline a real family with the second generation that could eclipse the Hyundai i30. This explains its more generous format as seen in the photos. Unsurprisingly, it should be technically common with the new Kia Niro, presented in November 2021 and expected in the second half of 2022 in dealerships. The latter has been confirmed with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric engines.
A new Kona Crossover?
This strategy, the manufacturer did not look far, he simply drew inspiration from his cousin Kia which is part of the same group. The latter is successful on the C segment with the help of the Ceed label, which is available in the form of four bodies: a compact sedan and station wagon, the Kia ProCeed shooting station wagon and finally the XCeed crossover. Note that in Europe, sales of the latter are higher than those of the entire Hyundai i30 family made up of the sedan, the station wagon and the i30 Fastback variant which is struggling to find its place. Therefore, for Hyundai, it would be logical to restructure its offer for the C segment around the name Kona which is much more promising than the surname i30. And to offer an alternative to the Kia XCeed, a compact crossover project is in the pipeline. This “Hyundai i30X” was flushed out in Korea by the site’s photographers thekoreancarblog.com. It remains to be seen what it will be called.
