Hyundai Unveils Small Crossover

Hyundai Motor Co. is expanding its crossover/SUV lineup with the subcompact Kona, which will be launched later this month in South Korea.

The all-new vehicle (left) will be introduced in Europe this autumn and in the U.S. in 2018. Annual global sales are targeted at nearly 200,000 units, about one-fourth of which are projected to be in Korea.

The new crossover is built on a 110-inch wheelbase and stretches 164 inches from bumper to bumper, making it the carmaker’s smallest crossover vehicle—until a new micro model is launched in 2020.

Hyundai currently makes the larger Grand Santa Fe, Santa Fe and Tucson crossovers, which are sold globally, and the tiny Creta. The latter is targeted toward emerging markets. Hyundai also is developing a large SUV, but it hasn’t said when that vehicle will be introduced.

The Kona, which is named after Hawaii’s lava-lined coastal district, initially will give buyers the option of a 1.0- or 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The larger engine will be available with four-wheel drive. A 1.6-liter diesel and all-electric variant will be added next year.

Available safety technologies will include a collision avoidance system that automatically applies the brakes when an imminent collision is identified. Other goodies include lane-keeping assist and a driver attention warning system.

Among the Kona’s styling cues are Hyundai’s cascading grille design. A new head-up display system also is in the works.