2018 Hyundai Kona slots in between Creta and Tucson

The 2018 Hyundai Kona crossover is a surprise reveal, considering we figured they had every segment covered with the Creta, the Tuscon and the Hyundai Santa Fe. Riding on a brand-new B-segment platform, the Kona previews a funky styling that some say will show up in their aforementioned offerings as well.

The Kona will be offered with a pair of four-cylinder engines, mated to both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive setups, and with future electrified models are on the way. On the base model, the Kona will have a naturally aspirated 147 hp 2.0-litre engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and do 0-100 kph in 10 seconds, with a top speed of 193 kph. A more powerful 175 hp 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-4 will also be on offer, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, doing the 0-100 kph run in 7.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 209 kph.

Europe will also get a 118 hp 1.0-litre turbocharged inline-3 with a six-speed manual transmission, aside from a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel option.

Depending on the drivetrain, the Kona can be fitted with two different rear suspensions. With front-wheel drive, there’s a torsion beam setup, but opting for all-wheel drive gives you a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension.

On the technology front, the Kona will come packed with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a choice of 5-inch, 7-inch, or 8-inch infotainment displays. Hyundai will also offer a new head-up display that projects graphics onto a dash-mounted transparent panel.

Hyundai will also offer blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention warning, high beam assist, lane keep assist and more.

The Hyundai Kona will hit the roads of South Korea later this month. It is unclear if the Kona (or its upcoming Kia Stonic sister model) will be offered in the GCC anytime soon.