2020 Hyundai Kona bookings open in Malaysia; launch in Q4

KUALA LUMPUR: It was just yesterday when Hyundai Malaysia released the teaser of the upcoming Hyundai Kona SUV on its social media account, and we were anticipating its soon launch. Well, Hyundai Sime-Darby Motors has announced its plans to launch the SUV in Q4 of 2020 and is now inviting interested customers to place their bookings at any Hyundai showroom starting from today. 

As a fully imported CBU model, Kona will be the third Hyundai SUV in the country; Tucson and Santa Fe being the other ones. It rides on a new compact SUV platform targeted at consumers with active lifestyles and will lock horns against Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, and Mazda CX-3.

Hyundai Kona carries the brand’s new design identity with an expressive and powerful front dominated by a signature cascading grille. A low and wide pose complements the SUV’s voluminous and aggressive body for great looks and comfortable handling in urban as well as adventurous driving environments. 

Key highlights of the Hyundai Kona are:

• LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running light illumination 
• Exuberant exterior colour options with a contrasting roof 
• Striking interior colours with contrast stitching on the steering wheel and seats, paired with colourful seatbelts
• 7-inch infotainment floating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability
• Hyundai Smart Sense 
• Heads-up Display (with active pop-up display screen)
• Wireless device charging

Although Hyundai did not reveal the Hyundai Kona engine specs, it is likely to get the powertrain fitted in the model shown at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show. That was a 1.6-litre turbocharged gasoline engine producing 177 PS of power and 265 Nm of torque, transferred to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

Coming to the Hyundai Kona price, the automaker has yet to reveal it, but the brand’s official website mentions that it will start from RM 115,000.

“We are excited about the launch of the Kona as it’s an entirely new product for us in this segment, and we are reassured of a good response for the Kona. The Compact SUV is in great demand not only in Malaysia but globally as well,” said Mr. Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

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