Should Hyundai Motor PH bring back the Kona?

The Hyundai Kona was at some point one of the most popular subcompact crossovers you can buy in the Philippine market. It came at the right time, when more car buyers started shifting towards crossovers instead of sedans and even larger PPVs. 

Eventually, it got left behind when its rivals had more value-packed offerings with better and more modern tech, especially those from China. When Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) took over last year, it was no longer part of the lineup. Does it still have a place here?

Let’s take a look first at the current Hyundai Kona. HMPH recently flew us to Seoul, South Korea to visit the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show where we saw on display the Kona Electric which was once available here in the Philippines as well. Now in its second generation, it is far from what it was before.

On its exterior it now wears Hyundai’s “Inside Out” design theme that we first saw on the Hyundai Staria and Stargazer. That gives it a way more futuristic look with its full-width LED light bar in front and at the back. While the regular Konas get black plastic cladding for a rugged look, the Kona Electric swaps them for body-colored ones for a cleaner look. Regardless, they look very similar with minor differences from each other.

Inside, the second generation Kona is also a whole new world with its more modern and tech-filled appearance akin to their other new products as well. It gets a dual curved screen layout for the instrument cluster and infotainment, and even a column-mounted shifter for space practicality. The Hyundai logo on the steering wheel is also replaced with four dots which means “H” in morse code.

As for its powertrains, the Kona is available with plenty of choices. First is a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline engine that produces 147 hp and 180 Nm of torque, then a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that makes 195 hp and 265 Nm of torque. These options are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

As for its electrified versions, the first is a hybrid composed of a 1.6L paired with an electric motor, producing 139 hp and 265 Nm of torque. Finally, the Kona Electric is powered by either a 48.4 kWh or a 65.4 kWh battery. The former makes 154 hp and 255 Nm of torque with a driving range of 342 km, while the latter produces 215 hp and the same amount of torque, with a driving range of 490 km.

Now whether Hyundai Motor Philippines will bring this model back is what we don’t know. Right now, the brand is offering the Creta as its contender in the subcompact SUV segment although it is priced more in line with models from China. We think the Hyundai Kona would make good sense to compete at a higher price bracket with the likes of the Subaru XV, Honda HR-V (turbo), and Toyota Corolla Cross (hybrid).

What do you think, should Hyundai Motor Philippines bring the Kona back to the local market as a more premium subcompact SUV?