The Hyundai Kona is also making a PH comeback

Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) has been incredibly busy the past few months, bringing back and launching the Elantra at April’s 2025 Manila International Auto Show, then the heavily-updated Creta just last week.

We’re also getting hints of a comeback for the Accent nameplate, but there’s more. It looks like the Kona subcompact crossover is also making a comeback, teased on the Korean automaker’s social media pages today.

The Kona was one of Hyundai’s more popular models in our market when the nameplate was launched in 2018. When the brand relaunched in 2022, it was no longer part of the lineup. With this possible comeback, it will sit between the Creta and Tucson as a more premium subcompact crossover offering.

Larger than the previous generation, the new Kona wears a more futuristic and streamlined appearance, mixed with rugged cues in the form of large amounts of black plastic cladding. The interior also follows a similar theme as the brand’s latest products.

We don’t know what powertrains HMPH plans to offer for the Kona locally, but to be most competitive with direct rivals such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V, we’re expecting it to go fully-electrified.

We could see it powered by a 1.6-liter Smartstream G engine paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery. This combination produces a total of 141 horsepower and 265 Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Sounds familiar? It’s the same powertrain on the Elantra HEV.

A fully-electric version is also available in various markets which if launched here as well could become an alternative to the BYD Atto 3 which is currently the most popular battery electric vehicle locally.

Whatever we get, we’re sure that Hyundai Motor Philippines is banking on the nameplate’s previous successes in our market. If priced competitively, we think this will become a hit once again.

_{Photos by Sam Surla and Hyundai}