Hyundai is reportedly working on a funky, electric SUV that could challenge the Chevy Bolt
Called the Hyundai Kona, the funky blue vehicle will join the automaker's growing line of SUVs that includes the Tucson and Santa Fe. The compact and mid-size SUV segment is one of the hottest out there, accounting for 35% of all US car and trucks sales in 2016.
Hyundai says the 2018 Kona will come with a gasoline and diesel engine options. A 2.0-liter engine option will offer 147 hp and 132 lb.-ft. of torque and will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The vehicle will first go on sale in Korea later this month before hitting the market in North America and Europe.
Hyundai will eventually offer an electric powertrain option that can drive over 200 miles on a single charge, German publication Auto Bild reported. But it's unclear when a battery-powered version will officially hit the market.
An electric Kona would fall in direct competition with the Chevy Bolt, which can drive 238 miles on a single charge. Car markers from Jeep to Jaguar are planning to reveal battery-powered SUVs by 2020.
The 2018 Kona will come with a suite of safety features like forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind spot collision warning, and rear cross-traffic collision warning.
It will also come loaded with advanced tech features like wireless smartphone charging and a heads-up display that shows navigation, lane-departure warning, and speed. Hyundai will offer 5-, 7-, and 8-inch display options that offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.