New Hyundai Kona, Other Small SUVs 'Just Enough'

The Hyundai Kona isn't just another subcompact sport utility vehicle (SUV) in a long line of models in the hotly contested segment. It's a tech-heavy, electrified-option people mover that is heavy on style and practicality.

Others in the segment, like the Subaru Crosstrek, Buick Encore GX, and Chevrolet Trailblazer fit the same mold. What they don't have is the Kona's powertrain diversity. That is only shared with the Kia Niro, which is a winner for many of the same reasons the Kona is.

Kona and Niro go beyond what is budget-friendly, giving buyers the freedom of choice without sacrifice, in a right-sized package.

"The Hyundai Kona is a strong contender in the growing compact crossover space that appeals to many types of consumers. It packs a ton of value for the budget conscious and offers one of the most affordable entry points for an electric vehicle powertrain," Paul Waatti, manager of industry insights at AutoPacific told Newsweek.

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"Kona has just enough fashion-forward styling to stand out from the mostly vanilla pack in its segment without alienating more conservative buyers."

This year is shaping up to be a big one for buyers of small SUVs with numerous models undergoing complete model redesigns or significant refreshes. There's also been a few introductions, like the Buick Envista, which replaces the Encore as the company's entry point vehicle.

Kona and Crosstrek join new Chevrolet Trax, Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Dodge Hornet, and Alfa Romeo Tonale models on dealer lots this year. Similarly sized new Honda HR-V, Niro, BMW X1, Lexus NX and Volvo C40 Recharge models went on sale last year.

A fresh Nissan Kicks is expected later in 2023, and a new, small Volvo vehicle will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Chevrolet predicts that its new Trax model will become the company's third best-selling vehicle in 2024 behind the Silverado pickup truck and Equinox compact SUV. Silverado and Equinox are set to have all-electric versions arrive in the marketplace soon.

"Sales performance has been somewhat impacted by availability however, Corolla Cross and Crosstrek have experienced an increase in sales performance within this segment over the past few years," Tony Salerno, vice president at J.D. Power, told Newsweek.

"The arrival of new products this year such as Kona and Trax may have an initial advantage due to consumers who have been eagerly anticipating their launch. As supply continues to rise, the price competition in this segment will become more intense, and differentiation in style and technology offerings will be advantageous for those products that execute it well," he said.