The next-generation Hyundai Kona, internally codenamed SX3, has been caught thanks to our colleagues at SH Proshots undergoing hot-weather validation testing in southern Spain. Shedding the heavy, bulky vinyl covers seen on early development mules, this lightly disguised prototype reveals a bolder, more upright SUV stance inspired by the brand’s rugged design direction rather than the sleek, hatchback-adjacent crossover profile of previous iterations.
Seltos-Derived 1.6-Liter Hybrid & Electric AWD
Under the skin, the Kona SX3 adopts the mechanical blueprint directly from the all-new Kia Seltos, delivering a substantial upgrade in both capability and electrical architecture:
Standard 1.6L Hybrid (FWD): Produces a combined 154 hp, re-engineered for improved thermal efficiency and fuel economy.
Electric All-Wheel Drive (E-AWD): Integrates a dedicated electric motor on the rear axle to deliver on-demand all-weather traction and an increased output of 178 hp. Crucially, this electrified all-wheel-drive configuration is confirmed for the U.S. market.
EV-Inspired Features & V2L: Borrowing tech from dedicated battery-electric platforms, the hybrid powertrain integrates Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities, enabling the high-voltage battery to power tools, appliances, or camping gear directly from the vehicle.
Cockpit Overhaul: Enter "Pleos Connect"
Inside, the SX3 takes a major leap toward software-defined mobility. The prototype reveals an open, airy cockpit anchored by a large central screen and Hyundai’s next-generation Pleos Connect platform.
Already rolling out across the wider group, Pleos Connect brings an Android Automotive-based core with high-speed over-the-air (OTA) updates, seamless smartphone integration, and advanced voice processing. The gear selector migrates to a column stalk behind the wheel, freeing up the center tunnel for an open "bridge" console layout with massive lower storage.
Hybrid Powertrain
Despite Hyundai already offering a hybrid powertrain in several markets, the U.S. market still lacks a high-demand hybrid variant that will be resolved thanks to the next-generation Kona.
Taken directly from the All-New Seltos, the 1.6-liter Hybrid engine now has better fuel economy and EV-like features like V2L and the option to have an Electric AWD system with a small electric motor in the rear axle. This new powertrain reaches 154 hp, while the E-AWD model has 178 hp.
Software-Defined Mobility: The “Pleos Connect” Debut
The most critical evolution of the SX3 is its transition into a Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV). The Kona is slated to feature Hyundai’s next-generation platform, Pleos Connect.
Market Positioning: Kona SX3 vs. Kia Seltos
While the Kia Seltos has traditionally won on size and value, the SX3 Kona aims to win on technological superiority and refinement. With the Seltos continuing its current life cycle, the Kona’s aggressive hardware and software update gives it a clear window to capture the “early adopter” demographic in the Korean and global markets.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.