2018 Hyundai Kona: We Have Questions (and a Photo Gallery)

CARS.COM — The upcoming, all-new 2018 Kona that debuted at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show is a smart move by Hyundai. Shoppers have been eschewing cars for SUVs, and Hyundai’s lineup has been car-heavy for a while. A subcompact SUV like the Kona should have a great chance of boosting sales.

Having said that: What’s up with that mustache, Hyundai?

Related: More 2017 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

There’s a little strip of grille above the larger main section that’s an … interesting(?) design choice, to be Minnesota-nice about it. Or wait, is it a unibrow between the two running-light “eyes?” Is this a clever ploy to land Bert from “Sesame Street” as a spokes-Muppet?

And what’s the story with all the cladding? It’s not the best-looking design choice, plus it copies the Subaru Crosstrek and signals off-road ability that almost certainly isn’t there. Is it a Pontiac Vibe thing where later models won’t have the cladding and I’ll say, “Hey, that’s not a bad-looking … oh, it’s a Kona,” and get mad?

I demand answers, Hyundai.

But, hey, the interior looks nice and spacious and just the right amount of fun, at least. Good job there.

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