Hyundai has now done exactly that with its new Kona, which in time will replace the more MPV-like iX20. It’s got a USP too, in that it will be available in petrol, diesel and fully electric guises, which is a first for this class of car. Plus there’s another, more obvious, a trait that makes it stand out: the styling.
No doubt about it, this is one of Hyundai’s braver designs, up there with the quirky Veloster (remember those?) for love it or loathe it appeal. So there’s the split headlights, chunky wraparound bumpers and some lurid paint options (Acid Yellow anybody?), while the poshest of Konas also ride on bling 18-inch wheels.
Things continue to look promising when you realise that, unlike sister brand Kia’s Stonic, this compact SUV is not a high-riding version of the i20 supermini but has its own bespoke platform. That’s so it can facilitate that forthcoming electric model, which is due to arrive in the middle of 2018 and will have a range from a single charge of around 240 miles.
Even then, however, it’ll be the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo engine making up the bulk of orders. With 120hp and 172NM of torque, it’s one of the more powerful entry-level crossovers, which makes the £16,195 starting price of the range appear fairly aggressive. Hyundai really does throw a lot of equipment at its cars too.
All Konas come with alloy wheels, cruise control and DAB radio, and by the time you’ve moved up to a Premium SE, as tested here, there are luxuries such as a heated steering wheel, air-conditioned seats and a head-up display, not to mention colour-coded seat belts and dash inserts to liven up the interior.