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2018 Hyundai Kona; Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry

If you think there’s been an SUV explosion during the last couple of years, you’ve been paying attention, and the class that’s been expanding at a record pace is also the smallest. Automakers are rushing to add a subcompact SUV to their lineup, and one of the newest to join the fray is the Hyundai Kona — it’s also one of the most interestingly styled in the class. 

Related: 2018 Hyundai Kona Video Review: What Makes the Kona So Special?

The Kona slots below the Tucson compact SUV in the automaker’s lineup and marks a new design direction for the brand. Its overall look is more playful and rugged than Hyundai’s other SUVs, and as a result, it stands out — far out.

Front and center is the automaker’s hallmark grille, but a new headlight setup adds a funky dimension. Skinny LED daytime running lights sit high on the corners, and the headlights sit lower in a pod formation flanking the grille. The Kona also wears a generous amount of black cladding on all sides that gives it a rough, outdoorsy effect.

We pit the Kona against key rivals in the subcompact SUV class in an upcoming Cars.com Challenge. Check back Monday to see how it fared.

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