The new Hyundai Kona facelift has been
spied on test in South Korea, where it will be launched in the second half of this
year. It will be followed by the new Hyundai Kona Electric facelift. Hyundai had introduced the Kona as its global
Honda HR-V rival in June 2017. Now, it is preparing a mid-cycle update for what
happens to be its first SUV with an offbeat design. The main design highlight
of this funky B-SUV is its front end with split headlamps, or ‘composite lamps’
in Hyundai’s terminology. This was the first model to embody the company’s new
SUV family identity.
Hyundai usually gives its vehicles
significant design changes with their mid-cycle refresh. However, that is
unlikely to be the case with the Kona. The new Kona facelift is expected to
feature comparatively mild revisions. Expect a new grille pattern at the front
and rear lights, new alloy wheels and altered bumpers.
Inside, the 2021 Hyundai Kona could
feature a new, fully digital instrument cluster and an enhanced touchscreen
infotainment system. Unlike the old model, the new model will likely feature
eSIM and maybe a number of new connected vehicle services.
Hyundai could introduce two new engines in
the Kona with the mid-cycle refresh. We expect these to be the 1.5-litre DPi
N/A petrol unit (110 PS/144.2 Nm) and the 1.5-litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol
unit (160 PS/253 Nm). Moreover, the company may introduce a 48V mild-hybrid
system and offer it optionally in the 1.0-litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol
engine (120 PS/172 Nm) and as standard in the 1.5-litre T-GDi engine. We expect
it to roll out a 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission also. This new
transmission could be offered with the 48V mild-hybrid system-equipped engines.
