Following on from a teaser image released last week, Hyundai has now fully revealed its updated Kona crossover, and it's getting new styling and some new engines.
Sleeker lights, bigger grille
That new styling looks a little cleaner, and a little less bluff at the front than that of the previous version. The grille is wider and larger, the upper-deck LED lights rather slimmer, while the lower main-beam lights look a little better integrated. The overall look is somewhat smoother and sleeker.
There's also now the option of a sporty-looking N-Line model, which gets a beefier bodykit, body-colour for the wheelarches and cladding, and a more aggressive grille and bumper treatment, plus 18-inch alloy wheels.
Around the back, the Kona is a little less obviously different, but there are new brake lights with wraparound LED highlights, and N-Line models do get a prominent diffuser-style decoration in the lower bumper.
Inside, N-Line versions get a dedicated N-Line colour package in one-tone black with cloth, leather or suede seats. In addition, there's distinctive red stitching, metal pedals and N logo on the gear shift and on the seats.
Standard Kona models get 16-inch alloy wheels, with the option of 17s or 18s, while the Konda Hybrid model gets either 16-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels. The styling changes have also made the Kona a little longer, by 40mm, than before.
There are new colour options too, including Surfy Blue, Dive in Jeju, Ignite Flame, Cyber Gray and Misty Jungle and all of the Kona's colours can optionally be combined with a contrast black roof.
New touchscreen
Inside, the basic design hasn't changed all that much, but trims and materials have been upgraded for a higher-quality feel, while the centre console has been more obviously separated out. There's also the addition now of an electronic parking brake, new ambient lighting systems (including light-up cupholders), and a woven 'houndstooth' material for the seats.
There's also a new 10.25-inch touchscreen, which comes with an ever-increasing number of connectivity options. There's a customisable user profile, which can be transferred to other Hyundai vehicles that the driver might be using, plus the ability to swap navigation data from your car to your phone. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection has been upgraded to a wireless one.
The Kona's safety suite has also been improved. Smart Cruise Control (SCC) has been upgraded to include the stop and go function. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), available in combination with the DCT, has been enhanced too, engaging the vehicle's differential brakes to prevent a collision if another vehicle is detected near the rear corner (blind spot) and the driver attempts to change lanes. One feature new to this model is Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), which alerts the driver if they do not react fast enough when the vehicle ahead of them starts moving. Another is Lane Following Assist (LFA), which automatically adjusts steering to assist the driver to keep in the centre of the lane.
The forward collision alert system now includes, optionally, cyclist detection and there's a reversing cross-traffic alert system too. The Kona now also gets Hyundai's Rear Seat Alert (RSA), which alerts the driver if someone or something is in the back seat when they go to exit the vehicle. Another safety feature primarily intended for the protection of children, Safe Exit Warning (SEW) is intended to prevent passengers from exiting the vehicle if it is not yet safe to do so.
Upgraded engines
The Kona's engine lineup has also been upgraded. There's a new range-topping 1.6 T-GDI turbo petrol engine, with 198hp, and 48-volt mild-hybrid tech for the 1.6, 136hp, 'Smartstream' diesel engine as well as the updated 120hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder 'Smartstream' turbo petrol engine.
Hyundai's new iMT manual transmission, with its electronically-controlled clutch, will also be available as an option and brings with it the ability for the car to coast, engine-off, for short bursts to help save a little more fuel. The existing 141hp 1.6-litre hybrid model is carried over.
The Kona's suspension has also been upgraded, with new anti-roll bars, as Hyundai wants to make it a more comfortable car, but without sacrificing sportiness. The springs and dampers are new, too, and there's recalibrated steering too.
The new Kona will go on sale towards the end of this year, and we'll bring you Irish prices and specs when we have them.