Hyundai Kona Facelift (2020): pictures, data, equipment

Of the Hyundai Kona is a constant in its segment. So: a small size. Because the mini-SUV, which has been on the market since 2017 and recently became the two best-selling cars in its vehicle class, is pleasantly short at 4.17 meters and yet six centimeters longer than the top seller in the segment, the VW T-Cross. With the facelift 2020, its design will be beefier. Hyundai is also modernizing its bestseller in the interior, infotainment and engines. All the details about the facelift.

The Hyundai Kona 2020 at a glance

• Mini SUV in the B segment, since 2017
• It is available as a combustion, full hybrid and electric car.
• Facelift 2020 with new mild hybrid diesels and gasoline engines
• New equipment variant N Line, more assistants, modern infotainment
• Hyundai Kona market launch at the end of 2020, the hybrid will follow in 2021.
• Hyundai Kona Electric Facelift will also follow in 2020

The Hyundai Kona is currently running in Germany. In the unrepresentative Corona year 2020, it is comfortably in the top ten SUV registrations with a good 12,000 copies sold by the end of July. And across all segments. With the small SUVs in the so-called B segment, Hyundai even sees itself in the top position for July and August. It actually belongs to the VW T-Cross.

Still: second place Renault Captur, Skoda Kamiq or Ford Ecosport can be seen as a success. The success is likely to be related to the range of engines: the Kona has been available as a gasoline and diesel engine since 2017, as well as purely electric since 2018 and as an economical hybrid since August 2018. The facelift should increase the attractiveness. Hyundai does not change the look of the Kona, but a lot of small things. All in all, that makes a huge difference. Above all, the wider grille and the new headlights make it look beefier.

Test: This is how the Hyundai Kona Hybrid drives

Hyundai Kona 2020: Diesel and gasoline engines with 48-volt technology

Behind the new front are known and revised engines. Nothing changes in the hybrid. Here a 141 PS (101 kW) 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine continues to work together with a 32 kW electric motor. Its energy comes from a 1.56 kWh battery. The smallest petrol engine remains the 1.0 T-GDI with 120 PS (88 kW) and six-speed manual transmission.

The mild hybrid version is new. Hyundai couples the small turbo with an electric motor in the form of a belt starter generator (RSG) that is connected to a 48-volt network. It supports or relieves the gasoline engine when starting up and at low loads in order to save fuel. It is shifted either automatically with the seven-speed double clutch (DCT) or manually with the newly developed six-speed transmission called 6iMT. Its clutch works electronically and can decouple the motor when rolling, for example. The Kona then “sails” with the combustion engine switched off. That lowers consumption.

The same technology is also available in the 1.6 CRDi diesel with 136 hp, which always drives as a mild hybrid. Hyundai is taking the weaker version of the 1.6 CRDi with 115 PS out of its range with the 2020 facelift. The most powerful gasoline engine is much more powerful. The further developed engine delivers 198 HP instead of 177 HP as before and always shifts with DCT. Diesel and top gasoline engines are optionally available with all-wheel drive. So far, Hyundai has not given consumption data for any engine because it has not yet been homologated.

Interior, infotainment and equipment in the Hyundai Kona facelift

Hyundai only modified details in the interior of the Kona facelift. The clear basic structure remains. A few new details and materials are distributed here and there. The mechanical handbrake flies out and makes way for an electrical one. This creates space for more shelves. Rear seaters can now warm their bums if they wish and get a USB connection. There is now a height adjustment for the front passenger seat.

For the 2020 facelift, the Kona cockpit will be given a digital instrument panel with a 10.25-inch screen. So far the instruments were still analog. The large infotainment system already had a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The wireless smartphone connection via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is new. Telematics services can be used via Hyundai’s Bluelink app, such as calling up live traffic data or information about free parking spaces.

None of this is part of the standard equipment. But Hyundai is making improvements here too. The standard infotainment screen grows to eight inches. So far, the radio only came with a 7-inch diagonal.

The new sporty equipment line N Line, which Hyundai is rolling out across all model series, is also available in the revamped Kona. It includes a different front with larger air intakes, wheel arches in the body color, different side skirts and a different rear apron with diffuser insert. In conjunction with the most powerful petrol engine, the N Line also has a more sporty steering system. The steering is being revised for all models at the same time, as is the chassis. This should now become more convenient and remain dynamic.

The seats in the Hyundai N Line can be covered with fabric, leather or suede on request. Any color is available as long as it is black. Some red N-Line logos are distributed in the interior. The other equipment lines should be analogous to the lifted one Hyundai i30 change slightly. Pure will remain the basic equipment, followed by Select and Trend. Instead of Style and Premium, however, N Line and Prime should round off the range at the top.

New assistance systems in the Hyundai Kona 2020

Hyundai improves the assistance systems for the facelift. The emergency brake assistant, which recognizes cars and pedestrians, and from 2020 cyclists as well, has been part of the standard equipment. But only optional. The new start-up warning system will also be part of the standard equipment. It alerts the driver when the vehicle in front starts again. Do you need it?

You can get more information about driver assistance systems here

The optional distance cruise control now works to a standstill and starts up again automatically after a short stop. If the driver overlooks an approaching car, the lane change assistant makes it difficult to leave the lane by applying targeted braking. The cross-traffic warning for the rear has already been available, but Hyundai now also offers it in conjunction with DCT. And it now actively intervenes if the driver overlooks crossing traffic. The exit assistant is new. It warns against opening the rear door if a vehicle approaches from behind. In an emergency, he locks it.

Hyundai Kona Facelift 2020: Market Launch and Prices

Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Kona N Line will be available from German dealers at the end of 2020. The Kona Hybrid will follow in early 2021. The Hyundai Kona Electric will be lifted separately. It is quite possible that the Koreans are trying to tease out a little more range with a software update. We also hope for more extensive route planning functions in the navigation system.

Prices for the Hyundai Kona facelift are not yet available. A slight increase is likely, in principle nothing will change in the level. Currently (September 2020) the Kona 1.0 T-GDI in the basic Pure version costs around 18,000 euros. The style of the 136 hp diesel is close to 27,000 euros, the large gasoline engine starts at around 25,500 euros. Because of the increased performance, it could be a little more expensive.