Hyundai has unveiled the 2021 Kona with a facelift and has also introduced a new Kona N Line variant as a sporty model.
Now, the front profile of the car looks much sharper, with the stretched bonnet, thin LED DRLs, unique headlights, chunky bumper that integrates with the front wheel arch cladding and a skid plate.
There are aero inlets integrated into the bumper corners to improve airflow as well. The side remains more or less the same, while at the back, there are new taillights, and a new bumper with protective cladding.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona facelift is 40 mm longer than the outgoing model and comes with 16-, 17- and 18-inch wheels. Further, there are five new exterior colours to choose from, apart from there being dual tone options where the roof is painted black.
Kona N Line on the other hand gets body coloured claddings (it is black in the regular car), ditches the skid plate in favour of a front splitter with fins, the air intake is larger, while the grille mesh design and surface treatment is different. It also gets 18-inch alloys, diffuser at the back and a one-side double muffler.
Inside, the Kona gets more legroom and cargo capacity, while the dash is nicely laid out, with circular two air vents, 10.25-inch digital cluster, 10.25-inch infotainment screen with several new connectivity features including the latest Blue Link upgrade, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Other features offered include ambient lighting that illuminates the center cup holders as well as in the passenger and driver side footwells, and new aluminium finish rings around the speakers and air vents.
New colours and materials are also offered with the Kona, while on the N Line, the interior is in black only, although there is red stitching, metal pedals and N logos dotted around to tell people that it is a “sporty” trim.
Engine options include – a 1.6-litre T-GDI Smartstream motor (198 PS) mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, 1.6-litre Smartstream diesel (136 PS) with 48-volt mild hybrid tech. It is mated to either a DCT or 6-speed iMT, 1.0-litre T-GDI Smartstream petrol (120 PS) which can be had with mild hybrid tech and iMT.
Moreover, the 2021 Hyundai Kona facelift is also available as a hybrid, featuring a 1.6-litre GDI engine and 32 kW electric motor with a combined output of 141 PS, paired with a 6-speed DCT.
Although depending upon the variant, the Kona comes in 2- or 4-wheel-drive, one exception is the Kona N Line paired with the 1.6 T-GDI powertrain and four-wheel drive, as it gets specific steering tuning to match the character of the vehicle.
Arriving at showrooms overseas towards the end of the year, the car is expected to continue to do well. The new Kona Electric, on the other hand, will be revealed soon and will carry over the powertrain and driving range of the current version.
2021 Hyundai Kona Facelift
- Hyundai has revealed the 2021 Kona facelift
- The SUV now gets a sporty N Line variant as well
- Comes with multiple powertrain options, hybrid introduced too
