Hyundai Kona Getting A New Face, Hot N Variant For The New Model Year

Almost three years after it first broke cover, the Hyundai Kona is getting ready for its first mid-cycle refresh, with our spies capturing a camouflaged test car on camera on a frozen lake in Northern Europe.

Don’t mind the thick layers of camo, as the subcompact crossover is expected only with minor visual revisions. We heard that it will sport revised headlights and taillights, bumper updates and perhaps a reworked grille, in addition to a few tweaks in the cabin, probably surrounding the infotainment system and trim.

The entire engine lineup is understood to soldier on, albeit perhaps with small updates. Thus, the facelifted Kona will continue to be offered with petrol and diesel power units, as well as hybrid and electric powertrains. The latter could undergo a few revisions, likely with emphasis on a slightly bigger range. The outgoing iteration has an EPA rating of 258 miles (415 km) with the 64 kWh battery fully charged, which powers the 201 HP (204 PS / 150 kW) and 291 lb-ft (394 Nm) of torque electric motor.

Sitting at the top of the range is expected to be the Kona N. The sporty model is understood to pack the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in the i30 N hot hatch, producing 250 PS (246 HP / 184 kW). The engine is believed to drive the front wheels only through a six-speed manual transmission.

Expect the Kona N to feature an upgraded chassis, with bigger brakes and revised steering, as well as a model-specific body kit that will include more aggressive bumpers and larger side skirts. The bigger wheels and new colors will round up the visuals on the outside.

Hyundai should uncover the facelifted Kona in a few months, followed shortly by the hot N derivative.