A Spicier Hyundai Kona And A Performance Oriented N-Line Variant Is In The Works

• Cosmetic changes include a sharper front bumper, new grille, sleek split headlamps and new LED DRLs.

• The N Line variant gets a different bumper, a mesh grille and larger air intakes all around.

• Powering the N Line variant could be the 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine sourced from the Elantra N Line.

• Expect a global debut by the end of this year.

• Expect the Kona Electric to eventually get this facelift and make its way to Indian showrooms.

The Hyundai Kona is set to get a significant mid-life refresh for the first time since it was globally launched back in 2017 with the carmaker releasing teaser images of the updated SUV.  In addition to this a new spicier N Line variant has also been teased alongside it. And we can say is that the upgrades are set to be comprehensive.

The teaser image for the facelifted Kona reveals that it will follow Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy that’s been common in modern Hyundai models. The front end is more aggressive than before with an all-new front bumper with skid plates, new grille, and  a sleek set of split headlamps with LED DRLs.  

The N Line variant takes things up a notch with a different front bumper, a new grille in a mesh design, larger air intakes  and what looks like three small air intakes just above the grille. A  closer look and you’ll notice the Hyundai logo has shifted from the top of the hood to the mesh grille in the Kona N Line. 

Further details on the updated Kona are yet to be revealed, but we can expect bits like a touchscreen infotainment system, connected car tech and wireless charging to be retained along with feature additions. Under the hood, the standard Kona could soldier on with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines. The N Line variant on the other hand could be powered by the 201PS/264Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine that was recently introduced in the 2021 Elantra N Line.

Expect Hyundai to debut the two Kona SUVs by the end of this year in South Korea. Back home, we’ve currently got the all-electric iteration of the Kona SUV that retails from Rs 23.75 lakh to Rs 23.94 lakh (ex-showroom). Expect Hyundai to introduce a similar facelift to the all-electric version eventually, and make its way to Indian showrooms soon after.