Facelifted 2021 Hyundai Kona is Launched - Priced from RM119,888 Onwards - Details and Preview Video in Here

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HDSM) has launched the facelifted Hyundai Kona compact SUV yesterday (Friday the 16th of April 2021). It features some slightly different exterior styling tweaks as well as some little changes inside together with more advanced features and equipment. But didn't Hyundai just launch the Kona here very recently? 

Kona 2.0 Active

Well, yes they did but when you are one of the smaller volume players in a very tightly regulated market like Malaysia you needed to cater to various factors that need not be considered elsewhere. Like should be locally assemble the car or not and if we do so would it have been cost effective in the long run? Many variables did not allow the Kona from dropping in earlier when it was launched in 2017 rather than 2020 and if you note the pandemic lockdown also created issues.

Kona 2.0 Standard

So we now have the newly facelifted 2021 variant of the Hyundai Kona. This is a really good looking SUV before it was facelifted and now, after its facelift, may look better to more. For the moment, HSDM has only brought in two 2.0liter variants which are the RM119,888 Kona Standard and the RM136,888 Kona Active -(both on the road with road tax but without insurance). These two are competitively priced while still being fully imported from South Korea from the looks of it.

So the facelifted model has been launched via the internet, as we are still under the pandemic Movement Control Order here. However I was invited to preview the car in all of its glory so there is a video on Motoring Malaysia's YouTube channel where we get to preview the car and most of its latest details for you. Go watch it below. There are actually more details and more visual description of the car than in this article.

Anyway, the upgraded Kona is exclusively equipped with the new Smartstream G2.0 Atkinson powertrain. The Two-Wheel Drive KONA Smartstream G2.0 Atkinson four-cylinder petrol engine that is coupled to  a Smartstream IVT transmission. It makes 149 PS of power at 6,200 rpm and 180 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The Smartstream engine offers dynamic performance with a smoother, comfortable driving experience, reduced emissions and better fuel efficiency.

There have been some slightly changes to the exterior in terms of the front and rear bumpers as well as the rear lights. New rear light cluster layout and slight tweaks to the rear bumper as the main change seems to be at the front. The change was mainly to the already unique 3 level headlight setup. It is still a 3 layered type front end but the change to the headlights in the middle have actually changed the personality of the Kona. The new one is more rounded and smoothened out compared to the chunkier looking pre-facelift model. Just a simple styling tweak actually made the front end look more streamlined rather than looking SUV squared off a bit. But it still works as things do look a little different. 

Inside, you do get more stuff in the 2.0 Active which comes with a digital instrument cluster like the new Hyundai Elantra as well as added active safety equipment. Both standard and Active also get auto start function from the key fob for more convenience. 

“With a bold, progressive design and adventurous personality, the KONA has become an icon in its segment. We are more confident than before of the Hyundai KONA’s success in Malaysia despite the fierce competition in this segment,” said Mr Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

Mr Low added that the KONA’s design is very distinctive and unique. The redesigned front and rear of the car give the KONA a sleek, sophisticated look while keeping its robust signature style to make it even more appealing to customers who lead active lifestyles.

“Its distinctive look makes it stand out from any other model in its class. The Kona is also targeted for those who want to stand out in the crowd and be different. It’s an agile and stylish car that can take you anywhere, be it for an adventurous outing or just for a city drive,” he said.

Other than that, for those who want some extra poke in the form of the Kona 1.6 Turbo, you would have to wait as HSDM have stated that they are in the planning stages of bringing in that hotter variant later. But as it is, you do get a lot of upgrades in this 2.0 Active variant also. Details of what has been changed are in the video above and also stated below.

Details of the 2021 Hyundai Kona Facelift (Taken from the official Press Release)

The striking new front-end design of the new Kona stands out with eye-catching, protective cladding panels which are accentuated by the thin LED daylight running lights (DRLs). Its newly designed bold grille complements the curved bonnet design, while the main bumper fascia connects smoothly to the wheel arch claddings, forming a unique and robust armour in a contrast to the main body. The skid plate on the lower bumper embraces the lower air intake and visually complements the shape of the main upper grille. Integrated into the bumper corners are vertically oriented aerodynamic inlets that improve air flow.

At the rear, the new taillights feature horizontally stretched graphics. These reflect the unique identity of the front-end light design. The new rear bumper, which also follows the protective armour concept of the front and sides, also uses a contrasting material. In addition, the latest model comes with updated 17- or 18-inch wheel designs.

The KONA is also now 40mm longer than the previous model, giving it a sleeker and more dynamic look that complements its wide, strong visual stance.

Entering the cabin, one will notice a redesigned interior that expresses a more upscale and progressive look than its predecessor. The new console area is separated from the instrument panel to emphasize the horizontal layout. The dashboard appears wide and airy to create a generously spacious atmosphere. An electric parking brake with autohold function is added as a new convenience feature in response to customer demand. Additionally, the new Kona now also gets a remote engine start function by using the smart key.

The new interior is completed by new colours and materials. New seat cover options include a black woven houndstooth design, cloth seats with black and grey embossing and perforated leather seats in black or beige.

New to this model is a 10.25-inch digital cluster that is only available to the KONA Active variant, in addition to the 8- inch AVN screen with multiple Bluetooth connections. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard for both variants which also include Waze and Google Map for navigation convenience.

The KONA Active is equipped with a range of safety and driver assistance features, offering a comprehensive safety suite such as the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA); and Safe Exit Warning (SEW), which detects oncoming vehicle from the rear and then displays a visual and audio warning to alert the passenger from exiting the vehicle. Other safety enhancements include Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) and High Beam Assist (HBA). The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) has also been upgraded with pedestrian and vehicle detection.

Four new colours options are available with the Kona Standard, namely Chalk White, Galactic Grey, Surfy Blue and Pulse Red while the Active variant comes with five new exterior colours, including Surfy Blue, Dive in Jeju, Ignite Flame, Dark Knight, and Misty Jungle.

The KONA comes with a five-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty and also 3-year or 50,000km (Whichever comes first) free maintenance service. It is available for viewing at all Hyundai showrooms nationwide.