- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr Ar
Hyundai Kona SUV. 1st generation, 2020 restyling
The Hyundai Kona is one of the most popular Hyundai models. This is a compact front-wheel drive SUV with an eye-catching design, which has not only petrol and diesel versions, but also hybrid and electric ones. After the restyling, the N Line sporty modification has appeared. The first generation Kona debuted in June 2017, and was restyled in September 2020. In the model range of the manufacturer, the more fashionable and advanced Kona stands above the Creta, but below the Tucson and Santa Fe.
Exterior
The restyled vehicle, which initially had a bold and quirky front end design, has become even more unusual. The 2020 model features a wider radiator grille and more compact lighting, new bumpers with large elements of unpainted black plastic. This scratch protection has increased the length of the vehicle by 40 mm, to 4,205 mm from nose to tail. A more ‘off-road-like’ image is intended to emphasize the difference from the N Line ‘sports’ version, which has a completely different body kit, painted in body color, 18-inch wheels with low-profile tires and other little things (as of 2021, the sports version is not available in Israel).
The 2020/2021 Hyundai Kona is 1,800 mm wide and 1,550 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. The trunk volume is small and amounts to 374 liters or 1,156 liters with the seats folded down.
Interior
The restyled SUV has not only been changed outside, but also inside. The interior looks very strict, featuring a new center console, new side vents and expanded lighting. The parking brake lever has been replaced by an electric version. It is possible to order light beige or khaki trim options, whereas second-row passengers now have heated seats and two USB ports. The media system screen has grown from 7 to 8 inches.
Powertrains
The new Hyundai Kona comes with a 1.6 T-GDI turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine or a 1.6 diesel engine. The Israeli market offers only petrol versions, which are equipped with a 7-speed DSG. Front-wheel drive vehicles have semi-independent rear suspension, and all-wheel drive versions with multi-link rear suspension are not available. After restyling, the power of petrol engines has increased from 177 to 198 hp, and the chassis settings now ensure better traveling comfort (other springs, shock absorbers, stabilizers).
Israeli buyers have a chance to purchase a hybrid version of the 2021 Hyundai Kona: a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle GDI petrol engine produces 106 hp and 147 Nm. The synchronous electric motor is built into a 6-speed dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission, generating 44 hp and 170 Nm. The Kona Hybrid does not have a charging connector and a purely electric driving mode. The peak output of the unit is 141 hp and 265 Nm, and the lithium-polymer traction battery has a capacity of only 1.56 kWh. But this battery helps saving fuel: specified consumption is 4.3 liters of petrol per 100 km in the NEDC cycle. Acceleration to 100 km/h occurs in 11.2 seconds.
Equipment
After the restyling, the new Hyundai Kona has received an expanded list of options, including virtual instruments and an automatic braking system. The equipment of all vehicles sold in Israel is diverse, and the top versions have blind spot monitoring systems, lane departure warning and automatic braking (with pedestrian recognition) systems, a multimedia system with an 8-inch display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto applications, as well as instrument readings projector on a separate screen in front of the windshield.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona Hybrid (two trim levels are sold in Israel) was the first in the family to acquire the most advanced media system with a 10.25-inch screen (instead of 8 inches), as well as a new collection of wheels and a palette of body colors. After the restyling, the adaptive cruise control ‘learned’ to resume movement after a short stop. There is also an automatic reverse braking system (and previously you could only receive a warning about the presence of an obstacle).
