Second-gen Hyundai Kona more details out, debut expected this year

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hyundai Kona first went on sale in 2017 and in less than six years, this Korean SUV has received a generation upgrade. Hyundai revealed the initial details of the upgraded Kona back in December and it has now come up with a full gallery of the car along with additional technical specifications, hinting at its soon arrival.

As announced last month, the second-gen Kona will be offered in four versions - pure ICE, hybrid, pure-electric, and an N Line in South Korea. The internal combustion iteration will continue with the two ongoing options viz. a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine making 147 hp and 179.5 Nm of torque and a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine with rated output as 198 hp and 265 Nm.

The hybrid Kona, on the contrary, will come equipped with a 1.6-litre GDi engine hooked with an electric motor churning out a combined maximum power of 141 hp and a peak torque of 265 Nm. The electrified SUV will be mated to an Intelligent Variable Transmission. As far as the specifications of the new Kona EV are concerned, we have to wait a bit more as the automaker will be unveiling the same later in March.

Moving to non-mechanical upgrades, the new Kona is bigger than its predecessor. It measures 4,350 mm in length and 1,825 mm in width, making it 145 mm longer and 25 mm wider. The wheelbase has also grown to 2,660 mm with an increase of 60 mm.

The upcoming Koa will also offer a roomier cabin kitted with advanced technologies such as dual 12.3-inch hi-tech displays supporting OTA updates, memory seats, a wireless charging tray, and NFC (near-field communication) tech converting your smartphone/smartwatch into a digital key. 

The second-gen Kona will also assist the driver more intuitively and effectively with the help of the following systems - 

• Forward Collision-avoidance Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Safe Exit Warning
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• High Beam Assist. 
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control
• Lane Following Assist
• Highway Driving Assist
• Surround View Monitor
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Forward/Side/Reverse Parking Distance Warning
• Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Remote Smart Parking Assist

Well, the second-gen Hyundai Kona will not be coming to Malaysia anytime soon. But, fortunately, we have a slew of new Hyundai models in line to enter the local shores this year, including the new Palisade, new Santa Fe, Creta, and the Ioniq 6 EV.

Also read: ASEAN NCAP safety rating for Hyundai Creta & Stargazer is out