Just before six months since the Hyundai Kona first made its local debut here in Malaysia, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors has now introduced the new Kona facelift here on our shores.
The new Hyundai Kona is available in two variants – 2.0 Standard and 2.0 Active, with prices starting from RM119,888 on the road, without tax, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions.
EXTERIOR
The new Hyundai Kona retains a lot of the funky styling elements from the original model, with the facelift just freshening things up slightly. Most noticeably is the redesigned front fascia, characterised by the chunky plastic claddings that wrap around the front fenders.
The grille on the front has also been widened and shortened, while the letterbox grille above on the pre-facelift model has been replaced by the large Hyundai logo. On the sides, the the LED-daytime running light – which comes as standard across both variants – have now been slimmed down, while the main headlights below it also get a sleeker housing.
The range-topping variant gets full-LED headlights, split into three individual beams, while the standard variant gets halogen projectors. To differentiate things a little more between the two variants, the turn signal indicators on the 2.0 standard variant is located on the main headlight assembly, while the range-topper gets integrated LED turn indicators together the daytime-running lights.
Over at the rear, the tail lights get a new horizontal light signature reflecting the design of the front lights, while the combination light cluster at the bottom also gets a new look, the latter being LED for the 2.0 Active, and halogen for the standard variant.
Left – 2.0 Standard; Right – 2.0 Active
Two wheel sizes are available – 17-inch items for the standard, and 18-inch for the range-topping 2.0 Active – both of which are new designs.
Colour options are split according to variants as below:
- Kona Standard: Chalk White, Galactic Grey (pictured), Surfy Blue, Pulse Red
- Kona Active: Surfy Blue, Dive in Jeju (pictured), Ignite Flame, Dark Knight, Misty Jungle
PERFORMANCE
Both variants of the new Hyundai Kona are powered by the same SmartStream G2.0 naturally-aspirated inline-four engine, which is actually a different unit than the 2.0-litre Nu Kappa engine featured in the pre-facelift model.
However, the 1.6-litre turbocharged mill available on the pre-facelift model has been dropped this time round on the new Hyundai Kona.
- Engine: 2.0-litre SmartStream G2.0 naturally-aspirated inline-four, petrol
- Transmission: SmartStream IVT constantly-variable transmission
- Drivetrain: Front engine, front-wheel drive
- Horsepower: 149 hp @ 6,200 rpm
- Torque: 180 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
- 0-100: 9.7 seconds
- Top speed: electronically-limited 198 km/h
While the power is sent exclusively to the front wheels, the new Hyundai Kona does come with individual traction control modes, specifically tuned for mud, sand, and even snow driving.
INTERIOR
While the exterior sees quite drastic changes, on the inside, the Hyundai Kona facelift does remain quite faithful to the outgoing model, with only slight design tweaks to the dashboard architecture – particularly the centre console, which is now “disconnected” from the dashboard to emphasise the latter’s width.
The circular air conditioning vents that bookend the entire dashboard also gets a redesigned, more “European-styled” look.
The entry-level 2.0 Standard variant gets the following as standard:
- Analogue instrument cluster with multi-info display
- Eight-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Rear-view camera
- Electronic parking brake
- Manual air-conditioning
- Fabric seats, black
- Smart key with remote engine start
The 2.0 Active adds on the following:
- 10.25-inch fully-digital instrument cluster
- Single-zone automatic climate control
- Power-adjustable driver seat
- Leather upholstery, black or beige based on exterior colour choices
SAFETY
The new Hyundai Kona comes as standard with six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability control, hill start assist, and hill descent control.
The range-topping 2.0 Active variant steps it up a notch with the included SmartSense advanced driver assistance features, which includes the following as standard:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian and vehicle detection
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
- Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
PRICING
The new Hyundai Kona facelift in Malaysia starts at RM119,888 for the entry-level 2.0 Standard variant, moving up to RM136,888 for the range-topping 2.0 Active variant, both on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions.
Included in the price is a five-year/300,000 km warranty, alongside a three-year/50,000 km free scheduled maintenance programme.
These prices are RM4,000 and RM2,000 cheaper respectively when compared to the outgoing model, based on the actual recommended retail price as announced during the launch.
At the end of the virtual launch, HSDM also included a teaser of the Hyundai Kona N-Line, along with the caption “Coming Soon”, possibly being introduced here with the “discontinued” 1.6-litre T-GDi engine – and if you’ve seen photos of the Kona N-Line, you’ll know why we’re excited.
GALLERY
