All-new Hyundai Kona: No new engines, EV specs to be revealed in March



Last year, Hyundai revealed the design of the all-new Hyundai Kona, showing off the compact crossover with its new Robocop-like looks and boasting overall larger dimensions. Back then the company also revealed that the all-new Hyundai Kona will be available with internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid (HEV), and EV powertrains.

Starting off the year, Hyundai has now revealed three powertrains for the Kona in the Korean Market. So far, two ICE powertrains and one hybrid powertrain have been revealed. The two ICE powertrains are a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine (198 hp/265 Nm) and a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine (149 PS/179.5 Nm), which are already used in the outgoing Hyundai Kona.

ICE/HEV all-new Hyundai Kona with unpainted claddings

The HEV powertrain consists of a 1.6-litre GDi engine and an electric motor that make a combined output of 141 hp (metric) and 265 Nm. The transmission in use will be Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Hyundai will reveal details on the Hyundai Kona electric later in March.

As mentioned previously, the all-new Kona is built as an EV first before adapting ICE powertrains. The fact that the ICE powertrains remain unchanged despite the all-new chassis hints at the direction the Kona is heading.

  • 1.6-litre T-GDi engine – 198 hp (metric), 265 Nm
  • 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine – 149 hp (metric), 179.5 Nm
  • 1.6-litre GDi + electric motor – 141 hp (metric), 265 Nm

RELATED: All-new Hyundai Kona unveiled with Robocop looks, 4 powertrains, LED light bars

All-new Hyundai Kona electric

Hyundai has also revealed details on the Kona’s cabin which benefits from the new, 60-mm longer wheelbase. Compared to the outgoing Kona, there is 77 mm longer legroom, 11 mm higher headroom, and a 1,402 mm cabin width (shoulder space) for the second row.

Already revealed in December last year was the twin 12.3-inch display on the dashboard and the new electronic column shifter that frees up space on the centre console. Hyundai claims the new centre console can even store big bags.

Tech-wise, the all-new Kona supports Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates. The all-new Kona can be locked, unlocked, and started through the Digital Key 2 Touch, using near-field communication (NFC) on smartphones or smartwatches, which assures a high level of security.

RELATED: Hyundai Kona N Line – Arguably the most complete and futuristic crossover in Malaysia

Safety features on the all-new Kona include Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) and High Beam Assist (HBA). It is also equipped with various driving convenience functions, such as Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), Lane Following Assist (LFA), and Highway Driving Assist (HDA).

For safe-assured parking, the all-new KONA provides various advanced technologies, such as Surround View Monitor (SVM), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Forward/Side/Reverse Parking Distance Warning (PDW), Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA) and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA).

ALSO WATCH: Hyundai Kona Electric launched in Malaysia, 5 Things