Kona

Make
Hyundai
Segment
SUV

The Hyundai Kona has only been on sale since the 2018 model year, and stands out from the crowd thanks to its quirky styling. However, this hasn't stopped the Korean automaker from giving the funky little crossover a nip and tuck as part of an upcoming mid-cycle refresh.

This is our first look at the upcoming Hyundai Kona facelift. The updated subcompact was recently spotted performing some cold-weather testing on a frozen lake, presumably in the middle of nowhere. The hefty amount of camouflage suggests there will be some significant design changes, but we aren't expecting anything major.

Our source says to expect minor changes to the front fascia, including a new grille, revised headlights, and some minor tweaks to the front bumper.

Similar changes are also expected to be applied to the back, including new rear light graphics and smaller changes to the rear bumper, but the disguise makes it difficult to make out any design details. We don't have any shots of the interior yet, but the cabin could also receive some a few minor changes, such as an upgraded infotainment system. As standard, the Hyundai Kona is offered with a seven-inch touchscreen display featuring an infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.

Under the hood, the updated Kona is expected to offer a more efficient engine lineup. Currently, Hyundai's stylish subcompact is offered with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that develops 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque and a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque on tap.

Power is sent to a seven-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission in the latter, while the entry-level model has a six-speed automatic transmission. Rumors have also suggested a high-performance N version of the Kona N is in the pipeline, which could be introduced as part of the mid-cycle update. Judging from the thick layers of camouflage disguising this prototype, we aren't expecting the Hyundai Kona facelift to debut until later this year at the earliest.