Next Hyundai Kona Skips Facelift—Takes Design Cues from Crater Concept

Skipping the Facelift

The second-generation Hyundai Kona only launched in 2023, so it’s still new by most standards. Normally, Hyundai would give it a mild facelift halfway through its run – just enough styling tweaks and tech updates to keep buyers interested.

But a prototype spotted in Korea hints that Hyundai is taking a different route. Instead of the usual mid-cycle update, they seem to be working on a full next-generation Kona, complete with an SX3 marker. That’s pretty important as the current model is SX2, and Hyundai rarely jumps code numbers unless there’s a big change coming.

This suggests Hyundai might skip the usual facelift and go straight for a full redesign. What stands out is how the prototype was largely influenced by the Crater Concept – a design study that once seemed out of reach for a production car. Now, it looks like those bold ideas are making their way into the next Kona sooner than anyone expected.

Inspired by the Crater Concept

Even with the heavy camouflage, the SX3 prototype already looks different from the current Kona’s rounded, playful shape. The front now gets a clamshell hood, tighter panel gaps, and a wider look overall. It sits lower and feels more planted than the outgoing model.

While the prototype hides some details, expect a full-width horizontal DRL across the nose, using pixel-style LEDs like the Crater Concept. The main headlights sit lower in the bumper, matching the look of Hyundai’s bigger SUVs.

Down the sides, the thick black cladding is gone, replaced by sculpted, body-colored fenders. The window line is sharper, the roof more angular, and the prototype looks taller than the current Kona.

At the back, most details are still covered, but the proportion speaks for itself. There’s a roof spoiler, a wide tailgate, and a lower bumper that makes the car look wider. The new Kona is clearly aiming for a more confident stance this time around, moving away from the quirky style of the past.

When Will It Be Revealed?

Inside, the biggest change will be Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment system, also expected in the next-gen Tucson. It looks like the dashboard will be completely redesigned to fit a large, unified display, but we still expect physical buttons as Hyundai promised.

The Crater Concept’s influence shows up inside, too, with horizontal lines and stripe patterns on the doors and seats. The bridge-style center console and storage are still there, but don’t expect a big jump in rear-seat space. Early info points to the same wheelbase, so design and tech take priority over making the car bigger.

As for timing, this next-generation Kona could arrive around 2027, lining up neatly for the 2028 model year. That would put it roughly five years after the current model’s global debut.