The redesigned 2028 Kona has been caught with less cladding, showing a softer design that walks back the model's boldest styling choices

The redesigned Hyundai Kona has been spied on multiple occasions, but the heavy cladding has finally come off. It reveals a radical rethink for the model, which has been reimagined as a traditional crossover.

Designers gave the Kona a curvaceous front end with an upper shark nose, which appears to incorporate an illuminated bar. Notably, it’s much thicker than the Seamless Horizon Lamp found on the current model.

More: Hyundai’s Eco-Friendly Kona Is Transforming Into A Seltos Twin

Further below, we can see mid-mounted headlights and what appears to be an active shutter grille. The latter has oddball slats, which seem to be broken up into multiple sections. Elsewhere, there’s a wide lower intake and a pronounced front lip.

Overall, the prototype looks very similar to a picture that surfaced in July and claimed to show the crossover undisguised. However, it’s not an exact match and there are some notable differences.

While the front passenger decided to flip photographers the bird, we can see the Kona will adopt flush-mounted door handles and streamlined bodywork. They’re joined by an upward sweeping beltline that contributes to a relatively small greenhouse. The model also has an angular roof and aerodynamically optimized wheels.

Last but not least, there’s a rear end that will make you forget about the atrocious one found on the current model. It features an angular rear window as well as a pronounced spoiler. The Kona also has a wider and more practical liftgate, and a rounded bumper with a ‘hidden’ exhaust.

The interior is more mysterious, but we can expect a minimalist cabin with a new Pleos Connect infotainment system. Details remain to be seen, but the model could offer a 12.9-, 14.6-, or 17-inch screen.

Under the hood, there could be a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine shared with the 2027 Kia Seltos. It produces 190 hp (142 kW / 193 PS) and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) of torque.

Kia has also confirmed plans for a Seltos Hybrid, which uses a 1.6-liter engine and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission instead of the eight-speed automatic found on the regular model. In Korea, the engine produces 104 hp (77 kW / 105 PS), while the electric motor contributes an additional 43 hp (32 kW / 44 PS). This implies a combined maximum output of around 147 hp (110 kW / 149 PS).