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Hyundai is making some small tweaks to their model portfolio for the 2022 model year, just like any other automaker, as next year looks on the horizon. It is very early for Hyundai to update their vehicles for next year, but that’s normal these days. But before we discuss the actual changes to Hyundai’s lineup for 2022, it is just as important to know which of their cars are going to be carryover models.
Hyundai‘s 2022 crossover lineup will see the tiny Venue carry over unchanged, as well as the Palisade large SUV and Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The Palisade facelift that has been floating around for the past month is coming for the 2023 model year with a possible mid- to late-2022 reveal. As for the Hyundai sedan lineup, the Accent compact sedan will not change anytime soon, though we expect that it will either be facelifted or discontinued/replaced in 2023. Hyundai’s Sonata midsize sedan is unchanged for 2022 throughout its extensive trim lineup, despite an upcoming special edition version of the N Line. The Ioniq Hybrid and PHEV also remain the same after a small facelift in 2020.
Speaking of the Hyundai Ioniq, the Electric variant will be discontinued for 2022, and the automaker reasoned that this is because of the launch of the Ioniq 5 this fall, as well as the remaining Ioniq brand throughout the next decade. In fact, the Ioniq 6 would overlap with it more than the 5 since it will be a sedan. The Ioniq Electric hasn't been a very popular EV either, with just 13,570 units finding owners last year, which is about 6,000 less than in 2019. Hyundai's press release also stated that the updated 2022 Kona Electric was involved, too. They said that the Ioniq Electric was "discontinued from the lineup due to upgraded Kona Electric..." The Kona is a crossover, so it attracts way more buyers than the fastback layout of the Ioniq. We also think that, as Hyundai adds hybrid variants to most of its gas lineup, it wouldn't be surprising if the Hybrid and PHEV versions were dropped for 2023.
The Hyundai Kona, as stated before, has been facelifted for 2022 with a revised front fascia, more safety features, a tweaked interior, and new tailight units. The Kona Electric no longer has a fake grille, instead wearing, well, plain sheetmetal. Less plastic cladding and more screen are also new. A new Kona N Line performance variant is on its way, with all other 2022 Kona models already at dealers. The Hyundai Santa Fe just received a major update for 2021, so the regular model is a carryover model, for the most part. This midsize crossover is gaining a new ‘XRT‘ trim level next year, which hasn’t been revealed yet, but the press release described it as a “new rugged model.” We expect a reveal sooner rather than later.
The Hyundai Elantra was completely redesigned last year, so not much is new for the compact sedan. The gas and hybrid versions, along with the sporty N Line, all arrive unchanged for 2022, but a full-fledged N model is on its way. Hyundai has already teased the genuine performance sedan ahead of its reveal on July 14. It is said to cost around $35,000, which could end up being a winner decision from Hyundai. As you know, the Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup is coming soon, with the first examples possibly arriving later this year after deliveries are underway (reservations are available). The Hyundai Tucson is all-new for 2022 as well, with revolutionary headlights integrated into the grille, more tech and space, a new hybrid and PHEV, and an updated N-Line model. Last year‘s N Line didn’t make it to the US. The Tucson is also adding a tough XRT model for 2022, just like the Santa Fe.
Finally, the Veloster hatchback. Sadly, the rumors from a couple of months ago were correct. Hyundai has announced that the 2.0, 2.0 Premium, Turbo, R-Spec, and Ultimate trims are being discontinued for 2022. That leaves out the Veloster N performance model, which was listed as a carryover model. It’s a sad announcement for enthusiasts, but a three-door hatchback just doesn’t attract as many buyers as crossovers like the Kona and even sedans like the Elantra. Therefore, we won’t be seeing the Veloster in base form again anytime soon.
Source Credits: Hyundai Newsroom
Images: Hyundai
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