Exter Facelift Leak, Hyundai Preserves Appearance but Adds Features

Exterior of the 2026 Hyundai Facelift. (Photo: Onyoukim)

Hyundai is preparing to launch a number of new products throughout this year to strengthen its portfolio. One of the most highlighted is the Exter facelift, which has been caught on camera several times undergoing testing.

The latest spy photos from Korea show the front, side, and back of the refresh model. Although the test unit is still wrapped in full camouflage, a number of basic design elements can still be recognized.

Starting from the grille, the main lights, to the taillights look not much different from the current model. The use of steel rims indicates that the tested variant is the basic type, in line with the Exter trims EX and EX(O) which currently use R14 steel rims.

Launching Carandbike, Friday, February 20, the lighting devices at the front and back also seem to maintain the old design. The grille and front bumper area looks similar, although it is not impossible that there are new details hidden behind the camouflage.

From the side, the wheel arch cladding is still maintained to emphasize the character of this small SUV. There is no roof rail, a feature that is absent in the current base variant of the Exter.

Overall, the Exter facelift is expected to undergo no major changes to the exterior appearance. The focus of the update is believed to be on improving comfort and driving ease, adding the latest technology, and strengthening safety aspects.

There is a chance of a larger infotainment screen, a digital instrument cluster with more complete features, to an increase in connected car services. Several additional comfort features are also potentially embedded, such as ventilated front seats, front and rear armrests, and sun blinds in the back row.

The new touch in the cabin is expected to give a fresher feel while improving comfort for long journeys. On the other hand, the safety package is likely to be enriched with driver assistance features.

Currently, Exter is equipped with a fairly complete safety equipment, ranging from six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management, rear parking sensors, to a rear camera with dynamic guidance. Other features available include hill assist control (HAC), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and built-in dashcam.

For the power plant, the Exter facelift is predicted to still rely on the same engine options. The SUV carries a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with 83 PS of power and 113.8 Nm of torque, combined with a 5-speed manual transmission or Smart Auto AMT. The gasoline + CNG variant is also still available with 69 PS output and 95.2 Nm of torque when using CNG, specifically a 5-speed manual transmission.

With the refresh, the Exter facelift will continue to compete in the compact SUV segment. A slight price hike is expected to be inevitable, given that the current model is marketed in the range of Rs 5.64 lakh to Rs 8.85 lakh.