New SsangYong Tivoli 2021: Significant facelift for Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona rival delayed

SsangYong Australia’s launch plans for the significantly facelifted version of the first-generation Tivoli small SUV have been pushed back.

When the Tivoli facelift was revealed last May, SsangYong Australia was planning to launch it by the end of 2019, but a year later, it still hasn’t made it into local showrooms.

Speaking to CarsGuide this week, a SsangYong Australia spokesperson said updated timing for the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona is still yet to be locked in, although they indicated there will be news to share “shortly”.

Read More About Ssangyong Tivoli

SsangYong Tivoli 2020 to be a 'major facelift'

The Tivoli facelift is therefore now likely to arrive as a 2021 model (MY21), with a launch as early as late this year. That said, the consequences of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may push it back even further.

Either way, the significance of the Tivoli’s facelift cannot be understated, as it will usher in a redesigned front fascia, tweaked tail-lights, a larger touchscreen (8.0 inches), a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a new centre stack.

2021 SsangYong Tivoli

1 / 2

2021 SsangYong Tivoli

2 / 2

More importantly, though, two new turbo-petrol engines are available internationally: a 95kW/230Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder and a 120kW/280Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder. For reference, the latter is also found in the Korando mid-size SUV.

Meanwhile, the Tivoli’s current 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine has been upgraded overseas as part of the facelift, with its outputs up from 85kW/300Nm to 100kW/324Nm. Again, the latter is also used by the Korando.

SsangYong Australia is yet to lock in its facelifted engine line-up, with the current Tivoli range powered by a 94kW/160Nm 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol and the 85kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

Read More About Ssangyong Tivoli

SsangYong Tivoli XLV axed in favour of new Korando