Second Hand Hyundai Kona Gearbox

The Hyundai Kona first generation ran from 2017 to 2023, with a facelift arriving in 2021, so a 2018 and a 2021 are in the same generation but either side of that facelift boundary. Engine code is the critical check here — if both cars share the same engine code, there is a reasonable chance the gearbox is compatible, but mounting and ancillary changes can occur at a facelift point, so confirm the specific part numbers with the breaker against both registrations before buying.

Engine code matters far more than year for a mechanical part like a gearbox — two Konas from the same year can carry completely different units depending on whether the car is a 1.0 T-GDi, 1.6 T-GDi, 1.6 GDi hybrid, or fully electric, and those gearboxes are not interchangeable. The engine code is printed on your V5C or can be found via a VIN check, and it is the single most useful detail you can give a breaker when requesting a quote. Never rely on year alone.

Trim level — whether your Kona is an S, SE, SE Nav, Premium, or Premium GT — does not affect gearbox fitment; it is a cosmetic and equipment distinction, not a mechanical one. What determines the gearbox is the engine code and whether the car is petrol, hybrid, or electric. The breaker may supply a unit pulled from a different trim, and that is fine mechanically, though minor differences in attached brackets or sensors are possible, so confirm those details with the breaker.

The first-generation Kona ran from 2017 to 2023, and the second generation launched in 2023, representing a significant platform change. Crossing that generational boundary means the gearbox is very unlikely to be a straightforward swap even if the engine code looks similar, and this is exactly the kind of cross-generation question you must confirm with the breaker against both registrations rather than assume compatibility.

No — manual, DCT (dual-clutch automatic), and other automatic gearbox types are not interchangeable; they are fundamentally different units requiring different bell housings, mounts, and drivetrain components. Always make sure the gearbox type on the donor car matches your own exactly, and give the breaker both registrations so they can verify the correct unit. Fitting the wrong gearbox type is not a case of minor adjustment — it simply will not work.

Both a 2019 and a 2018 Kona 1.6 T-GDi fall within the pre-facelift phase of the first generation (2017–2021 pre-facelift), so on the face of it these are close candidates for compatibility. Confirm the engine codes match exactly, and ask the breaker to check whether any mid-production ancillary or mounting changes apply to your specific registration, as these can occur within a model year run without a formal facelift. A reputable breaker will cross-reference the part against your reg before supplying.