Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the all-new KONA electric SUV in a digital world premiere. The carmaker claims that the electric vehicle (EV) now offers advanced safety and convenience features and a class-leading range. Interestingly, an electric drivetrain will be the only option available on the new-gen KONA SUV for now, a decision made in line with the company’s March 2022 accelerated electrification strategy announcement that will bring 11 new Hyundai EVs to market by 2030.
For those unaware, the new model comes as the third of its kind, meaning it is the second facelift since the debut of the Hyundai KONA back in 2018. The previous versions included an EV (standard or long range), a hybrid electric (HEV), and an internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, alongside the sporty N Line versions of each. With the new version, there is only an all-electric KONA on offer as of now. Hyundai will introduce the other models later this year.
In a note marking the unveiling of the KONA facelift, Jaehoon Chang, President, and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company stated that the company developed the new KONA as an EV first in order to reinforce Hyundai’s EV leadership in its global market, alongside the Hyundai Ioniq EV models. This time, Hyundai claims to have added “many outstanding features” to the car as well.
New Hyundai KONA EV: Upgrades
Among the upgrades, the new Hyundai KONA EV now comes with dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, a Digital Key 2 Touch, full Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, and a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC). Some of the driver assistance features include Hyundai’s SmartSense Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and safety systems, including Level 2 autonomous driving, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM), Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) and Driver Status Monitor (DSM).
The new electric car by Hyundai even gets upscaled dimensions. Its length has been increased by 175 mm to now measure a total of 4,355 mm. Similarly, the wheelbase of 2,660 mm is 60 mm longer, the width is 1,825 mm, a 25 mm increase, as well as a 20 mm taller height now measuring 1,575 mm. Hyundai says that the KONA EV now supports a larger interior ‘living space,’ thanks to the increased dimensions.
There is a new exterior design as well. Between the nose and tailgate, we now see sculpted wheel arch armor and parametric surfaces to give a sense of more volume to the car. Chrome lines connect the belt line to the rear spoiler with an integrated high-mounted stop lamp (HMSL). On the EV variant, we also get a Pixelated Seamless Horizon Lamp, Pixel graphics, frunk storage, active air flaps, interior and exterior Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) outlets, Head-up Display (HUD), i-PEDAL driving mode, Smart Regenerative System, electronic-Active Sound Design (e-ASD) and an Eco Package.
Hyundai KONA EV: Battery & Range
The new KONA electric promises a WLTP-estimated range of 490 km (maximum) on a full charge of its 65.4-kWh battery pack that powers the Long-range version. The standard version comes with a 48.4-kWh battery for a lesser range. The power produced in both variants is 160 kW and 114.6 kW, while the Torque remains the same at 255 Nm.
The new Hyundai KONA EV will be available in a total of 19 colour options upon its launch, with some of them rolling out later to customers. It will be interesting to see how Hyundai prices its latest EV to make it a competent newcomer in the global electric SUV market.
