Hyundai has updated the Kona Electric. The electric crossover has been completely brought in line with the previously facelifted non-electric versions of the Kona. The refreshed Kona Electric will be at Dutch dealers from the summer of next year.
New Hyundai Kona Electric highlights:
- New front and renewed back
- No technical changes
- New safety systems
- From summer 2021 in the Netherlands
Hyundai gave the Kona, presented in 2017, a major facelift in early September. The model, especially visually, has been thoroughly renewed and will now have an even more eccentric appearance. Hyundai kept one very important version under its cap for a while: the Kona Electric. Now the brand has also rejuvenated the refreshed electric Kona.
Although Hyundai facelifts the Kona Electric in the same way as the regular versions of the Kona, the differences between the updated Kona Electric and the model before the facelift may seem less significant. This is because the Kona Electric has always had a different front from those versions without a large open grille. The Hyundai logo on the muzzle also moves up a lot with the Kona Electric, but because the logo was previously higher than that of the regular Kona’s, the difference seems less big. The Kona Electric gets the same updated lighting with new flat LED daytime running lights and one floor below the actual headlights. The front bumper of the Kona has also been renewed. The open part of it grows a size in both width and height. We also see a new bumper and modified LED lighting on the back. The new bumpers make the Kona Electric 4 inches longer than before
Range
Then perhaps a more important question: will the Kona Electric get a bigger one range? The answer to that question is ‘no’, but that is not a disaster. The Kona Electric already had a very acceptable electric range. Once again there is a Kona Electric with a 64 kWh battery pack and a 204 hp electric motor. This version has an electric range of 484 kilometers and sprints to a speed of 100 km / h in 7.9 seconds. Below that is the cheaper Hyundai Kona Electric with a 64 kWh battery pack. That basic Kona has an electric range of 305 kilometers. The range of that version was already increased at the beginning of this year, because the range was earlier at 289 kilometers. This varint is also less potent with its 136 hp electric motor, although a sprint from a standstill to a speed of 100 km / h is still fine
The Kona Electric can be charged with a charging capacity of 11 kW as standard. On a fast charger, the Kona Electric can be filled with power up to 80 percent of its capacity in just over 45 minutes. Of course you can also charge the Kona Electric at home via the wall socket.
Hyundai Kona
Interior
The interior is also being renewed, although the adjustments here are not that great. Hyundai says it will use better materials and the Kona Electric will get new ventilation grilles. In addition, the speech recognition is expanded, from now on you can talk to the Kona to activate things like the steering wheel heating. More interesting is the 10.25-inch diameter infotainment screen. The physical buttons to navigate the system remain, but move from the sides of the screen to the bottom of it. The screen is not standard, those who do not pay extra will receive a DAB radio with an 8-inch display, which is one inch larger than that of the previous basic radio. Behind the wheel we see a new 10.25-inch large digital instrumentation.
Hyundai Kona
Security systems
The Kona Electric is getting new safety systems. Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA) is introduced. This system provides a warning if the driver does not react appropriately when the vehicle in front starts moving. Also new is Lane Following Assist (LFA) that keeps the Kona neatly centered in the lane. The existing safety systems have been tightened up, according to the Koreans. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), for example, also signals cyclists as an option. In addition, the Kona Electric gets Rear Seat Alert (RSA), which warns if someone or something is still sitting in the back seat when the driver leaves the car. Safe Exit Warning (SEW) is to prevent passengers from getting out when, for example, a car is approaching. The Kona Electric already had systems such as active lane assist and cruise control with Stop & Go function.
The renewed Hyundai Kona Electric will be available at Dutch dealers from the summer of next year. Prices of the new Kona Electric are therefore not yet available.