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The Hyundai Kona Electric has been updated, most noticeably with new exterior styling and new colours, as well as safety enhancements and an advanced technology package – but the best news is that the 300 mile electric driving range is retained.
After tyre improvements on the 2020 model year update, the 64 kWh battery version of the Kona offers a class-leading range of 300 miles (WLTP) on a single charge. Meanwhile, the 39.2 kWh model offers a range of up to 189 miles (WLTP).
The long-range version with a 64 kWh battery features an electric motor which delivers maximum power of 204 PS (150 kW. The basic version has a battery capacity of 39.2 kWh, with the motor delivering 136 PS (100 kW). Both powertrain versions deliver 395 Nm of immediate torque.
The long-range battery version provides a maximum speed of 103mph, with the standard-range battery version offering 96mph.
The Smart Adjustable Regenerative Braking system allows the new Kona Electric to automatically set the regenerative braking level, while paddle shifts behind the steering wheel allow the driver to adjust the intensity of the regenerative braking.
Charging the lithium-ion polymer battery from 10 to 80 per cent only takes about 47 minutes using a 100 kW direct current (DC) fast charger. The Kona Electric features an optional 10.5-kW three-phase on-board charger, allowing for significantly shorter charging times using public three-phase AC charging stations or with a private compatible wall box at home. Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box).
Thanks to Remote Charging, new Kona Electric drivers can start and stop charging at the push of a button on their smartphone via the Bluelink app. During colder months, Remote Climate Control allows users to schedule a time that they would like to pre-heat their car electrically when connected to an external power source. As well as providing additional comfort to occupants, this also saves battery power that would otherwise be needed to heat the vehicle on the road.
There’s a new Bluelink upgrade, which allows drivers to control their car with their smartphone or voice. The app displays the vehicle’s range and battery state, as well as charging times, when plugged into different public or private charging points. Users can access an advanced battery management system in order to select charging times that best fit their schedule or their budget by making the most of off-peak electricity rates.
For the first time, the new Kona Electric is equipped with a 10.25-inch digital cluster, while an optional 10.25-inch AVN screen is carried over from the last update. And good news for passengers, as well as heated front seats, the Kona has heated rear seats.
The new Kona Electric features a state-of-the-art Hyundai safety package for peace of mind, Hyundai SmartSense.
There’s now no need for Hyundai’s designers to worry about how to style the grille, because there’s now no grille.
Since launching in 2018, over 120,000 units have been sold globally, including more than 53,000 in Europe. In August, three production models set a new range record of 636 miles (1,026 kilometres) on a single battery charge at the Lausitzring in Germany.
Meanwhile, in January, the Kona Electric made it into the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ under the category “Highest Altitude Achieved in an Electric Car”, after being driven to an altitude of 5,731 metres to Sawula Pass in Tibet.
In March, Hyundai started production of the Kona Electric at its Czech production plant, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC). This enables the company to significantly reduce customer waiting times for new electric cars.
