The new-generation Hyundai Kona Electric line-up is smaller than before, but it has a lower base price and more range and standard equipment.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric range now starts at $54,000 before on-roads for the Standard Range model, which is $500 more affordable than the previous-generation entry-level equivalent.
This is despite the new-generation model having a 24 per cent larger lithium-ion battery pack (48.6kWh v 39.2kWh), and 21 per cent more range (370km v 305km).
There’s also the Kona Electric Extended Range which is available in standard and Premium trim. The latter is priced from $68,000 before on-roads, which is $4000 more than the previous-generation flagship.
All new-generation Kona Electric motors have a redesigned front-mounted electric motor which has decreased torque ripple, resulting in smoother and more linear acceleration.
Other powertrain-related features that have been added or tweaked with the new-generation Kona Electric include a battery conditioning system and heat pump, while there are faster AC and DC charging speeds.
The Kona Electric is one of the first electric vehicles (EVs) on the Australian new-car market to offer a spare tyre as standard. It’s a space-saver unit which is suitable for driving speeds up to 80km/h.
The electric SUV can now also now tow. It has a braked towing capacity of 750kg, and an unbraked towing capacity of 300kg.
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Kona Electric Premium
Hyundai claims the new-generation Kona Electric has “substantially” reduced wind, powertrain, road noise and vibration compared to the previous-generation model.
There are new sound-absorbing pads under the carpet and in the luggage area to minimise road noise intrusion.
The new Kona Electric also has a local chassis and suspension tune that was developed by Hyundai Australia. It rides on MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension.
Pricing
- 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range: $54,000
- 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Extended Range: $58,000
- 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Premium Extended Range: $68,000
All prices are before on-road costs
Drivetrains
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 99kW of power and 255Nm of torque. This is fed by a 48.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The previous-generation Kona Electric Standard Range had a 100kW/395Nm electric motor and 39.2kWh battery pack.
The two Kona Electric Extended Range variants on the other hand are powered by a more powerful single, front-mounted electric motor producing 150kW and 255Nm. This is fed by a 64.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The previous Extended Range used an 150kW/395Nm electric motor and 64kWh battery pack.
All Kona Electric variants come with a new-generation version of the i-Pedal regenerative braking mode which enables one-pedal driving.
Efficiency
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range has a claimed range of 370km according to an undisclosed efficiency standard. This is up from 305km of range in the previous-generation model.
The Kona Electric Extended Range on the other hand has a claimed range of 505km according to an undisclosed efficiency standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, whereas the Kona Electric Premium Extended Range has a claimed range of 444km with 19-inch alloy wheels.
The onboard AC charger now has a capacity of up to 10.4kW, which is up from 7.2kW in the previous-generation Kona Electric.
DC charging times are also claimed to have been improved. When connected to a 100kW DC fast-charging station, the new Kona Electric is claimed to be able to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 45 minutes in both Standard and Extended Range forms.
All Kona Electric now comes with a battery conditioning system as standard which can activate in cold weather to heat the battery for improved DC charging and driving performance.
There’s also a high efficiency Kona Electric heat pump in place of the conventional PTC heater. This utilises waste heat energy from other systems and energy from the atmosphere to warm the cabin, which is claimed to maximise driving range.
All Kona Electric models have an interior vehicle-to-load (V2L) port with a maximum output of 250V/15A/3kW. Exterior V2L functionality is also available with the charging port.
Dimensions
Hyundai Australia hasn’t detailed the exterior dimensions for the new-generation Kona Electric. In petrol base and Premium guise it measures in at 4350mm long, 1825mm wide and 1585mm tall, with a 2660mm wheelbase.
There’s no longer a driveshaft tunnel which results in a completely flat rear floor, increasing space for rear occupants.
Compared to the previous-generation model, the new Kona Electric has 77mm more leg room, 17mm more shoulder room, and 15mm more headroom.
Boot capacity with the second row of seats upright has also increased by 75 litres to 407 litres, while expanding to 1241 litres (+127 litres) with them folded.
There’s also a foldable dual-level floor-board, multiple shopping bag hooks, a cargo net with tie-down hooks and a new storage location for the cargo shelf.
A new front cargo area under the bonnet has a capacity of up to 27 litres. It has an LED light and a sealed lid to prevent the ingress of external pollutants.
The new Kona Electric Extended Range is now able to tow. With the optional Hyundai Genuine Accessory tow it has a braked towing capacity of 750kg a maximum tow ball weight of 100kg. If towing an unbraked trailer, it has a 300kg towing capacity.
Lastly, the new Kona Electric is the first in its segment to come standard with a spare tyre. It’s a space-saver temporary spare wheel, which is suitable for driving at speeds up to 80km/h.
Servicing and Warranty
The Hyundai Kona Electric is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while its high-voltage battery pack is covered by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty.
Logbook servicing is required every 24 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first. The first three services are also each capped at $520.
Safety
The new-generation Hyundai Kona hasn’t been crash tested by ANCAP at this stage, though it received a four-star rating from Euro NCAP with which it has harmonised testing protocols.
It received 80 per cent for adult occupant protection, 83 per cent for child occupant protection, 64 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 60 per cent for safety assist.
In Australia, the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric range has the following safety equipment:
- Seven airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection
- Cyclist detection
- Motorcycle detection
- Junction assist
- Evasive steering assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Safe Exit Warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver attention warning
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane Following Assist
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- Rear occupant alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Tyre pressure monitoring
All Hyundai Kona Electric variants also come standard with a five-year subscription to Bluelink connected car services. Available functions include
- Connected satellite navigation
- Point of interest send to car (inc. charging station)
- Voice control system
- Remote climate control, charging and charging port
- Charging schedule
- Scheduled climate control
- DC/AC charging limits
- Energy consumption monitoring
- Charging alarm
- Distance-to-empty monitor
- Charging status
The Kona Electric Premium adds:
- Rear AEB
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Surround-view camera
- Front, side and rear parking sensors
- Remote Smart Parking Assist
Standard Equipment
The entry-level 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric comes standard with the following:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Space-saver spare wheel
- Satin chrome beltline/roof spoiler garnish
- Body-colour painted cladding
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Reflector-type automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- LED daytime running lights
- LED combination tail lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Over-the-air software update capability
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- Six-speaker sound system
- Wireless phone charger
- Dual-zone climate control
- Proximity entry and push-button start
- Remote start
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Shift-by-wire column-mounted gear selector
- LED interior lighting
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Luggage net
- Heat pump
- Battery conditioning system
- Interior V2L port
- Premium cloth upholstery
The Kona Electric Premium adds:
- Rear AEB
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Surround-view camera
- Front, side and rear parking sensors
- Remote Smart Parking Assist
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Acoustic laminated windscreen
- Solar control front door glass
- Privacy rear glass
- Sunrooof
- Quad projector LED headlights
- ‘Seamless Horizon’ front parking light
- LED indicators
- Hands-free powered tailgate
- Head-up display
- Bose eight-speaker premium sound system
- Ambient interior lighting
- Heated steering wheel
- Cloth knit headliner
- Leather-appointed upholstery
- 10-way power driver’s seat with memory
- Eight-way power front passenger’s seat
- Premium relaxation front seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
Colours
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric is available in the following exterior paint colours:
- Atlas White
- Ecotronic Grey
- Abyss Black
- Ultimate Red
- Mirage Green
- Denim Blue
- Meta Blue (Kona Electric Premium only)
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