The latest Kona Electric small SUV is now available from Hyundai Australia priced from $54,000 (manufacturer’s list price).
New 99kW/150kW and 255Nm 2WD powertrains paired with “Standard” (48.6kWh battery) and “Extended Range” (64.8kWh) new lithium-ion batteries have standard heat pump and battery conditioning, bringing its range up to 505km (WLTP) and 45 minute fast-charge capability from 10% to 80%.
The onboard AC charger now has a capacity of up to 10.4kW, compared with 7.2kW in the previous generation Kona Electric.
The new Kona Electric includes standard dual 12.3-inch digital cluster and multimedia displays and interior V2L outlet, plus Bluelink connected car services with over-the-air (OTA) update capability.
It has an extensive standard SmartSense safety suite and driver assistance technologies, plus wireless smartphone charging.
LED positioning lights – with pixelated seamless horizon graphic illumination for Premium variants – along with a broad, pixel-pointed lower intake garnish, wrap-around gloss black lower body moulding, and aerodynamic alloy wheel designs are featured.
The Kona Electric’s second row offers 77mm more leg room, 17mm more shoulder room – now 1402mm – and 15mm more headroom than the previous model, while the cargo area grows by 33 litres to 407L and is now joined by a 27L front cargo area.
The cargo area also features a foldable dual-level floorboard, multiple shopping bag hooks, a cargo net with tie-down hooks and a new storage location for the cargo shelf.
The new Kona Electric is 150mm longer and 10mm taller than the model it replaces, with a 60mm longer wheelbase.
Premium variants add 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, powered, heated and ventilated seating, a heated steering wheel, head up display (HUD), BOSE eight-speaker premium audio, remote smart parking assist (RSPA), a wide glass sunroof, and a smart power tailgate.
Hyundai’s front centre-side airbag is part of a standard seven-airbag suite.
The Kona Electric Extended Range is now capable of towing, with a 750kg braked towing capacity, and comes pre-wired, for a seamless accessory towbar and wiring fitment.
In a further plus for Australian drivers, a space saver spare wheel and tyre is now standard.
“All-new Kona Electric underscores Hyundai’s technological ambition and commitment to developing sustainable mobility solutions, setting a new standard in battery electric small SUVs,” says Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief executive Ted Lee.
It’s available in a selection of seven exterior colours including two standard (solid) paint types.
A column-type shift by wire selector frees space in the centre console for two rotary cupholders and a storage tray, while an innovative multi-purpose tray in front of the passenger seat provides additional convenient storage for small items.
A rear seatback folding function features an improved, near-flat (10-degree) folding angle, and the rear seat back tilting angle can be adjusted in two steps – 26 degrees and 32 degrees.
The “Machine Learning” function combines artificial intelligence (AI) and the smart cruise control (SCC) function in a system that learns the driver’s patterns and habits such as typical following distance, acceleration and reaction speeds, to tailor the SCC experience to the driver’s preference.
Kona Electric’s surround view monitor (SVM) system lets the driver see a full 3D 360-degree view of the vehicle and any obstacles surrounding it.
A virtual engine sound system (VESS) alerts pedestrians to the vehicle’s presence at low vehicle speeds.
The new Kona Electric is built on the new third-generation Hyundai ‘K-platform’ (K3) for a comfortable ride and sophisticated handling.
Aerodynamic developments deliver stable high-speed driving performance and energy efficiency benefit while reducing the co-efficient of drag to 0.27 from the preceding model’s 0.29.
An i-Pedal regenerative braking mode enables a single-pedal driving strategy that allows acceleration, deceleration and stopping of the vehicle using only the accelerator. The smart regenerative system automatically adjusts the amount of regenerative braking based on information from forward traffic flow.
Smart Regenerative Braking 2.0 optimises coasting efficiency in auto mode by automatically adjusting the amount of regenerative braking based on the incline of the road and the behaviour of the vehicle ahead.
The Interior V2L feature utilises the vehicle battery to provide an internal mains power source in the rear centre console.
The V2L function provides a standard domestic power outlet and has a maximum output of 250V/15A/3kW, while exterior V2L functionality is also available via the charging port.
Hyundai iCare is offered, along with a suite of other owner benefits like access to myHyundai – an online portal to help Hyundai owners get to know their new car and access special offers – support of customer care experts, plus Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited km vehicle warranty and eight-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty.
