The ‘Kona Electric’ has been upgraded in every aspect with a larger body, a front and rear design featuring straight lines that embody Hyundai’s family look, and product qualities above the compact segment.
Hyundai held a product presentation for the ‘Kona Electric’ on the 27th of last month at the Urban Frame Studio in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do. The straight-line headlights at the front and rear connect to a new family look that symbolizes Hyundai’s design.
Hyundai’s electric vehicle lineup is divided into three tiers. The ‘Kona Electric’ serves as a popular model that is easily accessible to consumers, while the next step up includes the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 from Hyundai’s dedicated electric vehicle brand, Ioniq, followed by Genesis at the top tier. Although the Kona Electric is the most attainable model for buyers, it offers high value without compromising on quality.
The driving range has also increased. With a fully charged battery, the new model can travel up to 417 km, an increase of 11 km compared to the previous generation’s 406 km. At a size of 4,355 × 1,825 × 1,575 mm, it is overall larger than the old model (4,205 × 1,800 × 1,550 mm). The wheelbase has also grown from 2,600 mm to 2,660 mm, offering an additional 60 mm of legroom in the back seat, giving two fists’ worth of extra space available for passenger comfort. The second row of seats in the Kona Electric is flat without a center tunnel, making it suitable as a family car.
Many electric vehicle owners prefer charging at night to save on electricity costs. To cater to these customers, an LED pocket lamp has been installed on the charging port door. Furthermore, a battery level indicator has been added, allowing drivers to check battery status even while not driving. Also, the charging port surface is equipped with heating material to prepare for harsh winter conditions, and an LED lamp is included in the front trunk for easy access to stored items.
The Kona Electric has adopted e-passes instead of physical cards. Previous physical passes were prone to operational errors due to temperature changes in the cabin; however, with the e-pass, such concerns are alleviated. Additionally, the Kona Electric supports Hyundai’s CarPay, allowing convenient payment using registered cards at partnered gas stations and parking lots without worrying about a wallet.
The second-row seats of the Kona Electric recline in two stages. Until now, small SUVs have not provided reclining seats in the second row, causing discomfort for long-distance travelers, but now passengers can lean back and relax during long trips. The Kona Electric also comes with virtual driving sound. Additionally, it will include a video viewing service allowing passengers to enjoy various video content during long trips.
The safety aspects have also been enhanced. The Kona Electric is equipped with driving assist systems such as HDA2 (Highway Driving Assistant 2) and FCA2 (Forward Collision Avoidance Assistant) to prepare for various collision scenarios.
Electric vehicle customers tend to be sensitive to sound due to the absence of engine noise. To address this, Hyundai has significantly improved quietness by equipping the Kona Electric with 19-inch sound-absorbing tires and underbody covers.
The Kona Electric presents a bold new look and various conveniences, set to make its debut in the domestic market. Moving forward, Hyundai plans to continue ambitious carbon neutrality initiatives through the Kona Electric as a flagship model for the masses.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr