The Hyundai Kona Electric has been with us for a while now, and it’s a pleasing electron-powered alternative to the standard Kona. For 2022, all of Hyundai’s Konas are getting a new face, and now we know at least the European-market version of the Kona Electric will, too, among other changes.
Outside, the Kona EV adopts the gas-fed model’s slimmer headlights and sleeker face. The wheel arch cladding is body colored instead of bare plastic, while the rear of the car gets slimmer tail lights, new turn signal elements, reversing light unit, and a new rear bumper. All in all, the changes to the exterior have turned the entire Kona range from a somewhat awkward looking machine into something relatively handsome.
Underneath that massaged sheetmetal lies a familiar powertrain—the Kona still makes 201 horsepower (150 kW) from via a single electric motor. European versions of the Kona EV have the option of either a 64-kWh battery pack or a smaller, 39.2-kWh battery, while cars for the U.S. market have the lone option of the larger 64-kWh unit. After advances in tire technology granted the Kona EV more range for the 2020 model year, the electric crossover is good for up to 300 miles of range with the larger battery and 189 miles with the smaller battery on the global WLTP cycle. It’s worth noting that the WLPT’s estimates are usually higher than the EPA’s, so expect slightly less “official” range here.
Inside the changes that were made to the standard Kona carry over to the EV, too. That means a bigger 8.0-inch infotainment setup with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, some nicer finishes around the dash, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Customers will also have the option to upgrade to Hyundai’s BlueLink system that allows customers to control their car with their smartphone. It’ll give them key info about range, charge times, and the locations of charging stations.
Speaking of charging, the Kona will still get from a 10 to 80 percent charge in 45 minutes when hooked up to a 100 kW DC fast charger. There is also an optional 10.5-kW three-phase on-board charger that nets shorter charging times when you are hooked up to a normal AC charging station or if you’re just charging up at home. A Hyundai spokesperson said that these changes are for Europe-specific cars, and that it’s “it is still a little too early for the U.S. details.” They also said details on the U.S. version of the Kona EV will drop in the first few months of 2021, a hint, perhaps, that we can expect similar changes to our version of the Kona Electric soon.
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