New Hyundai Kona Electric highlights:
- Revised front and modified back
- No technical changes
- New safety systems
- From summer 2021 in the Netherlands
Hyundai released the Kona presented in 2017 in early September a major facelift. The model, especially visually, has been thoroughly renewed from now on with an even more eccentric appearance. Hyundai kept one very important version under its cap for a while: the Kona Electric. Now the brand has also rejuvenated the refreshed electric Kona.
Although Hyundai facelifts the Kona Electric in the same way as the regular types, the differences between the renewed Kona Electric and the model before the facelift may seem smaller. That’s because the Kona Electric has always had a different front without a large open grille. The Hyundai logo on the muzzle also moves up a bit on the Kona Electric, but because the logo was previously higher, the difference seems smaller. The Kona Electric gets the same revised lighting with new flat LED daytime running lights and one floor below the actual headlights. The front bumper of the Kona has also been changed. The open part of it grows a size in both width and height. We also see a different bumper and adjusted LED lighting on the back. The new bumpers make the Kona Electric 4 inches longer than before
Range
Then perhaps a more important question: will the Kona Electric get a bigger one range? The answer to that question is ‘no’, but that is not a disaster. The Kona Electric already had a very acceptable electric range. Once again there is a Kona Electric with a 64 kWh battery pack and a 204 hp electric motor. This version has an electric range of 484 kilometers and sprints to 100 km / h in 7.9 seconds. Below that is the cheaper Hyundai Kona Electric with a 64 kWh battery pack. That basic Kona has an electric driving range of 305 kilometers. The range of that version was enlarged at the beginning of this year, the range was previously 289 kilometers. This variant is also less potent with its 136 hp electric motor, although a sprint from a standstill to 100 km / h is still fine.
The Kona Electric can be charged with a charging capacity of 11 kW as standard. On a fast charger, the Kona Electric can be filled up to 80 percent with electricity in just over 45 minutes. Of course you can also charge the Kona Electric at home via the wall socket.
Interior
The interior is also being renewed, although the adjustments here are not that great. Hyundai says it will use better materials and the Kona Electric will have different ventilation grilles. In addition, the speech recognition is expanded, from now on you can talk to the Kona to activate things like the steering wheel heating. More interesting is the 10.25-inch diameter infotainment screen. The physical buttons to navigate the system remain, but move from the sides of the screen to the bottom of it. The screen is not standard, those who do not pay extra will receive a DAB radio with 8-inch display, which is one inch larger than that of the previous basic radio. Behind the wheel we see a new 10.25-inch digital instrumentation.
Security systems
The Kona Electric is getting new safety systems. Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA) is introduced. This system provides a warning if the driver does not react appropriately when the vehicle in front starts moving. Another novelty is Lane Following Assist (LFA) that keeps the Kona neatly in the middle of the lane. The existing safety systems have been tightened up, according to the Koreans. For example, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) optionally also signals cyclists. In addition, the Kona Electric Rear Seat Alert (RSA), which warns if something or someone is still sitting in the back seat when the driver leaves the car. Safe Exit Warning (SEW) is to prevent passengers from getting out when, for example, a car is arriving. The Kona Electric already had systems such as Active Lane Keeping Assist and cruise control with Stop & Go function.
The renewed Hyundai Kona Electric will only be available at Dutch dealers from next summer. Prices are not there yet.
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