UPDATE, 05/04/2023 – Further details for the Kona EV in Australia have been released:
| Configuration | Extended Range Model (64.8kWh) | Standard Range model (48.6kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Range | EPA-estimated 419km | EPA-estimated 317km |
| Motor | 150kW/255 Nm | 99kW/255 Nm |
The electric Hyundai Kona will be on sale in Australia from the fourth quarter of 2023 and while the model line-up is not yet fully confirmed for our market, CarExpert believes that the Kona EV will be offered in two trim grades with an optional technology pack for the top-spec trim.
The standard and long-range battery models will both be offered and all Australian-delivered vehicles for the new Kona (ICE, HEV & EV) will be sourced from South Korea.
They’re built on the K3 platform shared with the current CN7 i30 Sedan (Elantra).
Those waiting for a sportier-looking N Line version of the electric Kona will have to wait a little longer, with no official timing of that vehicle’s release for now.
Hyundai has detailed the specifications of its new-generation Kona Electric ahead of an Australian launch in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Unlike the outgoing model, this new Kona Electric will be available with a sporty-looking N Line version, plus an Eco package. There will also be N Line versions of the petrol and hybrid models.
The second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric will land a few months after the 1.6-litre turbo and 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol-powered versions due mid-year.
The Kona Electric will, however, touch down around the same time as the new Kona petrol-electric hybrid – to be offered in Australia for the first time after missing the cut in its first generation.
This new Kona Electric will be available in two different battery configurations, just like the outgoing model.
Per European specifications, the Kona Electric Standard Range is powered by a single electric motor producing 115kW of power and 255Nm of torque with a 48.4kWh battery.
This battery is around 9.0kWh larger than the outgoing Kona Electric Standard Range, with the electric motor producing 15kW more and 140Nm less.
A claimed range figure hasn’t been provided for the new Kona Electric Standard Range thus far but the outgoing model had a WLTP figure of 305km.
The Kona Electric Long Range on the other hand also has a single electric motor that produces 160kW and 255Nm of torque with a 65.4kWh battery.
Maximum driving range is claimed to be over 490km per WLTP testing.
The entire range is still based on a 400V electric architecture with charging from 10 per cent to 80 per cent claimed to take 41 minutes with a fast charger.
Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, the new Kona Electric has vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability both inside and out.
The interior V2L port is on the rear centre console and can only used when the car is powered on, whereas the exterior V2L port is in the charging port and can be used when parked. The latter of these requires an adaptor.
The new Kona Electric has the company’s i-Pedal one-pedal driving function, so-called electronic-Active Sound Design (e-ASD) and battery preconditioning.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the new Kona Electric measures in at 4355mm long, 1825mm wide, and 1575mm tall, with a 2660mm wheelbase. The N Line version is slightly longer at 4385mm.
Compared to the outgoing model this is up to 175mm longer, 25mm wider, and 20mm taller, with a 60mm longer wheelbase.
Boot space is claimed to be up to 466 litres according to VDA standards, which is 134 litres more than the outgoing model. Folding the seats down expands the boot space to 723 litres. There’s also a frunk that’s 27 litres.
The new Kona Electric has a drag coefficient of 0.27 and is differentiated by its active air flaps and so-called ‘Pixelated Seamless Horizon Lamps’.
All N Line versions (petrol, hybrid and electric) boast more aggressive front and rear designs, black mirrors, a spoiler, silver side skirts, twin exhausts and an optional black roof. Although Hyundai didn’t indicate this, it’s highly unlikely the Kona Electric N Line will receive twin exhausts.
Inside there are two 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen, as well as a 12-inch head-up display.
Other standard features include a powered tailgate, LED headlights, front relaxation seats, interior ambient lighting, Digital Key 2 Touch, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
In terms of safety equipment the Kona Electric is fully loaded. It has the following features:
- SmartSense Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
- Forward collision avoidance and assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane Following Assist (lane centring)
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Remote Smart Parking Assist
- Driver attention warning
- Driver status monitor
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- Parking Collision-Avoidance assist
- Highway Driving Assist
- Navigation-based smart cruise control
- Surround-view camera
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric will be available in the following exterior paint colours:
- Abyss Black Pearl
- Atlas White
- Serenity White Pearl
- Shimmering Silver Metallic
- Cyber Gray Metallic
- Ecotronic Gray Pearl
- Ecotronic Gray Matte
- Engine Red
- Ultimate Red Metallic
- Soultronic Orange Pearl
- Jupiter Orange Metallic
- Neoteric Yellow
- Mirage Green
- Amazon Gray Metallic
- Cypress Green Pearl
- Meta Blue Pearl
- Denim Blue Pearl
- Denim Blue Matte
- Sailing Blue Pearl
It’s unclear if all of these exterior paint colours will be available in Australia.
The interior is also available in the following colours:
- Black mono
- Grey two-tone
- Black and Sage Green
- Black and Beige
- Black and Red point (N Line only)
- Dark Gray Mono (Eco pack only)
When the new Hyundai Kona Electric arrives around October 2023, it will rival the Kia Niro, BYD Atto 3, Cupra Born, MG ZS EV, Volvo C40 and Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.
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MORE: Everything Hyundai Kona
