Hyundai has revealed powertrain details for the all-new 2024 Kona Electric, which will be offered solely in front-wheel drive but with two battery pack options and maximum power of 215 horsepower.
Two derivatives, designated Standard Range and Long Range, will be made available. The former uses a 48.4 kWh battery and musters up 154 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai makes no mention of claimed range for this model. The latter gains motivation from a larger 65.4 kWh battery. The torque remains the same, but power is boosted to 215 hp.
Hyundai claims the Long Range variant can travel 304 miles on a single charge based on WLTP testing. We expect the EPA estimates will be less impressive, but it's safe to assume the newcomer will best the existing model's claimed 258 miles.
The automaker says the Kona Electric can recharge from 10% - 80% in 41 minutes when plugged into a fast charger. It is worth noting the Ioniq 5 can do the same in just 18 minutes.
It should be a boon to drive in crowded city traffic, thanks to the clever i-Pedal and Smart Regenerative System. The i-Pedal enables drivers to speed up, slow down and come to a full stop using only the accelerator pedal. It works in tandem with the Smart Regenerative System, which uses forward traffic information to adjust the regenerative braking.
Another brilliant feature is the vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality. The Kona Electric has exterior and interior outlets that let users charge electric devices. If the car is parked at home, for example, it can power nearby appliances and devices - handy during an unplanned blackout.
Customers in cold weather climates will be pleased to know the new Kona Electric comes standard with battery pre-conditioning, which will ensure proper charging and superior range performance in freezing temperatures. The charging port can also be opened when frozen and features a lamp for improved visibility.
We already know the Kona Electric receives unique styling touches and were recently treated to an up-close look at the exterior and interior. Hyundai has more to share on this front, though, adding that the Kona is one of the largest vehicles in its class. This pays dividends when it comes to occupant space.
A 104.7-inch wheelbase should result in satisfactory passenger space front and rear. Width is pegged at 71.8 inches and height at 62 inches. Overall length comes to 171.4 inches, meaning it's still reasonably compact.
Passengers will enjoy 39.9 and 38.2 inches of headroom at the front and rear, respectively.
Rear occupants make do with up to 36.4 inches of legroom, while those up front have as much as 39.9 inches to stretch out in. The outgoing Kona Electric is outclassed on almost all fronts.
With the frunk included, the Kona offers up to 17.4 cu ft of packing space. Owners will come to enjoy the high specification levels, too, although certain features like the head-up display won't be made available in North America. However, buyers can look forward to over-the-air (OTA) updates, a host of driver safety assistance features, LED headlights, and a Bose Premium sound system.
It's worth noting the power figures quoted here are for the European models, so there's still hope that a more powerful variant is in the cards for the American market. We can expect the Kona Electric and the rest of the lineup to debut later this year.