2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Starts From a Shockingly High £34,995 in the UK

In America, the 2023 Kona range is still on sale, from $22,140 for the ICE-powered models or $33,550 for the Kona Electric. There is still some time before the all-new next iteration arrives across US dealerships, though, with the first sales coming this fall. And while it probably won't cost almost $45k when it hits the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, American customers should still brace for impact because inflation bites, and we're probably not going to see that $33,550 MSRP anymore – but a slightly or much higher one.

Anyway, back to the United Kingdom, Hyundai's local division is proud of "one of the most comprehensive product line-ups in the B-SUV segment," comprising ICE-powered versions, hybrid variants, and EV (standard or long-range) models for the Kona nameplate. More precisely, the all-new 2024 Kona Electric has increased proportions "with a length of 4,350mm (+145mm), a wheelbase of 2,660mm (+60 mm), a width of 1,825mm (+25 mm), and a height of 1,575mm (+20mm)." Interior space has also been upgraded, especially the shoulder width of "1,435mm (+25mm) in the front and 1,402mm (+17mm) in the rear."

Longer, more adventurous road trips will be possible thanks to the uprated trunk space – there are 466 liters (16.45 cu. ft.) to 1,300 liters (45.9) compared to the previous model's 332/1,114 liters (11.72/39.34 cubic feet). More importantly, the all-new Kona Electric also has increased battery size options, so the best range soared to 319 miles (513 km) on a single charge. The powertrain options include the standard range offer with the 48.4 kWh battery pack and 154 hp plus 255 Nm (188 lb-ft), as well as the feistier 65.4 kWh option with 215 hp but the same torque rating. As for charging, the DC fast charging capability was also slightly increased from 75 kW to 102.3 kW.

Alas, it's not all good news. The Kona Electric family includes Advance, N Line, N Line S, and Ultimate trim levels with MSRPs starting at £34,995 and jumping straight to £38,595 ($49,135) for the Advance 65kW version, £40,395 ($51,427) for N Line 65kW, as well as £43,095 ($54,845) for both the N Line S and Ultimate 65kW models. Options are few, though – such as a few paints, the £550 ($700) Comfort Pack, £800 ($1,018) full leather upholstery, and £1,500 or £2,000 ($1,908 to $2,545) Lux Pack, depending on the trim choice. Moving inside, Hyundai offers all the logical tech goodies, from a Digital Key to a standard dual 12.3-inch panoramic screen display bundle, plus a raft of SmartSense Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features.