Internally referred to as SX2, the second-generation Kona for the US market was revealed with much pomp at the New York International Auto Show back in April 2023. The lineup consists of the internal combustion-engined and the all-electric Kona, with the latter delivering up to 261 miles of driving range as opposed to the originally estimated 260 miles.
If you prefer the metric system, then make that 420 kilometers on a full charge of the high-voltage battery. Coming to a dealership near you in due time, the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric features an 11-kW onboard charger. At launch, Hyundai offers three distinct specifications: the 99-kW SE, the 150-kW SEL, and the 150-kW Limited, all of them FWD. The less powerful SE is equipped with a 48.6-kWh battery, managing 197 miles (317 kilometers) on a full charge. The larger pack is exclusive to the punchier SEL and Limited.
FWD-equipped internal combustion versions of the Kona feature torsion beam-style rear suspension, but the Kona Electric levels up to a multi-link setup because it's quite a bit heavier. Oh, and by the way, 99 kW converts to a respectable 133 horsepower, while 150 kW is 201 horsepower at full chatter.
Roomier and more refined than its predecessor, the second generation carries a sticker price of $32,675 sans the $1,335 destination freight charge. By comparison, the 2023 model continues to be listed on Hyundai's website at $33,550. It should be mentioned that the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric boasts 150 kW from the outset, along with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Safe Exist Warning.
The newcomer is – obviously enough – better equipped in all available forms. For instance, you get 12.3 inches of touchscreen infotainment and a digital instrument cluster of the same diagonal. 33 percent roomier in terms of cargo area, the second-generation Kona Electric further sweetens the deal with projector-type LED headlights, daytime running lamps, taillights, and OTA software updates.
Photo: Hyundai
Front and rear USB-C ports also need to be highlighted, along with Highway Driving Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems advertised as Hyundai SmartSense. The steering column-mounted gear selector is joined by Smart Regenerative System regenerative braking control paddles. What Hyundai calls i-PEDAL is the pompous way of saying one-pedal driving, a widespread feature among modern battery-electric vehicles.
Almost six inches longer than before, translating to approximately three more inches of second-row legroom, the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric rocks aero-conscious alloy wheels. Available goodies include Parking Distance Warning, Surround View Monitor and Blind View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, Digital Key 2 Touch, and a hands-free smart liftgate.
Hyundai Pay allows Kona Electric owners to pay for charging at certain locations from the comfort of their vehicle. As for Bluelink+, that would be Hyundai's way of saying connected car services. Exterior paint colors include seven choices, of which Meta Blue Pearl is exclusive to the Kona Electric. When it comes to interior upholstery, the SE and SEL both come with cloth seating surfaces in black or gray. The Limited sports H-Tex upholstery in either black or Sage Green with in-your-face Lime accents.
For the time being, the only true rival to the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric is platform sibling Kia Niro EV. At the moment of reporting, the Niro EV carries a starting price of $39,600. Its driving range is slightly worse (253 miles or 407 kilometers), and lessees are offered a $7,500 discount rather than a $7,500 tax credit for buying a made-in-America EV.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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