Overview
The latest iteration of the Hyundai Kona Electric is meant to turn heads. And it will. The new Kona Electric design begins its second generation as a more cyborg-inspired fully electric crossover, making the last five years of the Kona look like a total yawn. The 2024 Kona has grown in length, width and wheelbase, resulting in more space, room for a larger battery, and arguably a smoother ride. Hyundai is closely guarding the details of its cool new Kona, but the photos illustrate just how big a change Hyundai’s smallest electric crossover will undergo. The gas-powered Kona, reviewed separately, also gets a complete facelift for 2024.
What’s new for 2024?
2024 marks the start of a brand new generation of the Hyundai Kona Electric. It’s longer, wider and uses a longer wheelbase to maximize its utility. A fresh new look makes the 2024 Kona Electric undeniably different from the outgoing model. With wide-ranging LED headlights and taillights, the theme for the new Kona is pixels. Horsepower has increased slightly, but we expect its driving distance to change only a small amount.
Prices and which one to buy
The SEL trim offers a variety of standard equipment that the base SE misses out on. Its heated front seats are an important feature for areas that experience low temperatures, but not necessary everywhere. All three trim levels are equipped with the same battery pack and permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor.
EV motor, power and performance
Power has increased from last year’s Kona Electric. The new Kona Electric uses a single 214-hp motor to drive the front wheels and won’t offer all-wheel drive. For now, the only Konas available with four-wheel drive will be the gasoline-powered models. The new model has 13 more horsepower than the previous generation all-electric Kona; the new one should manage to outperform the last Kona Electric we tested, which hit 60 mph in 6.4 seconds.
Range, charging and battery life
Although a full breakdown of specifications won’t be made available until later this year, we’re told the new Kona Electric will use a 65.4 kWh battery pack. Built on a powerful 800-volt architecture, Hyundai claims the Kona Electric can recharge its battery pack from 10 percent to 80 percent in 41 minutes during DC charging. It can also be used to power and charge other electrical components, using the “vehicle-to-charge” recharging mode. We expect an EPA-estimated driving range of about 260 miles, which isn’t significantly better than the last generation’s EPA rating of 258 miles. The last Kona Electric managed 160 real-world miles during our 75-mph highway driving test.
Interior, comfort and cargo
The new Kona Electric gets a massive improvement in fit and finish for the new generation. To lift the subcompact EV out of an eco-friendly box, Hyundai opens up the interior space with a floating horizontal center cushion to remove some of the division between the front passenger seats. Ambient lighting also brings some moodiness and personalization to the cabin that helps illuminate the new Kona’s fresh cabin design.
Infotainment and connectivity
To stay competitive in the pixel wars, the new Kona Electric is equipped with two 12.3-inch screens to handle vehicle information and infotainment. This new seamless unit replaces the previous generation’s standard 8.0-inch touchscreen and is larger than the available 10.3-inch screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will likely be standard equipment.
As more information becomes available, we will update this story with more details on:
- Safety and Driver Assistance Features
- Warranty and Maintenance Cover
