Hyundai this week, on the New York auto present, revealed U.S.-spec particulars for the redesigned 2024 Kona Electrical, together with the Kona Restricted and Kona N Line gasoline fashions.
What was lacking from the announcement was the Kona Hybrid, a mannequin that had been emphasised as a rising and essential mannequin within the revised Kona’s world rollout.
Hybrid variations of the Kona aren’t a part of the plan for the U.S., in keeping with spokesperson Miles Johnson. Kona EV gross sales have been comprising about 6% of whole Kona gross sales up till now, in keeping with Johnson, however with the redesigned Kona lineup it plans to boost that share considerably.
What could assist allow broadened gross sales of the Kona Electrical, regardless of its lack of eligibility for the revamped EV tax credit score, is the supply of a standard-range model providing a preliminary 197 miles of EPA vary from 48.6 kwh of capability—and nearly certainly a cheaper price versus the outgoing 64-kwh mannequin’s $34,885 base worth. Up the lineup, the Kona Electrical has a slight improve within the battery pack capability of its longer-range model—to 64.8 kwh, stretching its preliminary EPA vary out to 260 miles.
Within the wake of EV tax credit score upheaval, that is choice, because it leads with worth and may keep away from the now-awkward pricing place of the otherwise-appealing 2023 Kia Niro EV. Pricing for the Kona Electrical hasn’t but been revealed.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical
2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical
2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical
Customary-range Kona Electrical variations will make 133 hp, versus the long-range variations’ 201 hp, though each will make 188 lb-ft of torque. So count on standard-range fashions to seemingly speed up to 60 mph in nearer to eight seconds versus the long-range variations’ circa-seven-second time.
The choice to not carry the Kona Hybrid may additionally have been influenced by its quite gradual acceleration on this configuration—about 11 seconds for the 0-62 mph sprint, incorporating its 1.6-liter inline-4, 42-hp electrical motor, and 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with a 1.56-kwh battery pack.
The Kona Electrical doesn’t function on the 800-volt structure that’s the muse for the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, amongst different fashions, though it’s fairly fast with the longer-range pack’s 400 volts, at 10% to 80% cost in 43 minutes, achievable with an more and more frequent 150-kw CCS fast-charging connector.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical (world)
The design of the Kona electrical, as seen in particular person final week on the present, has turn out to be sleeker and extra distinctive than that of the outgoing mannequin, and it boasts a coefficient of drag of 0.27. As Hyundai has hinted from the beginning with this era of the Kona, it developed the electrical model from the beginning—and utilized this “EV-led design” to the entire lineup.
As such, it borrows a number of the angular creasing and sculpting of the Tucson Hybrid crossover and Elantra Hybrid sedan households, nevertheless it’s the primary mannequin outdoors the Ioniq EV lineup to usher in the “Parametric Pixel” lighting—within the type of thin-strip detailing that up shut makes this mannequin look greater than an inch wider than the outgoing model.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical
Dimensions are simply barely bigger in all features, truly. Based on Hyundai the Kona is 5.7 inches longer, and it rides on a wheelbase 2.3 inches longer than the earlier model.
As earlier than, the Kona Electrical doesn’t make any packaging sacrifices in EV type, though it shares its platform with inside combustion variations. Hyundai says that the entrance seats are 30% slimmer, whereas the second row is a “curveless Bench Seat”—collectively boosting backseat area considerably. Cargo area is a beneficiant 25.5 cubic ft with the rear seatbacks up or 63.7 ft with them folded ahead, and an influence tailgate is now supplied. The shift lever has been moved behind the steering wheel to unlock console area, and there’s a really small frunk compartment underneath the hood.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical
2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical
2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical
Gasoline variations of the Kona, this time round, embrace a 190-hp, 1.6-liter turbo-4 with an 8-speed computerized transmission, and a 147-hp, 2.0-liter inline-4 that runs on the Atkinson cycle for better effectivity. Kona Electrical fashions get a multi-link rear suspension versus the gasoline fashions’ torsion-beam setup.
With no hybrid on board for the U.S., Hyundai has successfully underscored the stark distinction in technique versus rival Toyota, which is rolling out a sub-$30,000 Corolla Cross Hybrid. This week Toyota additionally confirmed plans to proceed increasing hybrid choices and add plug-in hybrids with way more electrical vary.
Hyundai says that gasoline variations of the 2024 Kona will arrive at U.S. sellers this summer season, whereas the Kona Electrical will observe this fall. The 2023 Kona Electrical was solely accessible in 26 states, though Hyundai is steadily increasing EV availability. And with the standard-range Kona Electrical becoming a member of the lineup, and pricing not but introduced, right here’s to hoping the Kona Electrical might be extra aggressive versus the $28,795 Chevy Bolt EUV.
