The 2024 Hyundai Kona is already reaching dealerships, whereas the Kona Electric model, Hyundai says, gained’t arrive till late fall.
You ought to wait, as a result of the EV model of Hyundai’s small utility car is hands-down the most effective of the bunch.
We had two transient stints in a prototype Kona Electric within the rolling Maryland horse nation outdoors Baltimore final week. Even from that restricted drive, it was clear the electrical Kona is smoother and quieter, and that it accelerates in addition to essentially the most highly effective gasoline model.
The new Kona joins a handful of different autos provided with both gasoline or electrical powertrains—a lot of them BMWs—through which the EV is clearly higher. Those embody the ultra-luxury BMW i7 towards both of its gasoline 7-Series brethren.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
The wild card right here—and the way the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric measures up versus EV rivals—is value. Slotting simply above the extra bare-bones Venue, the Kona is basically the compact entry car within the Hyundai lineup for the rising variety of SUV consumers who gained’t contemplate its Elantra sedan. The new gasoline Konas begin at $25,435, or $2,200 larger than final 12 months, and run to roughly $33,000.
The 2023 Kona Electric was priced at a whopping $11,000 over its gasoline counterparts. Applying an analogous distinction, the 2024 Kona Electric may begin at $36,500 or extra—close to Tesla Model 3 territory. But a brand new base-battery model may present one thing nearer to a rival to the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf.
Pricing for the EV gained’t be launched till later this fall, so it’s wait-and-see hypothesis till then.
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100897476_l.webp?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100882478_l.jpg?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
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2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Is it an EV? Hard to inform
From the skin, the one large inform {that a} 2024 Kona lacks a combustion engine is on the nostril. Both powertrains have the identical skinny “seamless horizon” band of sunshine working backward and forward just under the hood edge. On the EV, they’re made up of dozens of tiny pixels—as are the rear lamp and the decrease bumper edges.
The exaggerated wheel arches are body-color within the EV, versus contrasting black within the gasoline Kona, and the grille within the latter model for air to go via to the radiator is blanked off. A operated by hand charge-port door sits excessive on the left aspect of the nostril, and there’s a shallow compartment below a black plastic cowl that serves as a entrance trunk to retailer the transportable charging twine.
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100882479_l.jpg?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100882480_l.jpg?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
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2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Inside, the 2 automobiles share virtually all inside fittings. Both variations now have a twist selector for drive, as an example, on the fitting aspect of the steering column behind the wheel. Naturally the Electric has extra screens for information and settings inside the identical twin 12.3-inch horizontal shows.
Kudos to Hyundai for offering a flat rear ground within the 2024 Kona Electric, making occasional third passengers within the rear seat markedly extra snug. It’s a small contact, however in a automobile this dimension, it makes a distinction. There’s 3.0 inches extra rear-seat legroom than final 12 months too.
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100897429_l.webp?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Colors differ: Six paint shades are shared amongst each powertrains, together with the inevitable white, silver, charcoal, and black, plus a inexperienced and a yellow. But the Kona Electric is the one mannequin to supply Meta Blue, a silvery-blue tone—and the EV presents no reds in any respect. A novel inside Sage Green leatherette is exclusive to the Limited trim on the Kona Electric.
Two Kona EV battery sizes
For the second-generation Kona Electric, Hyundai presents two battery capacities: the Standard Range model has 48.6 kwh, whereas the Extended Range mannequin has 64.8 kwh. Ranges differ, after all: Hyundai tasks a 200-mile EPA mixed score for the Standard, and 261 miles for the Extended. Note the latter is 2 miles greater than the 2024 Chevy Bolt EV.
Mechanicals are related, however motor energy is software-limited with the smaller battery. That’s rated at 133 hp (99 kw) whereas the Extended Range will get a lift to 201 hp (150 kw).
Dean Schlingmann, a hybrid and EV powertrain engineer on the drive occasion, was a part of the workforce that designed a brand new technology of drive motor for the 2024 Kona Electric. He instructed Green Car Reports the motor within the earlier technology supplied substantial peak energy at 3600 rpm, however its output fell away at larger motor speeds. Hyundai’s engineers intentionally shaved peak output within the new motor to increase the facility curve to 6000 rpm, sustaining energy supply at larger speeds—and gained 1-2% effectivity in doing so.
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2924-hyundai-kona-electric_100897561_l.webp?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Only the entrance wheels are pushed; in contrast to gasoline Konas, all-wheel drive will not be an choice on the Kona Electric. For that, within the Hyundai EV lineup, it’s important to transfer as much as the bigger Ioniq 5, possible at the least $10,000 extra for comparably geared up autos.
The onboard charger can now function at 11 kw, versus 7.2 kw final 12 months, chopping Level 2 cost time for the bigger pack from to six hours, from final 12 months’s 9.5 hours. The peak fast-charging charge rises to 85 kw from 75 kw, although a 10-80% cost of the massive pack nonetheless takes 40 minutes or extra.
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2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100882471_l.jpg?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Kona EV driving impressions: Suitably swift
Hyundai had solely two prototype Kona Electrics, each Extended Range, on the launch occasion. Short 10-minute loops had been moreover difficult by seven police automobiles from varied jurisdictions that had completely closed a key crossroads close by. We drove for one loop, then rode together with one other driver for the second.
It’s instantly clear the Kona Electric is extra nice to drive than the 1.6T, with its turbocharged 1.6-liter turbo-4 and 8-speed computerized. The gasoline automobile is rated at 190 hp (at 6000 rpm), however below most circumstances, it requires a handful of downshifts to entry passing energy, whereas the turbo spools up. This outcomes from tuning the automobile (and selecting tall gear ratios) to fulfill more and more stringent fuel-economy necessities whereas nonetheless offering the get-up-and-go to maintain up with quick visitors.
The Kona Electric, however, delivers immediate energy from the primary push of the accelerator, just about like several EV. From the driving force’s seat, it’s linear energy; this isn’t a velocity demon, not to mention the type of automobile that delivers kick-you-in-the-kidneys acceleration. It’s suitably swift with out being a velocity demon, and the accelerator response is clearly much less peaky than it was within the earlier technology—simply as Schlingmann instructed us.
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100897443_l.webp?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100897444_l.webp?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
![2024 Hyundai Kona Electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric](https://i0.wp.com/images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2024-hyundai-kona_100882487_l.jpg?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1)
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
On the highway, the electrical Kona feels extra stable, and with the battery pack below the cabin decreasing the middle of gravity, it holds the highway and corners properly. According to Schlingmann, the load distinction between electrical and ICE variations of the SEL trim is a mere 250 kilos—however the EV feels extra substantial than such a slight distinction on a 3,100-pound automobile would recommend.
As at all times, the driving force has to invoke the i-Pedal one-pedal driving mode after each single energy cycle—an annoyance when rivals just like the Bolt EV “latch” it via ignition on/offs. In i-Pedal mode, nevertheless, the 2024 Kona Electric not requires the driving force to brake under about 5 mph. Instead, it’s going to gradual the automobile proper right down to a cease—a significant enchancment for individuals who desire one-pedal operation.
Depending on pricing, we’d count on the Extended Range to be the extra widespread of the pair, with the Standard’s function being to supply a pretty beginning value at a decrease trim degree. Expect extra readability when extra particulars on trim and pricing can be found nearer to its on-sale date.
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Hyundai supplied practice fare, lodging, and meals to allow Green Car Reports to deliver you this first-person drive report.
Source: www.greencarreports.com