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Hyundai this week, at the New York auto show, revealed details of US specifications for the redesigned 2024 Kona Electric, along with the Kona Limited and Kona N Line petrol models.
What was missing from the announcement was the Kona Hybrid, a model that had been emphasized as an evolving model and important in the revised Kona global launch.
A hybrid version of the Kona is not part of the plans for the US, according to spokesman Miles Johnson. Sales of Kona EVs have made up about 6% of total Kona sales to date, according to Johnson, but with the redesigned Kona lineup, he plans to increase that percentage significantly.
What could help expand Kona Electric sales, despite the lack of eligibility for the revamped EV tax credit, is the availability of a standard range version that offers an initial 197-mile EPA range from 48.6 kwh of capacity — and almost certainly a lower price than the base 64 model. -kwh $34,885. On the high end, the Kona Electric has a slight increase in battery pack capacity over its long-range version — to 64.8 kwh, extending its initial EPA range to 260 miles.
After the EV tax credit upheaval, it’s a good decision, as it leads to value and perhaps avoids the now awkward pricing position of the previously attractive 2023 Kia Niro EV. Pricing for the Kona Electric has not been revealed.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
The standard Kona Electric will produce 133 hp, compared to the long-range version’s 201 hp, though both will produce 188 lb-ft of torque. So expect the standard-range model to likely accelerate to 60 mph in close to eight seconds versus the long-range version’s roughly seven seconds.
The decision not to take the Kona Hybrid may also have been influenced by its somewhat slower acceleration in this configuration—about 11 seconds for 0-62 mph, combining a 42-hp, 1.6-liter inline electric motor and 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. with a 1.56-kwh battery pack.
The Kona Electric does not operate on the 800 volt architecture that is the basis for the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, among other models, although it is fast enough with the 400 volt remote pack, with 10% to 80% charge in 43 minutes, achievable with the charging connector fast CCS 150 kw which is increasingly common.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric (global)
The Kona’s electric design, as seen in person last week at the show, has become sleeker and more distinctive than previous models, and has a drag coefficient of 0.27. As Hyundai has hinted early with this generation of the Kona, it’s developing an electric version from the get-go—and applying this “EV-led design” to the entire range.
As such, it borrows some of the wrinkles and angular sculpting from the Tucson Hybrid crossover and Elantra Hybrid sedan families, but this is the first model outside the Ioniq EV range to feature “Parametric Pixel” lighting—in the form of a thin strip. Close detailing makes this model look over an inch wider than the outgoing version.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
The actual dimensions are only slightly larger in all aspects. According to Hyundai, the Kona is 5.7 inches longer, and the wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than the previous version.
As before, the Kona Electric hasn’t sacrificed packaging in EV form, despite sharing its platform with the internal combustion version. Hyundai says that the front seats are 30% slimmer, while the second row is a “bench seat without the curve”—together increasing the rear seat space significantly. Cargo space measures 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up or 63.7 feet when folded forward, and a power tailgate is now offered. The gear lever has been moved behind the wheel to free up console space, and there is a minuscule luggage compartment under the hood.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
The petrol version of the Kona, this time, includes a 190-hp, 1.6-liter turbo-4 with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 147-hp, 2.0-liter inline-4 that runs on the Atkinson cycle for greater efficiency. The Kona Electric model gets a multi-link rear suspension versus the petrol model’s torsion-beam arrangement.
With no hybrid in the US, Hyundai has effectively underscored the stark difference in strategy versus rival Toyota, which launched the Corolla Cross Hybrid for under $30,000. This week Toyota also confirmed plans to continue expanding its hybrid offerings and adding plug-in hybrids with a much wider range of electrics.
Hyundai says that the 2024 petrol version of the Kona will arrive in US dealerships this summer, while the Kona Electric will follow suit this fall. The 2023 Kona Electric is only available in 26 states, though Hyundai continues to expand EV availability. And with the standard range Kona Electric joining the lineup, and pricing yet to be announced, here’s hoping the Kona Electric will be more competitive than the $28,795 Chevy Bolt EUV.
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