Hyundai is ready to roll out its next-generation Kona Electric, offering a sneak peek into what’s coming in 2024. The Korean automaker aims to build on the current model’s affordability, with the outgoing generation priced at just under $35,000. However, how much of an upgrade is the 2024 version, really?
The car incorporates a lot of elements from the Ioniq 5
One of the highlights of the revamped Kona Electric is its aerodynamic design. Its nose is sleeker and the LED daytime running lights now span the full width of the car. But if you’re looking for revolutionary changes in its overall appearance, you might be a bit disappointed. The side profile has incorporated some elements from the Ioniq 5, but the resemblance is faint at best.
Performance-wise, the 2024 Kona Electric seems to have only incremental improvements. The vehicle boasts a drag coefficient of 0.27, compared to 0.29 of its predecessor, aiming for a smoother ride. The battery pack has grown, albeit slightly, from 64 kWh to 64.8 kWh, pushing the range from 258 miles to an estimated 260 miles. In terms of charging, you can now get from a 10% to 80% charge in 43 minutes, an uptick but not a game-changer.
The interior adds some new features like dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and gauge cluster, as well as ambient lighting. Yet, the Kona Electric is still based on Hyundai’s K3 platform, originally intended for gas vehicles, instead of the advanced Electric-Global Modular Architecture (E-GMP) seen in newer models like the Ioniq 5.
Orders for the new Kona Electric Vehicle will open in late fall 2023, with pricing yet to be announced. It will be manufactured in both South Korea and Czechia, and it’s clear that while Hyundai’s best-selling EV remains the Ioniq 5, they hope the Kona will find its own niche.
RELATED:
- Volkswagen to start manufacturing electric bicycles in partnership with Pon Holdings
- Ego Power+ Mini Bike unveiled as the Chevron brand’s first electric two-wheeler
- Best Smart Rings of 2023
(Via)
