2024 Hyundai Kona Electric

Overview

The newest iteration of the Hyundai Kona Electric is meant to turn heads. And it will. Beginning its second generation as a more cyborg-inspired fully-electric crossover, the new Kona Electric's design makes 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 a smoother ride. The maximum driving range is up too, though only barely, to an estimated 260 miles. The Kona Electric is front-wheel drive only and the two battery packs offered, differ in output by 133- and 201 horsepower. The gas-powered Kona, reviewed separately, also gets a complete overhaul for 2024.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#13 in Best Electric SUVs

1

Hyundai Ioniq 5

STARTING AT: $44,000

2

Kia EV9

STARTING AT: $56,395

3

Kia EV6

STARTING AT: $43,975

4

Ford Mustang Mach-E

STARTING AT: $41,890

5

Volkswagen ID.4

STARTING AT: $41,160

13

Hyundai Kona Electric

STARTING AT: $34,050

What's New for 2024?

The 2024 model marks the beginning of an all-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 unmistakably different from the outgoing model. With wide-spanning LED headlights and taillights, the theme for the new Kona is pixels.

Pricing 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 are not necessary everywhere. All three trim levels are equipped with the same battery pack and the same permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

All Kona Electrics are front-wheel drive and powered by a single electric motor. The entry-level offering makes 133 horsepower but a more powerful 201-hp version is available too. We had a chance to briefly test drive the more powerful of the two in Europe. Acceleration felt perky the Kona Electric lacks the neck-snapping satisfaction we've come to expect from other EVs. Handling is competent but the Kona's clearly been tuned with comfort in mind, and the quiet operation of the electric powertrain and the isolated cabin make it an easy-going commuter. When we tested the previous-generation Kona Electric, we recorded a 60 mph time of 6.4 seconds. Although this new version is slightly more powerful, we estimate it will ultimately prove slightly pokier. When we get a chance, we'll take the new one to our test track and update this story with test results and more driving impressions.

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Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The Kona Electric offers two different battery packs. The base Kona Electric uses a 48.6-kWh unit with an estimated range of about 200 miles. A larger 64.8-kWh battery is available and bumps the estimated driving range to about 260 miles. Hyundai claims that the Kona Electric can recharge its battery pack from 10 percent to 80 percent in 43 minutes during DC charging.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The Kona Electric earned EPA fuel economy estimates of 129 MPGe city and 103 MPGe highway. When we get a chance, we'll take the Kona Electric on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test and update this story with real-world test results. For more information about the Kona Electric's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The new Kona Electric receives a massive improvement in fit and finish for the new generation. To elevate the subcompact EV from an eco-friendly-feeling box, Hyundai opens up the interior space with a floating horizontal center pad to remove some of the division between front passenger seats. Ambient lighting also brings a little bit of moodiness and personalization to the cabin that helps illuminate the new Kona's fresh cockpit design. Unlike other EVs, the Kona Electric offers only a small front trunk suitable for storing the SUV's portable charging cables. Luckily, there's a much larger cargo area behind the rear seats.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

To stay competitive in the pixel wars, the new Kona Electric is outfitted with two 12.3-inch displays to handle vehicle info 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 display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will likely be standard equipment.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Hyundai hasn't officially released all of the Kona Electric's standard and optional features, but we suspect it will come with the same suite of driver-assistance features as the gasoline-powered Kona. That package of features includes automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but other tech such as a driver-monitoring system and a self-parking feature are also available. For more information about the Kona Electric's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai's warranty coverage is legendary at this point, and the Kona EV benefits further from a three-year/36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan. Like other EVs, the Kona Electric has no oil, oil filter, or spark plugs to change, so the complimentary scheduled maintenance includes tire rotation, cabin air-filter changes, and a variety of different system inspections.

• Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Battery warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Vehicle Type: front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE (C/D EST)
Base: $35,000

POWERTRAIN
Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 133 or 201 hp, 188 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 48.6 or 64.8 kWh
Onboard Charger: 10.8 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 100 kW
Transmission: direct-drive

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.7 in
Length: 171.5 in
Width: 71.9 in
Height: 62.0 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52–55/45 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 64/26 ft³
Curb Weight (C/D est): 3500–3700 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.7–8.6 sec
100 mph: 17.6–19.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.2–17.1 sec
Top Speed: 101–107 mph

EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 113–122/126–136/101–108 MPGe
Range: 197–260 mi

More Features and Specs