Hyundai Introduces 2024 Kona Electric with Significant Changes

JAKARTA - Hyundai has introduced the latest Kona Electric with significant changes, both from exterior to interior, for the US market in an effort to increase its electric vehicle portfolio.

Like the previous model, the 2024 Kona Electric still uses the base petrol engine version. However, the design of the latest Hyundai Kona Electric features more compact dimensions than other models in Hyundai's lineup, such as the larger Ioniq 5.

Apart from presenting an electric version, Hyundai also offers the Kona in a conventional fuel (ICE) version and a sportier N Line version. This is done to provide flexibility to customers in choosing an SUV according to their preferences.

President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, Jose Munoz, called the new Kona Electric a continuation of the success of the previous generation model which was renowned for its efficiency, innovation, style, and comprehensive safety features.

"The newest Kona Electric represents a step forward in environmentally friendly mobility solutions, is a milestone in Hyundai's rapid journey towards sustainable mobility, and is our contribution to human welfare," said Munoz in a company statement, Tuesday, September 12.

The 2024 Kona Electric features a smoother front design with elongated LED daytime running lights, which has become Hyundai's signature for several of its models such as the Stargazer, Staria, and Sonata sold in the US.

The parametric design that was so successful on the Ioniq 5 is also adopted in the Kona Electric, especially seen on the sides which have a more rigid and beautifully sculpted appearance. However, the Kona Electric maintains its own design language and doesn't copy its bigger sibling.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric is equipped with an electric motor located at the front, with power reaching 201 hp and torque of 254 Nm for the Long-Range variant. Meanwhile, the standard variant has 133 hp of power and 254 Nm of torque.

The car uses a 64.8 kWh battery pack that enables a range of up to 418 km according to the EPA cycle for the Long Range variant. Meanwhile, the standard battery pack is estimated to have a range of around 317 km.

The Kona Electric 2024 is also equipped with a Vehicle-to-Load feature, which allows this car to be a source of electrical power for housing with power up to 1.7 kW. Other features include a Smart Regenerative system that can adjust brake regeneration energy based on traffic conditions, interior enhancements with ambient lighting, interior accents matched to body color, and dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays for the gauge cluster and infotainment system.

The SUV will be available in the US market starting in the fall of 2023, with an official pricing announcement to follow. The 2024 Kona Electric is expected to have a starting price of USD 33,500 or around IDR 514.7 million.