The Experience Of Driving With Hyundai All-New Kona Electric On A Trip From Jakarta To Semarang

Hyundai all-new Kona Electric crosses the toll road in the context of a media drive from Jakarta to Semarang. (Photo: Bagus Muhammad Hafizh / VOI)

PT Hyundai Motors Indonesia (HMID) has officially marketed the all-new Kona Electric for the Indonesian market at the 2024 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). This model is expected to continue the positive trend of this brand in the electric vehicle segment (EV).

Previously, the VOI team had the opportunity to feel the sensation of driving briefly last July. Now, we are invited by HMID to try out this vehicle at the Media Drive all-new Kona Electric event from Jakarta to Semarang.

In the event, the type we caught was the Signature Standard Range on Monday, October 7. What does Kona Electric's all-new sensation look like in long-distance driving between cities? Here's the review.

Futuristic And Dynamic Designs

This second-generation All-new Kona Electric has a different design than the previous version with futuristic, dynamic, and cleaner views. This can be seen in the Pixelated Seamless Horizon Lamp which stretches across the front and back creating an iconic view of this model.

Because the model we are working on is the Signature Standard Range variant, the car has a 17-inch rim with a striking and modern design.

The car we drive has the color Dragon Red Pearl with the two-tone option which shows an elegant red color with a black application at the top of the body which emphasizes the sporty elements of urban vehicles.

Comfort Of Passengers And Drivers

When the trip started from Jakarta, precisely from Antarasa Grand Kota Bintang in Bekasi, the VOI team had the opportunity to become passengers on a long journey. When occupying the front interior seat, the comfort offered was immediately felt. What's more, the all-new Kona Electric type Signature Standard Range is equipped with an electric seat that makes it easier for drivers and front passengers to adjust their seats comfortably.

However, there is one note for us when we were passengers. When passing the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed toll road or commonly called MBZ, this car has a suspension that is slightly stiff and feels like it is swinging when it passes through the shocks in this area.

After resting from the KM 379A Rest Area in Batang, the VOI team also took the wheel to the inn at the Tentrem Hotel, Semarang. The steering wheel at the all-new Kona Electric is very comfortable to hold by presenting various regulatory functions ranging from physical buttons to tuning the play.

When the car is carried at a speed of 80-90 km/hour and passes through the toll road contours, there is a slightly annoying sound of tire friction. However, this can still be tolerated with driving comfort and has good maneuvers in the area.

Abundant Features

This car has a number of interesting features on its inside such as a 12.3-inch multimedia display, steering wheel made of fine skin, front seat heating and ventilating, 8-way front seat settings, and chairs covered with skin.

There is one interesting spotlight that caught our attention, namely the presence of physical buttons on the center console. This can function to make it easier for car users to access interior tuning efficiently other than through multimedia screens.

In addition, Kona Electric's all-new is equipped with the ADAS Smartsense feature which functions to help drivers drive their vehicles. This includes Blind View Monitoring (BVM), Lane Keeping Assist, to Surround View Monitor.

One of the functions that help in driving is BVM. This plays a role so that drivers know the blind spot around the vehicle well.

This feature will activate automatically when the driver turns on the light and immediately shows the conditions around the driver to help him in changing lanes or turning.

Impressive Performance And Price

Because the car we tested was the Signature Standard Range, this compact SUV had an electric motorbike measuring 156 ps and a torque of 255 Nm. When the accelerator pedal was stepped on, this car gave an instant response but still provided comfort.

To accommodate driving, Hyundai offers four modes such as Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow that can adjust the needs of running this car.

Carrying a battery with a capacity of 48.9 kWh, the all-new Kona Electric type Signature Standard Range can cover a distance of up to 448 km in full charging. This variant is sold for IDR 575 million On The Road DKI Jakarta.

For information, HMID sells five different variants for the all-new Kona Electric at prices ranging from Rp499 million to the highest Rp590 million.

Conclusion

Please note, All-new Kona Electric is not only Hyundai's second electric car assembled in Indonesia, but also the first car to use a locally made battery. Supposedly, with this step, car prices can be more competitive to compete fiercely in the Indonesian automotive market.

The VOI team assessed that Kona Electric's all-new could be considered by buyers who want urban electric cars but also function well for inter-city travel needs.

This car not only offers optimal comfort, but also is also fun driving according to the car slogan Your Future Playground. However, of course everything goes back to consumer needs.