The new Hyundai Kona Electric (2021 Facelift)

This is a review of the all new Hyundai Kona electric facelift 2021.
- The new Hyundai Kona Electric has a new purer exterior design, signifying clean electric mobility
- Additional safety, connectivity and convenience features ensure an even better driving experience
- Kona Electric continues to deliver one of the best all-electric driving ranges of any electric car, with up to 484 kilometres (WLTP)

The new Kona Electric has undergone a series of bold exterior design updates. By combining a clean and sleek appearance with the protective and bold B-SUV body type of the Kona, it expresses its exceptional electric technology while being even more recognisable on the road.

The front with the new-look closed grille features a pure and clean design. This modern look is further enhanced by the new LED Daytime Running Lights, which emphasise the car’s wide stance. The front is complemented by an asymmetric charging port, a feature unique to the Kona Electric which makes a strong statement about driving electric.

For the first time, the new Kona Electric is equipped with a 10.25-inch digital cluster, while an optional 10.25-inch AVN screen is carried over from the last update. The AVN unit incorporates multimedia and convenience features including Bluelink, Hyundai LIVE Services and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, further democratising advanced connectivity for Hyundai drivers. Customers who select the eight-inch Display Audio system can wirelessly connect their smartphones to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Thanks to Remote Charging, new Kona Electric drivers can start and stop charging at the push of a button on their smartphone via the Bluelink® app. During colder months, Remote Climate Control allows users to schedule a time that they would like to pre-heat their car electrically when connected to an external power source. As well as providing additional comfort to occupants, this also saves battery power that would otherwise be needed to heat the vehicle on the road.

The long-range version with a 64 kWh battery features an electric motor which delivers maximum power of 204 PS (150 kW), accelerating the Kona Electric to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The basic version has a battery capacity of 39.2 kWh, with the motor delivering 136 PS (100 kW), accelerating to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds. The long-range battery version provides a maximum speed of 167 km/h, with the standard-range battery version offering 155 km/h.

Both powertrain versions deliver 395 Nm of immediate torque, ensuring the new Kona Electric is fun-to-drive with full power available from the first second.

Charging the lithium-ion polymer battery from 10 to 80 per cent only takes about 47 minutes using a 100 kW direct current (DC) fast charger. The Kona Electric features an optional 10.5-kW three-phase on-board charger, allowing for significantly shorter charging times using public three-phase AC charging stations or with a private compatible wall box at home. Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box).

The new Kona Electric features a state-of-the-art Hyundai safety package for peace of mind. Hyundai SmartSense provides comprehensive, best-in-class active safety and driving assistance systems, and the new Kona Electric is now equipped with even more functions than its predecessor.

Upgraded Hyundai SmartSense features that feature on the new Kona Electric include Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), which offer not just warnings to drivers, but also implement the brakes where necessary. RCCA works to avoid a collision when reversing, as the car’s sensors detect approaching vehicles from both sides, with the brakes applied if necessary. Meanwhile, BCA engages the car’s differential brakes to prevent an accident if another vehicle is detected near the rear corner and the driver attempts to change lanes.

Another feature new to this model is Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), which alerts the driver if they do not react fast enough when the vehicle ahead of them starts moving. Further new safety features include Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and Rear Seat Alert (RSA). SEW warns passengers intending to exit the vehicle if it is not yet safe to do so. RSA is a door-checker feature that recognises if the rear doors have been opened prior to departing. When the drive is completed, the car alerts the driver if someone or something is in the back seat when they open the doors. In addition, the new Kona Electric is also available with eCall, a feature which automatically alerts emergency services if the airbags are deployed or the eCall button is pushed.

Hyundai Kona Electric Specifications:
▪ Length/width/height/wheelbase - 4,205/1,800/1,555/2,600 mm
▪ Ground clearance – 158 mm
▪ Luggage capacity – 332 litre

▪ Engine (Standard Range) - Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
▪ Max output - 136 PS (100 kW)
▪ Max torque - 395 Nm
▪ Transmission - Single-speed reduction gear, FWD
▪ 0-100 km/h - 9.9 seconds
▪ Top speed - 155 km/h
▪ Driving range - 305 km
▪ Efficiency - 14.3 kWh/100km
▪ Battery capacity - 39.2 kWh
▪ Charge time 10-100% 220V/12A - 17 hours
▪ Charge time 10-100% AC 7.2 kW charger - 6 hours
▪ Charge time 10-100% AC 10.5 kW charger - 4 hours 20 min
▪ Charge time 10-80%, DC 50 kW charger - 48 min
▪ Charge time 10-80%, DC 100 kW charger - 47 min

▪ Engine (Long Range) - Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
▪ Max output - 204 PS (150 kW)
▪ Max torque - 395 Nm
▪ Transmission - Single-speed reduction gear, FWD
▪ 0-100 km/h - 7.9 seconds
▪ Top speed - 167 km/h
▪ Driving range - 484 km
▪ Efficiency - 14.7 kWh/100km
▪ Battery capacity - 64.0 kWh
▪ Charge time 10-100% 220V/12A - 28 hours
▪ Charge time 10-100% AC 7.2 kW charger - 9 hours 15 min
▪ Charge time 10-100% AC 10.5 kW charger - 6 hours 50 min
▪ Charge time 10-80%, DC 50 kW charger - 64 min
▪ Charge time 10-80%, DC 100 kW charger - 47 min