A press release from Hyundai USA revealed a glimpse of its 2022 Kona Electric SUV, featuring a slight redesign. According to the automaker, these EVs will be available in the US sometime this spring.
Kona Electric first debuted in Korea and Europe in 2018, before arriving in the United States as the 2019 model. In fact, it was the first Hyundai SUV available in the United States with a fully electric power train. It is also the first EV to climb to Monte base camp. Everest. It may be a relatively new EV, but its global sales have nearly doubled each year since its debut.
Kona electric exterior redesign
One of the first changes that caught your eye on the new Kona Electric is the new front panel. The old wavy grid has been replaced by a minimalist aerodynamic smoothness. As you can see in the comparison image below, the silver finish has been replaced by a prominent horizontal character line, just below the Hyundai emblem. It is below the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs).
Below that, the lower bumper has been redesigned to be more aerodynamically functional and sporty. Moving around the vehicle, Hyundai’s 2022 Kona Electric is based on a new alloy wheel design, optimized for airflow. At the back, the bumper panel has also been redesigned to “loads the reinforcement elements from the lower skirt to the rear of the vehicle”. Newly designed LED tail lights are also present on the 2022 models.
What’s new in 2022 Kona Electric
In fact, there is not much to report within the new Kona Electric compared to the 2021 model. Hyundai’s 2022 Kona Electric will have updates to its center console and center cluster monitors, offering 10.25 ″ screens in each area. This is a major update to the 7 ″ center touch screen and the instrument panel currently available on the 2021 model. In addition, the lower center console storage area now includes wireless charging features.
Kona Electric performance for 2022
The power train for the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric will continue to use a 150 kW (201 HP) engine and a 64 kWh lithium-ion battery. Based on Hyundai’s own tests, Kona Electric will bring together an estimated MPGe of 132 cities, 108 highways and 120 together. This is an estimated 258-mile range on a single charge according to Hyundai, not the EPA. Regardless, all of these specifications correspond to those of its 2021 predecessor.
According to the press release from Hyundai USA, the next EV can charge 10 to 80 percent in approximately 47 minutes using its tier III SAE-Combo charging port. With level II charging, it can reach 10 to 100 percent in about nine hours and 15 minutes. A battery heating system will also come as standard on SEL and higher convenience models. This system helps to avoid excessively long battery charging intervals in cold temperatures and can minimize battery power losses.
In addition, Hyundai’s intelligent detection technologies offer a range of new safety features on all of its Kona models.
- Assistance to avoid collisions in rear cross traffic (RCCA)
- Rear occupant alert (ROA)
- Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with stop and go
- Roadside Assistance (HDA)
- Track Assistance (LFA)
- Safe exit warning (SEW)
Kona Electric owners can use the Blue Link app
With the Hyundai app, owners of the 2022 Kona Electric will be able to access real-time data from their EV. This gives drivers the freedom to execute specific commands, such as starting the vehicle and locking the doors. Owners can also search for specific points of interest in the app and receive instructions when they start Kona.
For homeowners, the app offers the ability to easily manage their loading schedule. While Kona Electric is connected at home, owners can use the app to do the following:
- Start or stop charging
- Configure the loading schedule by day of the week and time
- Check current battery level with electric and fuel range in real time
- View the status of the plug (in / out)
- Check your billing status
- See the time remaining until the charge is complete
Electrek socket
This redesign announced for Kona in the United States is almost identical to the details that Fred Lambert of Electrek reported last November. Judging by the plaques in the photos in the previous article and Hyundai’s history of launching the Kona first in South Korea and Europe, these markets have probably seen these designs first.
In addition, Hyundai USA’s press release seemed to be much more focused on redesigning the Kona gasoline version. This is interesting, given the growing number of car manufacturers that promise to join electricity in this decade. At the same time, Hyundai currently offers only one other fully electric vehicle in the United States, in addition to the Kona, the Ioniq.
All this aside, this is a small but elegant redesign of a popular electric SUV that continues to grow in sales every year. If it didn’t, just make the front look prettier … or something. For now, it looks like Hyundai is more focused on driving EV innovation with its Ioniq 5 sedan. Keep an eye on the Hyundai 2022 Kona Electric this spring.
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