First drive in Hyundai Kona EV: It’ll probably beep

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A model cycle normally takes eight years from launch to replacement. Not at Hyundai: Nearly five years later, there’s already a new model generation of the all-electric Kona SUV introduced in 2017.

In the long-term Blick test, the first version convinced us as an excellent compromise between affordable purchase price, range and driving characteristics – an ideal everyday electric car. Now the second generation Kona EV has had a chance to impress us. Starting with the design: The new Kona is likely to be pretty polarizing, with its striking lights, seamless LED strips and wheel arches and lots of curves and edges on its doors.

Value for money still true

Strong range and endless power are not the business of the electric Hyundai Kona. Unlike many other brands, the South Korean manufacturer is surprisingly discreet in its new generation. Instead, it should be suitable for daily use and low consumption.

So it’s not surprising that the engine output is manageable with 114 kW (156 hp). As an electric version, the 4.35-metre-long small SUV is driven only via the front axle and gets 360 kilometers of range from the small 48.4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) battery pack. Not much – but probably enough for many customers.

With an expected starting price of 41,000 francs – Blick says – it has nothing to do with the lightning-fast 800-volt charging technology that Hyundai offers, among other things, in the Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 6 models. The Kona EV uses 400-volt technology – it charges from 10 percent to 80 percent in just over 40 minutes.

Not just electric on the road

If the small battery pack isn’t enough for you, you can order the larger battery with 65.4 kWh, like the current generation Hyundai Kona. It not only guarantees a range of 500 kilometers, but is also linked to the more powerful version with 160 kW (218 hp).

You can’t just flow with the Kona: It’s also available with pure petrol engines and a 120 (88 kW) or 198 hp (146 kW) or 141 hp (104 kW) hybrid version. But the 198 hp turbo petrol engine is the only vehicle with all-wheel drive.

Beeps and flashes

The front-wheel drive vehicle is remarkably fast, impressively quiet, and very comfortably tuned for the compact class, despite its 1.8-tonne weight, even with its small electric motor. Traction is slightly worse due to front-wheel drive, steering is dampened much more than is possible with rear-wheel drive.

The new version hasn’t increased significantly in terms of dimensions, but neither in driver assistance systems: Beeping and flashing like crazy. Is two kilometers per hour too fast or crossed the center line? Kona is already complaining to itself and taking too long to turn off alerts. Wonderful: The five-seater gets out of tight parking spaces with remote control – we endure that independence.

Little miracle of space

Two twelve-inch screens are responsible for instruments and navigation; below it are tactile climate buttons. The available space is reasonable, thanks to the 15 cm increase in length compared to the previous model. Sitting in the front and rear is easy thanks to the 2.66-metre-long wheelbase, but the leg rests could be longer.

The 466-liter trunk is impressive for this class and can be expanded to around 1300 liters by folding the rear seat backs. Carpets and headlining are made from recycled plastic bottles, while air-conditioned seats can optionally be upholstered in ecologically treated leather. The order, launch and prices of the new Hyundai Kona are not yet known.

Source: Blick