2022 Hyundai Kona Electric gets a raft of changes [Update]

Update: ‘Hyundai EV strategy’ section added.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is now on sale in the U.S., and in addition to packing a slew of changes, it includes a big price-cut from the 2021 model. In this story, we discuss all the aspects of the US-spec 2022 Kona EV. We have included videos and images of the updated American model.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric exterior

Smoother front

Hyundai unveiled a series of updates to the Kona Electric in November 2020 and is now introducing the revised edition for the MY2022 in the United States. The 2022 Hyundai Kona EV looks playful and sportier compared to the 2021 model. The company has smoothened out the electric SUV’s face enhancing the character. The new-look closed grille makes the EV purer and understated. The facelift looks nicer when spec’d with the new Surfy Blue shade that is available in Europe. In the U.S., Blue Wave, Cactus Fern, and Lunar White are the new color options.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric features new LED DRLs and sharper LED headlamps with new multifaceted reflector (MFR) technology. Vertical air inlets in front of the wheel arch cladding give it a sporty styling. At the same time, an asymmetric charging port breaks the monotony of centrally located and brand logo-covered charging ports on EVs.

Video Source: Ed’s Garage

New hood

The hood is new, an uncommon feature with mid-cycle refreshes, which gives it a more powerful appearance. The functional air intake in the lower bumper has satin accent bars and lifts the appearance of the car. Moving to the sides, the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is longer, but not noticeably. The new 17-inch alloy wheels in the funkier design wrapped in low rolling resistance tires make it easily recognizable as the facelift.

At the rear, the 2022 Kona EV has a slightly more aggressive LED taillight and bigger and sharper combination lamps that include new LED turn indicators (instead of PY21W halogen bulbs) split into three vertical bars and wider reverse light. The new satin accent bars on the bumper look weird if you ask us and could look better if it was a body-colored piece.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric interior

New digital cluster

Current Kona Electric customers would be happy to know that their car compares well with the incoming version. The 2022 Kona Electric features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and new, turbine-shaped outer-end AC vents. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is a color LCD unit, and it replaces the old model’s 7-inch electroluminescent digital instrument cluster.

Touchscreen infotainment

Other new features worth appreciating are wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, upgraded Bluelink with more functions controllable with smartphone/voice, and mood lighting. Strangely, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are available in the lower-end 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system but not the optional 10.25-inch unit. The 8-inch unit replaces the old model’s 7-inch panel that came with wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. In place of the 2021 model’s Infinity premium audio system, the 2022 model has a premium audio system from Harman Kardon.

Dynamic Voice Recognition

Dynamic Voice Recognition is another new convenience feature in the 2022 Kona Electric. It’s essentially a more capable voice recognition system. It allows the user to activate and control various features of the vehicle, such as the climate control system, radio station, rear window and side mirror heating, and steering wheel heating.

Minor ergonomic and material changes

Hyundai has redesigned the lower center console storage area for more efficient use of space and the switches for climate control and conveniences. The seating surfaces and materials the dash/door panel materials and accents are also new.

Digital Key

The 2022 Kona Electric offers a shareable Digital Key, allowing users to lock and unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle, and activate the panic alert using their smartphone. Using the BlueLink app, owners can remotely manage and monitor their vehicle, access real-time vehicle data, and perform specific commands. For people who have different electric rates at off-peak times, it is possible with the BlueLink app to schedule charging.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric safety

The Kona Electric is safer now due to improvements in the driver assistant systems department. The first change is that Hyundai has introduced four new features: Highway Driving Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Moreover, the company has made Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection standard. Both Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist can now apply brakes in addition to giving a warning.

Specifications

The water-cooled battery pack and motor of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric are a carry-over from the previous version, but the battery can charge faster. However, while a 10.5 kW three-phase onboard charger was optionally available in the old model in Europe, that is not the case for America. Similarly, the high-output motor and the extended range battery pack are standard for the US-spec facelifted model. Hyundai gives a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery pack.

The 2022 Kona Electric delivers the same range (EPA est.) as the 2021 Kona Electric: 258 miles. The energy consumption ratings (EPA est.) are also the same: 132 city, 108 highway, and 120 combined.

Quieter cabin

Hyundai has improved the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) with the mid-cycle refresh. New acoustic windshield glass, new instrument panel insulation, and additional cargo insulation have reduced the NVH levels. A battery warmer system that helps prevent long battery-charging intervals is available. In Winter Mode, the system helps minimize battery-power losses due to low winter temperatures.

Aspect	2022 Hyundai Kona EV specification
Motor Power	150 kW (201 hp)
Motor Torque	395 Nm (291 Lb.-Ft.)
Battery Pack Capacity	64 kWh
Battery Pack Power Output	170 kW
Battery Pack Voltage	356 V
Onboard Charger	7.2 kW
Top Speed	167 km/h (104 mph)
Range (EPA est.)	258 miles
Energy Consumption (EPA est.)	132 MPGe (city)/108 MPGe (highway)/120 MPGe (combined)

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric charging time

Charger Type	2022 Kona Electric charging time	2021 Kona Electric charging time
7.2 kW AC charger (10-100%)	9 hours 15 minutes	9 hours 35 minutes
50 kW DC fast-charger (10-80%)	64 minutes	75 minutes
100 kW DC fast-charger (10-80%)	47 minutes	54 minutes

Also new on the 2022MY Kona is improved ride quality and comfort, says Hyundai. Thanks to the Hydraulic Rebound Stopper that improves suspension rebound shock when driving over rough terrain, rear torsion beam reinforcement, and body valve shock absorber.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric price

The 2022 Kona Electric’s base price is USD 34,000, which is USD 3,390 lower than the 2021 model (USD 37,390).

Grade\Price	2022 Kona Electric Price	2021 Kona Electric Price	Change
SEL	USD 34,000	USD 37,390	-USD 3,390
Limited	USD 42,500	USD 42,000	+USD 500
Ultimate	NA	USD 45,600	–

Hyundai EV strategy

Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), which sells Hyundai and Genesis brand cars, delivered some 20,000 EVs in the U.S. market in 2021, CEO Jaehoon Chang revealed at the 2022 CEO Investor Day (March 2, 2022). By 2026, HMC aims to increase EV sales in the U.S. to 220,000 units, which would be an eleven-fold growth from 2021. Its sales target for 2030 is a whopping half a million units, 530,000 to be precise. Aiming to be a dominant player in the EV market, this company aspires EVs to account for 58% of its total sales volume and take 11% of the total EV market share in America.

The ambitious goals will need a lot of changes at HMC, most importantly a significant expansion of its EV line-up. The company plans to introduce 17 new pure electric vehicles by 2030, and 11 of them will be Hyundais. According to a South Korean report, the 11 upcoming Hyundai electric vehicles will include the next-gen 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric FAQs

Featured image: Hyundai