Preview: Improved 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric heads to the U.S.

Sales of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric in the U.S. market begins in spring, Hyundai has confirmed earlier this year. 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

Hyundai unveiled a series of updates to the Kona Electric in November 2020 and is 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.

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: youtube.com/REC Anything

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

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. 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 included in the lower-end 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system but not the optional 10.25-inch unit. The lower center console storage area has been redesigned for more efficient use of space, and also new are redesigned switches for climate control and conveniences.

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.

With enhanced Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and new driving assistance systems like Highway Drive Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), the new Kona Electric is safer than the old model.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric specs

The water-cooled battery pack and motor of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric are carried over from the previous version, but the battery is able to charge faster. However, while a 10.5 kW three-phase onboard charger was optionally available in the old model in Europe, that will not be 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.

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.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric charging time

Based on internal testing, the company estimates the 2022 Kona Electric range at 258 miles and says that its estimated MPGe is 132 city, 108 highway, and 120 combined.

Also new on the 2022MY Kona is improved ride quality and comfort 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 safety

The new Hyundai Kona Electric is safer than the outgoing model packing four new ‘SmartSense’ safety features:-

1. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
2. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
3. Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
4. Rear Seat Alert (RSA)

It also comes with –

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with stop and go
• Highway Drive Assist (HDA)
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric FAQs

Featured image: Hyundai