Next-gen 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric: Everything we know [Update]

Update: ‘Hyundai Kona Electric N Line & Hyundai Kona N’ sections updated.

The Hyundai Kona Electric has received its first full model change. Certainly, it appears to be an exciting option for American customers who may not require a larger and more sophisticated EV like the Ioniq 5, or those seeking a more affordable choice. Here’s everything we know about the second generation of the small electric SUV, which will sail to the U.S. as a 2024 model.

Design

The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric is larger than the outgoing model, and that’s clearly visible in its exterior. Measuring 171.5 in. in length, 71.9 in. in width, and 62.0 in. in height, the 2024 Kona Electric is 5.9 in. longer, 1.0 in. wider, and 0.8 in. taller than the first-gen model. The wheelbase is 104.7 in., which marks an improvement of 2.3 in.

The new Kona was initially designed as an electric vehicle before it was modified to accommodate internal combustion engines. Even if the 2024 Kona Electric isn’t a bespoke EV, it’s an electric-first design. Hyundai used the significant increments in the dimensions to create contrast between soft surfaces and sharp-radius creases, Auto Express reported on March 7, 2023, citing SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center. The company used many learnings from the Ioniq 6 on this model, Lee added.

Front

The Kona was the brand’s first model featuring Composite headlamps, commonly known as split headlamps, and the second-gen model carries the feature forward. However, while the model started off with horizontal lower lamps, the 2024 Hyundai Kona has vertical lower (main) lamps, as seen on Palisade, Tucson, and other recent Hyundai SUVs. The vertical light assembly consists of a low beam, a high beam, and three stripes of turn signals.

The full-width daytime running light strip, inspired by the Hyundai Staria, is at the hood level. The Electric variant gets an exclusive version of this DRL called ‘Pixelated Seamless Horizon Lamp,’ in which the center portion has a pixelated design. The hood is longer and flatter than that of the outgoing crossover. The grille area looks more sophisticated, thanks to the exclusive pixel graphic details. The charging port of the 2024 Kona Electric, like that of the outgoing model, is located in the front. Keeping the charging port in the grille area makes head-in parking easier when charging.

Side

On the sides, the 2024 Kona flaunts trapezoidal wheel arches for a sharper and more aggressive style. Unlike on the Kona gasoline and hybrid variants, there’s no black wheel arch cladding, for a clean and elegant look that customers usually expect from an EV.

A large Z-shaped character line on both sides further amplifies the SUV’s edginess and gives it an even bolder appearance. An X-shaped graphic forms on the C-pillar area, signifying the SUV’s adventurous intentions. The rear quarter glass panels are bigger, which should give outboard rear-seat passengers a better look at the surroundings.

Rear

At the rear, the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric features a clean, monolithic design with few but clear lines and a slim tail light called ‘Seamless Horizon Lamp’ stretching the width, all the way to the SUV’s shoulder area. Pixel graphic details feature here, too, on the bumper. The combination lamps consist of stop lights, reverse lights, and, turn indicators and their design and location are similar to those of the headlamps. The fog lights/reflectors seem to be part of the pixel graphic details. The high-mounted stop lamp is a new compact unit with the same pixel-inspired design.

Hyundai Kona Electric N Line & Hyundai Kona N

On March 6, 2023, Hyundai said second-gen Kona customers can choose from electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine variants, with each receiving sporty N Line versions. The company suggested that, for the first time, the Kona Electric will be available in a motorsport-inspired trim. Hyundai said the N Line versions sport wing-shaped bumpers to underline a lower stance, black ORVMs, wing-type spoiler, black roof (optional), and silver side skirt.

Hyundai is yet to reveal the Kona Electric N Line, but it seems to have started testing the car in S.Korea. On August 14, 2023, spy shots of what looked like the sportier Kona Electric emerged on Naver. The test mule had camouflaged front and rear sections, but its lower front air intake suggested that it is based on the second-gen Kona EV. It appears to have the N Line badge on the front quarter panels. The notably sportier two-tone wheels are also a strong clue that this SUV indeed is the Kona Electric’s N Line variant.

There are rumors that a go-fast Kona Electric N is also in the pipeline. On March 6, 2023, Motor1.com reported that the company could launch a Kona Electric N based on the market response for the Ioniq 5 N.

Interior

The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric’s interior design is visibly different from the outgoing model. It features a whole new cabin with cues borrowed from the Ioniq 5. Hyundai has used a different two-tone color scheme with light shades, which makes the cabin bright and pleasing.

The 2024 Kona Electric has a more contemporary dashboard. It features a dual-display panel housing a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system together, slimmer central AC vents, a new climate control panel consisting of physical buttons, a new three-spoke steering wheel, and a digital mirror. A 12-inch head-up display projects key driver information on the windshield, but it won’t be available in the U.S. electronic-Active Sound Design (e-ASD) produces a virtual sound as per the vehicle speed, torque, state of the motor, and acceleration through the speakers to make up for the lack of an exhaust system.

USB-C & power outlets

The floor console has a completely new design and structure, and it has been divided into two sections. The front section is more tilted, as a result of which there’s no need to secure the wireless smartphone charging area with a lid on the top. It has USB-C and 12-volt, 180-watt ports. Towards the bottom of this section, there’s a slim panel with a rotary dial in the center and switches on the sides. The rotary dial would allow the driver to set their desired drive mode. Further back, there’s an SD card slot for a built-in dashcam and a storage area with two modular cupholders.

Rear-seat passengers will also find more convenience when it comes to charging mobile devices in the 2024 Kona Electric. While the outgoing model comes with one USB-A port, the redesigned EV features two USB-C ports. So, rear-seat passengers will be able to charge their devices simultaneously and faster.

Column-mounted selector

The 2024 Kona Electric has a steering wheel-mounted gear selector which, like that of the Ioniq 5, has a shiny finish and a ribbed pattern. Repositioning the gear selector from the center console to behind the steering wheel cleans up the central tunnel and frees up more room for storing small objects.

New steering wheel

As for the steering wheel itself, it’s simpler than that of the Ioniq 5. It doesn’t have the luxury car-like two-spoke unit, and some customers will appreciate the conventional three-spoke design. The new steering wheel isn’t chunky like that of the outgoing model. It has a round center pad with four dots, which is morse code for H, instead of the brand logo.

Physical buttons

Many buyers would appreciate that the cabin of the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric isn’t devoid of physical buttons; there are plenty of them. Some of the physical controls will allow customers to access certain functions of the infotainment system like maps and media directly, sans navigating through the touchscreen menus.

Knobs for HVAC

Moreover, there are rotary knobs for climate control—another valuable addition where customers will not have to take their eyes off the road to adjust climate control settings; knowing the position of the knobs and their tactile feel would enable them to change the temperature while focusing on the road. Many carmakers are integrating climate settings into the infotainment or adding a secondary screen on the center console dedicated to climate settings, which can be distracting, and a pain to operate when wearing winter gloves or with damp fingers.

Buttons & paddle shifters

Lastly, the steering wheel also has seemingly well-finished buttons and rotary dials for calling, audio and ADAS. It has lane driving assist and Smart Cruise Control controls on the left spoke and Bluetooth, multimedia, voice command controls on the right spoke. Customers will also be able to navigate through different settings on the digital instrument cluster using the steering-mounted controls. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel can adjust the intensity of regenerative braking.

Rear AC vents & better rear knee room

The interior of the next-gen Kona Electric features a light grey color theme. While the outgoing model doesn’t have rear AC vents, the redesigned model has two of them. We also see new door panels with sleeker grab handles and an electrically adjustable front passenger seat similar to that of the Ioniq 5. The redesigned model’s front seat backrests are slim, opening up rear knee room and further elevating the sense of space, Hyundai says.

The bench-style rear seat has a two-stage latch that allows reclining it. The legroom and headroom for second-row passengers are better than in the first-gen model. Moreover, Hyundai claims the second-row shoulder room is the largest in the class. According to the Auto Express report, first-gen Kona customers were requesting an improvement in cabin space, and Hyundai did listen to that feedback.

Additional convenience features

In South Korea, Hyundai calls the new infotainment system “connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC).” The company has given it over-the-air (OTA) update support, so that it can fix any possible issues, improve existing features, and add new features.

Owners get the convenience of Hyundai’s ‘Digital Key 2 Touch’ app for remote functions via smart devices, a wireless charging pad, and LED ambient lighting as well. The ambient lights also support OTA updates.

There are also some features that seem to the South Korea-specific. For example, there’s an “e-hi-pass” function for automatic electronic toll payments on highways. Another example is Hyundai’s built-in cam 2, a new dashcam that we assume has a built-in Wi-Fi module like in the all-new Hyundai Grandeur.

Cargo

Hyundai has also improved the cargo area based on customer requests. The 2024 Kona Electric has a cargo capacity of 25.5 cu. ft., which is approximately 33% more than the outgoing model. Folding down the rear seats gives a total cargo space of 63.7 cu. ft., which marks a 39% improvement. Thanks to a customizable ‘smart power’ tailgate and a larger load bay, loading things into the cargo area is easier. Additionally, there’s a frunk, offering an additional storage space of 0.95 cu. ft.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Hyundai will offer the 2024 Kona Electric with the following ADAS features:

• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC)
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning (FCA-JT)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Parking Collision Avoidance Assist-Reverse
• Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)

Specifications

The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric will be available in the U.S. in Standard Range and Long Range power-electric configurations, both front-wheel driven. It is experimenting by introducing the Standard Range power-electric configuration here, which isn’t available in the outgoing model.

While the outgoing Kona Electric sold in the U.S. uses a battery pack sourced from LG Chem, the new-generation model is available with CATL-sourced battery packs. Moreover, unlike in the outgoing model, the battery warmer system is part of the standard equipment. Unfortunately, the heat pump seems to have been skipped in the U.S. even in the redesigned model.

The 2024 Kona Electric Standard Range’s motor produces 99 kW (133 hp) and 255 Nm (188 lb.-ft.) of torque. Its battery pack has an energy storage capacity of 48.6 kWh, and Hyundai expects it to deliver a range of 197 miles. The company has confirmed this configuration has a top speed of 101 mph.

The 2024 Kona Electric Long Range’s motor generates 150 kW (201 hp) and 255 Nm (188 lb.-ft.) of torque. Its battery pack has a higher energy storage capacity of 64.8 kWh, and Hyundai sees it delivering a range of 260 miles. Therefore, customers who require a range of 300+ miles would have to upgrade to the Ioniq 5. The 2024 Kona Electric Long Range has a slightly higher top speed of 107 mph.

The long-range variant has a bi-directional onboard charger, so it supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functions. Customers can power devices or charge electrical equipment. A V2L adapter that’s available as an accessory is required to plug in devices and appliances and use this function. Hyundai instructs customers to only use appliances that require under 16 amps.

A new i-PEDAL system offers customers the convenience of one-pedal driving. Also new in the second-gen model is a charging port door lamp, which ensures visibility in the dark. Thanks to battery preconditioning, customers won’t face the issue of the charge flap being frozen, in temperatures as low as -30ºC (-22°F).

Aspect	2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range Specification	2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Long Range Specification
Length	171.5 in.	171.5 in.
Width	71.9 in.	71.9 in.
Height	62.0 in.	62.0 in.
Wheelbase	104.7 in.	104.7 in.
Drag Coefficient	0.27 Cd	0.27 Cd
Cargo Volume (rear seats up/folded down)	25.5 cu. ft./63.7 cu. ft.	25.5 cu. ft./63.7 cu. ft.
Frunk Volume	0.95 cu. ft.	0.95 cu. ft.
Headroom	Front: 39.9 in. Rear: 38.3 in.	Front: 39.9 in. Rear: 38.3 in.
Legroom	Front: 41.7 in. Rear: 36.4 in.	Front: 41.7 in. Rear: 36.4 in.
Shoulder Room	Front: 56.8 in. Rear: 55.2 in.	Front: 56.8 in. Rear: 55.2 in.
Drivetrain Layout	FWD	FWD
Power	99 kW (133 hp)	150 kW (201 hp)
Torque	255 Nm (188 lb.-ft.)	255 Nm (188 lb.-ft.)
Top Speed	101 mph	107 mph
Battery Pack	48.6 lithium-ion	64.8 kWh lithium-ion
Range (Hyundai-expected)	197 miles	260 miles
AC Charging Time (10-100%)	5 hrs 2 min	6 hrs 14 min
DC Fast-Charging Time (10% – 80% SoC)	~43 minutes	43 minutes
V2L		Yes, at 1.63 kVA

First drive impressions

The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric is already available in South Korea, and the majority of the observations from driving the vehicle sold there should apply to the U.S.-spec vehicle. The redesigned model is quite nimble and feels very responsive. There’s a fair amount of wind noise in the cabin, and tire vibrations can also be felt to an extent on the inside. Noise tests are gaining popularity among reviewers, and in the new EV, 65-66 dB is recorded when driving at 62 mph.

The 2024 Kona EV’s suspension is stiff enough to offer a stable drive without bounciness, and it feels smooth and comfortable. The redesigned model is quite sprightly and feels light to drive on S.Korean roads. Enabling Sport mode doesn’t drastically bump the power or torque, or at least those differences aren’t very perceptible, but the steering does tighten up noticeably and instills more confidence. The regenerative braking system has five stages, each with a substantial difference.

What is also promising in the 2024 Kona Electric is its efficiency. We’ve seen the long-range variant displaying an energy efficiency figure of 4.3 miles/kWh, which indicates a range of 280 miles, if that level of efficiency can be maintained. That’s not bad at all for a daily urban cruiser, is it? We should be able to confirm the increase in efficiency once we have the opportunity to test-drive the vehicle in the near future.

Production

On December 12, 2022, S.Korean publication Electronic Times Internet said in a report that Hyundai started production of the all-new Kona in Ulsan, South Korea earlier in the month. The company has five plants there, and according to a report Electronic Times Internet released on November 7, 2022, the all-new Kona’s production is from Plant No.1, which is the site of the outgoing model, and also Plant no. 3.

Hyundai suspended production at Ulsan Plant 3 several times in the first half of 2022 and installed a new production line for the 2024 Kona. It was going to start making the regular and Hybrid variants first and then begin the production of the Electric variant, as per Electronic Times Internet’s November 2022 report.

European production

Since March 2020, Hyundai manufactures the Kona Electric in Nosovice, Czech Republic as well. The Nosovice factory supplies the car to the European markets, and this separate regional production may continue in the second generation.

Release Date & Price

U.S.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric made its U.S. debut at the 2023 New York International Auto Show on April 5, 2023. It will start reaching U.S. dealerships in late fall 2023, and will be available in SE, SEL, and Limited grades. We’re expecting prices to fall in the USD 35,000-45,000 bracket, positioned under the Ioniq 5.

Dealerships have started informing customers about the 2024 Kona Electric by adding the model to their websites. Thus, prospective buyers can easily check preliminary information online already, but they’ll have to wait for a while to know pricing, options, and delivery schedules.

Hyundai has commenced the final local testing phase for the 2024 Kona Electric. The company is leveraging these test runs as an opportunity to promote the EV. Notably, a prototype sporting the vibrant ‘Neoteric Yellow’ was recently spotted without disguise on a California highway. In real-world sightings, the larger size of the redesigned SUV becomes more apparent.

The outgoing Kona Electric had its best-ever first and second quarter sales in the U.S. in 2023. The company had also announced that June 2023 was the best-ever for Kona EV sales in the country. The local division would hope for sustained momentum when the shipments of the new Kona EV begins.

S.Korea

On April 13, 2023, South Korea became the first market worldwide to get the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric. In the brand’s home market, the all-new electric compact SUV was launched at KRW 46,545,660 (USD 35,223) onwards in the Standard Range variant and KRW 49,682,160 (USD 37,596) onwards in the Long Range variant. It delivers a range of 311 km (193 miles) in the Standard Range variant and up to 417 km (259 miles) in the Long Range variant, as per the local certification method.

Earlier, in January 2023, Hyundai Motor Group reached the 1 million sales milestone for EVs worldwide. With a contribution of 256,907 units, the Kona EV was the best-selling electric vehicle of Hyundai Motor Company, which owns and operates the Hyundai and Genesis brands.

Future Kona EV likely to adopt Ioniq branding in the U.S.

Looking ahead, the future model that will succeed the Kona Electric is expected to be based on either the E-GMP or the eM platform. Hyundai will need to decide whether to introduce this EV as the Kona (Electric) or as an Ioniq model. Olabisi Boyle, vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America, has said that the company has made some decisions regarding this subject, it’s just that it hasn’t made them public yet, as per a report by MotorTrend filed on June 14, 2023.

Previously, Lorenz Glaab, former Head of Global Product Management at Hyundai Motor Group, has indicated that the Kona Electric may get the ax when the E-GMP Ioniq EV family is fully developed and ready for mass adoption worldwide. “That sort of direction is possible, but for the time being, Kona EV will still be around and run in parallel (to the E-GMP Ioniq EVs),” he told Autocar in September 2020.

In the second half of the decade when electric vehicle adoption increases and competitors offer electric crossovers at lower prices, Hyundai could consider releasing a smaller Ioniq as the Kona EV’s successor, to keep up with peers in the aspects of looks, space, features, performance, besides pricing. Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President of Product and Strategy, Hyundai, also agrees that an Ioniq model could eventually replace the Kona Electric. That “seems to be likely,” Schemera told Automotive News in September 2021.

TopElectricSUV says

With the Ioniq 5 costing well over USD 40,000, putting it out of reach of many car buyers shifting to EVs, the next-gen Hyundai Kona Electric will have a bigger role in the company’s line-up as the budget model.

The redesigned Kona should overcome the flaws of the first generation such as better space, faster charging, improved HMI, and reduced energy consumption. The all-new model could be suitable for customers seeking an electric compact SUV that’s great value for money. Don’t expect Hyundai to add features like electric door handles, digital ORVMs, solar roof, or a GT version in the interest of maintaining the low price.

2024 Hyundai Kona Electric FAQs

Featured Image Source: Hyundai Motor Group