The Hyundai Kona Electric SUV. It’s a jolt!

The new Hyundai Kona Electric SUV maintains the status quo but not in the way you think. While many new electric vehicles go all Buck Rogers on you, (Google him) with space-age features, others like the Kona EV bring it back to earth with an electrical vehicle you can live with. Napleton News plugged it in recently and we wanted to tell you what we thought.

What’s the Hyundai Kona Electric all about?

Not only has the Hyundai Kona been enhanced and restyled for 2022, but the new Kona Electric model has also been improved for efficiency as well. Historically, it’s a significant vehicle being Hyundai’s first SUV available in the U.S. with a fully electrified powertrain. It’s powered by a new high-efficiency electric powertrain with a 150 kW permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor. Together with a 64-kWh Lithium-ion battery, it makes the equivalent of 201 horsepower. Adding to this is 291 lb-ft of torque at the front wheels. The water-cooled system is capable of an estimated MPGe rating of 132 city, 108 highway and 120 miles combined.

Charge-wise, the Hyundai Kona Electric uses a Level-II on-board charging system that’s good for a 7.2 kW rate of charge. At that level, it can reach an estimated range of 258 miles. Using a Level-III charger, buyers will see a charge rate from 10 to 80 percent in around 50 minutes using the SAE Combo charging port. Charging occurs through a port door in the front fascia for easy head-in parking. SEL models and above include a battery warming system that helps speed charging episodes during cold weather plug-ins.

How does the Kona Electric look outside?

If you like the standard gasoline-powered Hyundai Kona, you’ll love the new Kona Electric. The body remains close to what it looked like in the previous model year, but it has been further refined. A modern look for a typical subcompact crossover or sport utility vehicle, it features newly refined head and taillights. A new aerodynamic shape with bold character lines that run the length of the vehicle just below the badging compliments them. There’s also a sunroof and a new “Blue Wave” color scheme.

It is available in two trim levels ranging from base SEL and the high-line Limited.

What about the interior of the Kona?

 

The interior of the Kona Electric varies a bit from the gas-powered version, thanks to the specialized transmission switchgear. It’s not a typical transmission, but it features the normal P, R, N and Drive controls, this time as electric buttons. After about a week inside, we actually remembered where the buttons were and selecting without looking became second nature.

Since our model was the Kona Electric Limited, it included a new 10.25-inch touchscreen display and a 10.25-inch digital driver information display. It also includes a Qi Wireless charging pad at the base of the center console. The seating is well-sorted but not extraordinarily so. It does, however, offer comfortable seating for around-town jaunts and road trips under 255 miles. The Kona has a cargo capacity of 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat. Fold it forward and that area grows to 45.8 cubic feet.

Behind the wheel of the Kona Electric Limited

Acceleration from the power unit is brisk to the point that you can pick off most gas-powered vehicles in a stoplight drag race. We don’t recommend that, of course, but it is fun to watch the torque of the Kona EV blow past a Mustang GT. Kids, don’t try this at home. Take it to the track.

The quality of the ride is exceptional because the acoustic windshield and extra insulation are both working to keep things hushed inside. The Kona Electric has had its suspension recalibrated to be more responsive for some spirited corner cutting. Who says the fossil fuel burners should have all the fun?

Still, we have taken quite a bit of ribbing while driving the EV this week. As we were backing into the driveway, the Kona was making a slight pinging noise as we inched ourselves home. It’s included so that people outside the car can hear it as it approaches. One of our neighbors razzed us by claiming that he heard the car saying “I’m going to change the world,” as it drove by.

We asked, “Why not?”

Hyundai Kona Electric Specifications

	2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited
Engine Type	Electric
Horsepower	201 hp @ 3,600 rpm
Torque	291 lb-ft
Transmission	1-speed automatic transmission
Fuel Economy (Equivalent)	120 mpg (132 city/108 hwy)
Suspension F/R	Strut / Multi-link
Turning Circle	34.8 ft.
Available	SEL trim level
Specs
Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	10 years/100,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not yet rated
Max Seating Capacity	5
Wheelbase	102.4 inches
Length	165.6 inches
Width	70.9 inches
Height	61.2 inches
Cargo Room (Behind 1st and 2nd row)	45.8/19.2 Cubic Feet
Headroom, Front	38.0 inches
Headroom, 2nd	37.7 inches
Legroom, 1st	41.5 inches
Legroom, 2nd	33.4 inches
Shoulder, 1st	55.5 inches
Shoulder, 2nd	54.5 inches