2024 Hyundai Kona Electric and N Line debut at New York International Auto Show

The brand-new 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric and N Line models were officially revealed to the North American public at the New York International Auto Show

• New 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric to offer 418 km of range

• New Kona was developed as an electric vehicle first

• 2024 Hyundai Kona will arrive this summer, while the Kona Electric model will arrive next year

The second-generation 2024 Hyundai Kona launched for the North American market today at the New York International Auto Show. Developed first and foremost as an electric vehicle, the 2024 Kona brings a wide array of interior and technological improvements while supporting a brand-new exterior design.

Two gas engines and one electric motor

The 2024 Hyundai Kona will be offered in multiple versions like the current model. The powertrain Lineup is quite similar with an entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that delivers 147 hp and 132 pound-feet of torque. The top-of-the-line N Line trim gets a more powerful 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo with 190 hp and 195 pound-feet of torque at just 1,700 rpm.

As for the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric, it features a 64.8-kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor that delivers 201 hp and 188 pound-feet of torque. According to Hyundai, total range will reach 418 kilometres, the same as the current model. The battery can be recharged from 10% to 80% in 43 minutes using the model’s 400-volt architecture.

More EV Features for the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric

Although the powertrain has remained roughly the same as the current Kona EV, the electrified Hyundai Kona adds a wide range of EV-specific capabilities, including vehicle-to-load charging at 1.7 kW, i-PEDAL one-pedal driving mode, and a Smart Regenerative Braking system that can adjust the level of regeneration according to traffic conditions.

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) gives buyers the chance to use their Kona to charge small appliances or camping gear using the Kona’s battery. The one-pedal driving system gives users the ability to control acceleration and braking using just the accelerator pedal.

A More Specious Interior for the 2024 Hyundai Kona

Inside, the 2024 Hyundai Kona will be more spacious than the current generation. There is a total of 723 L of cargo space behind the rear seats with an additional 27 L offered upfront on electric models. Total cargo capacity reaches 1,803 L when you lower the rear seats, significantly more than the 1,297 L of the current generation. The interior layout has also been improved for better versatility, starting with front seats that are 30% slimmer to provide more rear passenger legroom. Moreover, the second-row features Hyundai’s Curveless Benchseat, which removes the middle bump to provide a more comfortable seating area for rear-seat passengers. Overall, the Hyundai Kona is 145 mm longer than the previous model while also offering a 2,600-mm wheelbase, a 60 mm increase.

The dashboard has also been redesigned, featuring dual 12.3-inch display screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system in top-of-the-line versions. The 12.3-inch centre display is standard across the lineup, with entry-level models getting a smaller 4.5-inch digital display within the instrument cluster. The infotainment system will offer over-the-air software updates and Hyundai will be offering the Digital Key 2 system, which allows entry and exits as well as engine starts using a mobile phone.

Outside, the Kona features a distinct design that immediately distinguishes the new generation from the previous model. Electric models will feature a pixelated horizontal light bar and pixel graphics that tie the new Kona EV to the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, visually at least. A drag coefficient of just 0.27 will improve electric efficiency, and the new Kona EV also gets active grill shutters to further enhance aerodynamics.

Whether electric or gas-powered, the 2024 Hyundai Kona makes significant improvements in terms of versatility, interior refinement, and technology. The powertrains, however, remain the same. There’s no doubt that consumers will appreciate the versatility and technological enhancements of the new-generation Kona, but Hyundai could have benefited from providing a bit more power under the hood.

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As for the fully electric 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric, it will continue to provide more range than the vast majority of its competitors and although it doesn’t get the advanced 800-volt charging capability of the Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 6, it should remain one of the most popular EV’s on the market when it arrives next year.