Hyundai Kona Electric facelift: 5 things to know

Hyundai Kona Electric facelift gets a comprehensive exterior makeover, and comes with more features on the inside; remains mechanically unchanged.

Published On Oct 02, 2021 08:00:00 AM

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Hyundai Kona Electric facelift: 5 things to know

Launched in July 2019, the Hyundai Kona Electric was the first electric vehicle in India from a mainstream carmaker. The Kona Electric was globally updated with a mid-life facelift in November 2020 and this model is slated to come to our shores sometime in 2022. Here are five things that you need to know about the Hyundai Kona Electric facelift.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric: exterior design changes

The most comprehensive updates to the Kona Electric facelift are to its exterior styling. Up front, the most dramatic change is the complete removal of the grille, giving it a much smoother look, befitting an EV. The headlamps have also been re-profiled and look sharper and sleeker.

While the side profile and rear remain mostly unchanged, what is notable is that the facelifted model wears far lesser body-cladding compared to its predecessor. The wheel arches are finished in body colour and the bumpers too have been subtly redesigned. It also rides on a set of new alloy wheels.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric: interior and features update

Updates to the interior are not as comprehensive as the exterior. However, the facelifted Kona Electric now gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. The infotainment screen has also gone from an 8.0-inch unit to a 10.25 one. The overall dashboard design remains more or less the same.

Hyundai has also updated the BlueLink connected car tech to bring additional services such as voice control, remote charging to benefit from off-peak energy rates and remote climate control to preheat the car if it’s plugged in. It also received a raft of new safety features including blindspot assistance, rear cross-traffic assistance, safe exit warning and eCall, which automatically alerts emergency services in the event of an accident.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric: powertrain options

Mechanically, the Hyundai Kona Electric remains identical to the pre-facelift model. Globally, the Kona Electric is powered by a 39.2kWh battery and a 136hp motor for a 304km range or a 64kWh battery and a 204hp motor for a 483km range.

The Indian pre-facelift model came with the lower-spec 39.2kWh battery and 136hp electric motor. It remains to be seen if Hyundai utilises this opportunity to offer the larger battery with the facelift in India.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric to come to India as CKD

The pre-facelift Kona Electric was brought to India as a CKD unit, but with a small level of localisation to keep price in check. Likewise, the facelifted model will also be locally assembled from imported kits.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric: rivals

When the Kona Electric was first launched in India, it was the only EV of its kind and did not have any direct rivals. However, the market has matured since and the Kona Electric now rivals the MG ZS EV, which sits in a similar price range.

The Kona Electric will also see additional competition from its sibling, the Kia e-Niro, which is expected to go on sale in India by 2023 and will be locally assembled as well. The facelifted model will thus have its competition properly cut out.

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