Hyundai is currently in an unusual position for the brand – in defense. Because the Koreans had a good nose: a comparatively small SUV with electric drive did not have many competitors in its range. Now something is finally moving, and Hyundai reacts with a tiny facelift of the Kona electric.

Whether that is The even more unadorned front, which no longer has a pattern, is actually an asset in terms of appearance, is certainly in the eye of the beholder. The same applies to the sidelines, where grooves have recently been drawn around the wheel arches. Has the Kona become more beautiful? Well, at least it is unquestionably different. The lights at the front and rear got a different interior.

Display in a retro look The facelift also remains in the interior reluctant. After the beginning 2020 already the new infotainment system A display now follows as a combination instrument in a retro look. Its representation is already known from the new Hyundai Tucson. The outer ventilation nozzles got a different shape – and that was it with the innovations in the interior.

Hyundai Kona electric 2021 (13 Photos) The Hyundai Kona electric was only temporarily to have after a long wait. In the meantime, Hyundai has ramped up production and the Kona also got competition.

Functional there are small advances in detail. The infotainment system, which has just been introduced, is being given enhanced voice control, which can now also be used to control some vehicle and smartphone functions. New in the Kona is the automatic emergency call system eCall, which alerts the emergency services as soon as the airbags have triggered.

Warner for cross traffic and cars in the blind spot have already existed, in the future these two assistants will have access rights – they can so not only warn, but also brake to avoid accidents. Another new feature is a junk notification if the driver does not react if the cars in front of him have already driven away at a traffic light, for example. May it “liquefy” city traffic.

Drives unchanged The two drive trains that Hyundai offers in the Kona electric remain unchanged. The basic model offers a 39, 2 kWh battery and one 100 – kW electric motor. Up to now, it has only been possible to charge with alternating current, but with up to 7.2 kW – which is known to be difficult to use at home in Germany. At least for a surcharge, the revised version is finally also available for the 39, 2 kWh Kona a three-phase charger that can operate up to 11 kW offers. In the model with a more powerful engine (100 kW) and 64 – kWh battery is a three-phase charger as standard.

The charging options at a glance

loading option Connection to Kona with 39, 2 kWh Kona with 64 kWh DC fast charging battery charge from 10% on 80% 50 – kW charger 48 min 64 min 100 – kW charger 48 min 47 min Three-phase AC charging Battery charging from 10% on 100% 7.2 kW onboard charger 5h 8h 11 – kW onboard carrier 3h 25 min 5h 30 min 230 Volt socket / 12 A battery charge from 10% on 100% ICCB emergency charging cable 13H 20 min 21H 30 min Range in the WLTP 305 km 484 km Motor power 100 kW 150 kW Charging stations in price comparison

With 16 Percent VAT, the prices started so far at 33. 971 Euro. Who makes use of all options, comes to a list price of more than 55. 000 Euro – a lot of money for a 4, 18 Meter short SUV, which is then also lavishly decorated. The prices for the revised version, which will be available from the end of January 2020 is on the market, could not be found out in advance. We do not expect any major upward shifts. Because the competition is currently increasing significantly. So it is quite possible that Hyundai will soon have to react more profoundly than with the reshaping of a few plastic parts.

(mfz)