Hyundai maintains top range on redesigned Kona EV around 260 miles

NEW YORK — The redesigned Hyundai Kona Electric will have about the same maximum range as the first-generation version, the company said Wednesday as it revealed the new look for the first time in North America.

The subcompact crossover will be able to go up to 260 miles per charge, according to Hyundai's preliminary estimates, in line with the EPA's 258-mile range rating for the current model. Gasoline-powered N Line and Limited versions were also unveiled at the New York auto show.

The Kona, one of the more affordable electric vehicles in the U.S., is important for Hyundai, particularly after its popular Ioniq 5 crossover was excluded from federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. That was because the vehicle, like the Kona, is assembled in South Korea, not North America.

“By starting with an EV mindset, we were able to bring many of the benefits of the EV to all our Kona models. Things like interior space that’s optimized for the people inside, a high-tech driver-oriented cockpit, quiet cabin and inspiring next-level exterior design,” Olabisi Boyle, Hyundai Motor America vice president for product and mobility, said today.

"The new Kona Electric represents the next step forward in eco-friendly mobility solutions, a key model in Hyundai's rapid transition to clean mobility and progress for humanity," Hyundai Motor North America CEO Jose Muñoz said in a statement.

Compared with the current Kona, the second generation's electric-first design is 1 inch wider and almost half a foot longer. It comes with a pair of 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, a second generation of Hyundai's Digital Key and Hyundai's updated infotainment system. It will be capable of over-the-air updates, Hyundai said.

Equipped with the standard 48.6-kilowatt-hour battery, it has a range of about 197 miles, according to Hyundai’s estimates, with 133 hp and 188 pound-feet of torque. Packed with the 64.8-kWh battery, it kicks out 201 hp and the same torque. With a 400 volt fast-charging input, the larger battery can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 43 minutes, Hyundai said.

The electric Kona will also have a bidirectional onboard charger that can power devices or charge electrical equipment, such as scooters or camping items.

The standard engine for a gasoline-powered Kona is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder estimated to produce up to 147 hp. The N Line and Limited trims offer a 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine that can generate up to 190 hp and 195 pound-feet of torque.

“The all-new Kona and Kona Electric continue to build upon our extremely successful first-generation model, with outstanding efficiency, innovative technologies, distinctive styling, and comprehensive safety features,” Muñoz said.

This article will be updated.