Another day, another Zoom presentation to learn about some new hotness.
Today it’s the 2022 Hyundai Kona, which we teased last year, with a side of Santa Fe.
As we noted, the Kona now gets an N Line trim so that the brand can argue that its subcompact crossover can be considered truly “sporty” (we’ll be the judge of the merits of said argument once we drive it), and there are new duds.
Other changes include what Hyundai classifies as improvements in performance, efficiency, handling, and connectivity.
Styling-wise, the Kona gets a new grille without changing the look of the headlights, and the crossover also gains 1.6 inches in length. There are new air inlets that are meant to improve airflow integrated into the corners of the front bumper. New taillights and a new rear fascia adorn the Kona’s backside, and there are new wheel designs.
Electric Konas get a new front fascia, new headlight and DRL design, and sculpted fender vents along with a new rear fascia and new wheel designs that are meant to increase airflow. The Kona EV gets new taillamps, as well.
Interior updates include USB ports for the rear seat, improved cargo room, more second-row legroom, and a console that is no longer connected to the instrument panel. The gauge cluster is now digital. For EV models, the center-stack and center-cluster display screens are now both 10.25 inches and a new center-console design allows for wireless charging of phones.
Then there’s the N Line. N Line models will be distinguished from their counterparts by different front- and rear-end designs, body-color cladding, dual-exhaust tips, and a unique to N Line 18-inch wheel design. Inside, N Lines will be known by their black seats with red stitching, black headliner, metal pedals, and N logos.
Engine choices remain a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The latter gains 20 horsepower, up to 195, and still puts out 195 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter now gets the “intelligent variable” transmission, with 1.6 remains paired with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic that Hyundai says is retuned. The 1.6 will be the mill for Limited and N Line trims.
Meanwhile, Kona EVs are powered by a 150 kW/201-horsepower permanent magnet synchronous electric motor that gets its juice from a 64 kWh lithium-ion battery that’s liquid-cooled and runs at 356 volts. Torque output is 291 lb-ft and the estimated MPGe is 132 city, 108 highway, and 120 combined.
Standard is an onboard level II charging system, with up to a 7.2 kW rate of charge. Range is estimated at 258 miles. If the driver locates a level III fast charger, the Kona EV can get from 10 to 80 percent charge in about 47 minutes. It can also go from 10 percent to 100 percent on level II in nine hours and 15 minutes, and upper trims will offer a battery warmer.
Just like the EV, the gas-powered Kona gets 10.25-inch screens for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system. A whole slew of features can be controlled via voice recognition and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, as is the use of one’s phone as a key.
The by-now-familiar driver-assist systems are available, with new or notable ones including a highway-driving assist system that helps with lane centering and vehicle spacing, along with adjusting the speed based on the limit. A system that helps avoid collisions with bicyclists and rear-cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist are new, as well.
Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system remains available, as well, with some new features. It can help monitor the status of EV models.
As for the Santa Fe, our last writeup lacked some specs that Hyundai has since unveiled, the most important being new engines – either a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four or a 2.5-liter turbo-four. Both mate to eight-speed automatics, though the latter pairs with a dual-clutch. There will also be a hybrid powertrain pairing a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor. That one will use a six-speed automatic and have all-wheel drive standard.
A plug-in hybrid is planned.
[Images: Hyundai]
Is the EV version going to be available nationwide or is going to be CARB-state only like every other H/K product with a plug?
I think if they thought they could move the minimum amount of product to profit nationwide, it would be sold nationwide. I would wager they do not feel this way hence limiting it to where it is effectively required to be.
My guess is it’ll be CARB-only, just as before.
H/K’s empty claims about dominating the EV scene are tiresome, and I say this as a H/K partisan. Another problem: They can’t seem to source enough batteries to roll BEVs out nationwide even if they wanted to.
They’re definitely the largest mainstream seller of EVs, and I think part of their reticence to offering them here nationwide is in part because Europe and Korea are snatching the bulk of the supply. Nonetheless, I agree they’re going to need to step things up quickly. The fact that Genesis didn’t launch as an EV brand–especially given that Hyundai definitely had more capital at the time of Tesla’s launch than Tesla did, to start building a nationwide network of chargers–seems like a major oversight.
If I remember the brief correctly, CARB state only, at least at first. Thanks for asking, that’s a good question.
Who asked for more ‘distinctive’ styling? Oh right, automotive writers.
I’m asking for styling which isn’t ugly and uninspired.
I’m convinced the automakers have embedded moles in their competitor’s styling departments with the intention of destroying the looks of their cars.
Assume you are horribly disappointed on a regular basis.
I do like this blue though. Shame what they slathered it on.
They improved the nose of the ICE version, and worsened the nose of the EV version. That charging port door is a hideous asymmetrical abomination.
I’ll be curious to see if this version is better packaged than the first one. The Bolt absolutely embarrasses the current Kona EV in interior space despite being smaller in all dimensions.
An even bigger problem for them will be if the $7k tax credit comes back for GM and Tesla. That puts the Model 3 at $29k and the Bolt at $25k. The Model 3 price is without the annoying “potential savings” money. The Bolt will probably have even more cash discounts. In my state, there is a $2,500 rebate so I could get a rear-wheel-drive 0-60 in 5.3 car for $26k. The Bolt will be 22,495, but GM will probably have more cash on the hood/charging port as usual. You might be able to find one under $20k in some states. Outgoing 2020/21 Bolts should be even cheaper. Especially if that Costco discount is still around. I can afford almost anything, but it’s tough to resist a bargain. Especially for the daily driver that will take a beating.
I bet magically the base MSRP of those vehicles rises should that happen and all in the price drops on those vehicles by about 3k all in. Crazy how that works.
What a shame, that was to be my next vehicle, but both “intelligent variable” or dual-clutch are both off my shopping list as a towing vehicle. They have a great reliable 6-speed auto, why ruin a good thing?
:-(
I think at least three other buyers in these great United States of America were looking to us a dinky subcompact as a towing vehicle. A tragic day for all four of you, for sure. My sympathies.
I see PT cruiser in the second pic.
Kona: it’s coming with length!