Hyundai provided details for its significantly redesigned and enhanced 2022 Kona and Kona Electric SUVs for the U.S. market. The new Kona receives a variety of updates driven by U.S. customer research. The fresh design, including an all-new sporty N Line trim, offers a dynamic new appearance. An enhanced powertrain line-up provides both sporty and eco-friendly options to suit a wide variety of buyers, while upgraded connectivity and convenience features make for an even more satisfying ownership experience. The safety suite has also been improved with new active and passive safety features available. 2022 Hyundai Kona N Line is produced in Ulsan, Korea. Hyundai Kona N Line plays a key role in Hyundai’s broader electrification strategy, combining electrified powertrains with a stylish sub-compact SUV body configuration. In fact, Kona was the first Hyundai SUV available with a fully-electrified powertrain in the U.S. Hyundai Kona design elements in the front and rear give it a sophisticated look while keeping its distinct illumination signature. The striking new front design stands out with sporty character lines and bold protective cladding. The stretched hood drops sharply over the grille with a wide, distinctive shape, giving the Kona a powerful demeanor. Enhanced LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) provide a narrow, piercing look forward. Below, the bumper fascia connects smoothly to the wheel arch cladding, forming a robust armor-like motif in contrast to the body. 2022 Kona is 1.6 inches longer than the previous model, giving it a proportional, dynamic look to balance its wide visual stance.
The Hyundai Kona Electric has also been freshened with a new, sleeker front fascia design. The former dimpled grille area has been replaced with a sleek new aerodynamic shape with a prominent horizontal character line immediately below the badging and DRLs. New headlamps and DRLs provide a fresh new illumination signature, and the lower fascia opening boasts clean horizontal strakes. New lower fender sculpted vents are both sporty and aerodynamically functional. In profile, a sporty new alloy wheel design has been optimized for efficient airflow. From the rear, a new bumper fascia design carries the lower valance strake elements through to the rear of the vehicle, and a new tail lamp design neatly finishes the rear view. Inside, the center-stack and center-cluster displays are all new for the Electric as well, with large 10.25 screens in each area for superb driver visibility. The lower center console storage area has also been redesigned with wireless charging capability and efficient use of space. The interior of the new Kona was designed to express a more sophisticated and progressive appearance. A rugged, yet refined look matches the exterior boldness, appealing to customers with an active lifestyle. A new console is disconnected from the instrument panel to stress the horizontal layout, appearing wide for a spacious atmosphere. An optional electronic parking brake is now available on premium trims as a convenience feature. New ambient lighting illuminates the cup holder and foot wells, while an aluminium-like finish adds refinement. Kona’s rear cargo area has been increased and second row legroom has also been improved, along with USB-port access for second-row passengers.
In profile, body color cladding and rocker panels are complemented by a dedicated N Line 18-inch alloy wheel design. The rear completes the dynamic and emotional image, incorporating a large central aerodynamic diffuser in contrast to the body, with dual exhaust tips. At the rear corners, the bumper fascia is formed with sharply-creased lines and strakes enhancing air flow. The N Line interior offers a dedicated N Line color package with black seats and distinctive red stitching, black headliner, metal pedals, and N logos for the seat, steering wheel and gear shift lever, with a sporty presence. As part of Hyundai’s growing N brand, Hyundai has created an N Line version of the Kona to appeal to enthusiast buyers, available for the first time as an N Line version, combining fun-to-drive character with sporty differentiation. Hyundai Kona N Line stands out through its sporty front and rear end, body color cladding, and specific diamond-cut alloy wheel design. The front view is characterized by the dynamic features of the front bumper, harmoniously connected and unified with the body color treatment of the wheel arch cladding. Instead of the rugged skid plate design of the new Kona, the N Line version features an N design aerodynamic lip with low corner fins for a more road-oriented demeanor. Larger, more technical air intake features are further distinguished by a unique mesh design and surface treatment.
Hyundai Kona powertrain offerings have top efficiency levels as a primary target. Kona offers a choice of two gasoline powertrains. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson engine produces 147 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 132 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm, paired with a new Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) for maximum efficiency. The Atkinson cycle design maximizes the effective cylinder expansion ratio (compression stroke vs. power stroke) for greater efficiency. N Line and Limited trims offer a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine generating an estimated 195 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 195 lb.-ft. of torque from 1500-4500 rpm, an advantage over key competitors. Peak torque delivery starts at only 1,500 rpm and holds through 4,500 rpm, for low-RPM responsiveness and performance in everyday driving conditions. The 2022 Kona turbo engine couples to a retuned seven-speed EcoShift® dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for outstanding efficiency with quick, seamless shifting and brisk acceleration.
The Hyundai Kona Electric powertrain employs a high-efficiency 150 kW (201 horsepower) permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor supplied by a high-voltage 64 kWh lithium-ion battery. The motor develops 291 lb.-ft. of torque distributed to the front wheels. The battery system is liquid-cooled and operates at 356 volts. In addition, Kona Electric estimated MPGe is 132 city, 108 highway, and 120 combined based on internal testing. Hyundai Kona Electric utilizes a standard Level-II on-board charging system capable of a 7.2 kW rate of charge for rapid recharging characteristics, with an estimated range of 258 miles based on internal testing. Kona Electric, using a Level-III fast charge rate, can charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 47 minutes using its SAE-Combo charging port. This convenient fast-charging capability is standard on the Kona Electric. With Level-II charging, it can also charge from 10 to 100 percent in approximately nine hours and 15 minutes. For more charging convenience, the charging port is located in the front grille area for head-in parking ease when charging. A battery warmer system is standard on SEL Convenience models and above. The system helps prevent excessively long battery-charging intervals in cold temperatures. In addition, in Winter Mode, the battery warmer can minimize battery-power losses due to low winter temperatures.
