Image gallery: 2019 Hyundai Kona EV SUV
We've just spent some time with the Hyundai Kona EV SUV in South Korea. The Kona EV is set to debut in India on July 9 as the brand's first EV. We expect the Kona to come in as a CKD. This will help Hyundai price it aggressively around the Rs 30 lakh mark.
Internationally the Kona gets two battery options - 39.2kWh and a 64kWh battery pack. The car in question is the bigger one. The smaller battery pack can be fully charged in six hours whereas the larger battery pack gets charged fully in nine hours. Though a fast charger could bring the charge time down to one hour for 80 per cent of charge.
The smaller battery pack provides a range of 300km and puts out 134PS. With this power output, the Kona makes a 0-100 kmph dash in 9.3 seconds whereas the larger battery pack has an output of 203PS and does a 0-100 run in 7.6 seconds.
The rear looks conventional, except for the 'electric' badging
Charging port is located conveniently at the front, eliminating the need to back into tight spaces for charging
Once the flap is shut, you cannot really tell there's a charging port inside
Distinct wheel design gives away the fact that this is the electric version of the Kona and not one powered by internal combustion engines
The Korean-spec Kona EV gets a head-up display that allows you to customise the information you see as also the colours for the information displayed
Paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel allow you to choose from three levels of regenerative braking
Drive selector buttons instead of the traditional 'stick' liberates space in the centre console
Electric motors sit under the hood and power the front wheels. Power is sourced from 64kWh battery packs positioned in the floorboard.
Lack of a grille makes a distinct look, all-LED lights are standard
Rear seat space is typical of compact SUVs, no rear AC vents though
Dash layout is conventional, minus the traditional quirks seen in many EVs
Cockpit offers the feel of a regular SUV
Fully digital instrument cluster houses large circular display in the centre for speedometer and other essentials
A large infotainment touchscreen is mounted on top of the dashboard and is flanked by physical buttons on both sides
The Korean-spec Kona EV gets ventilated front seats with heating and cooling functions both
The centre console houses physical buttons for drive modes as also other controls, along with two cup holders, single USB slot and storage space
The Korean-spec Kona EV also gets an electric sunroof
Also see: Hyundai Kona Electric First Drive Video
Also Watch:- 2019 Hyundai Tucson and Kona | First Drives Video Review