While the charging infrastructure in India needs to see better days, nothing stopped Hyundai from the being the first car manufacturer in India to launch a fully-electric SUV. In the recent months, the Kona EV has proved to rather popular, thanks to its good range, strong torque and a well built cabin. It’s a properly engineered EV, and it shows. It definitely brings technology to the forefront, and is by far, the best, affordable SUV EV you can buy. For 2021, however, Hyundai has now revealed its Kona EV facelift model for overseas markets.
Fresh face
In terms of the exterior design, you’ll notice a prominent difference on the nose. Gone is the grille panel and in comes a sloping, curved fascia that separates it from the petrol-engined version. It gets even slimmer LED DRLs and newly designed headlamps. It gets flared wheel arches and bold creases along the sides. At the rear, not much has changed. But the tail lights have been tweaked a little.
A breath of fresh air?
The new Hyundai cars features a 10.25-inch digital display that comes as standard. Buyers can also upgrade to a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. You now get rear heated seats and a new USB port. Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity gets you remote climate control, remote charging and voice control. For 2021, the Kona EV will come equipped with rear cross-traffic assistance, safe exit warning and eCall and blindspot assistance.
In-cabin refinement is excellent with no noise what-so-ever. However, you do hear the tyres and the music system plays so beautifully. It also gets equipment like cooled and heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and gets two types of chargers as standard.
Electric power
No changes on the mechanicals front. It continues to employ a 39.2kWh battery and a 134bhp motor that lets it cover a range of 304kms, or a 64kWh battery and a 201bhp motor that helps it cover 483kms. The amount of torque on offer lets you surge ahead, resulting in good performance. This SUV can reach triple digit speeds as well. The handling is good, but the steering lacks feel, because it is electrically powered. The ride quality is impressive too.
Coming to India?
We haven’t yet got news about the facelift model making it to our market, but the current model starts from ₹ 23.76 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The current Indian model gets a 39kWh lithium-ion battery pack with an ARAI-certified range of 452kms. Also, read the latest car comparisons, only at autoX.
