Hyundai has given the Kona Electric several updates
for the 2020 model year, despite the fact that the crossover debuted just
earlier this year. The most significant change is the Navigation System Display which
grows in size from 8 inches to 10.25 inches on the range-topping Ultimate trim.
It comes with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. Hyundai’s
first compact electric crossover in the U.S. also gains a standard battery
warmer system on Limited and Ultimate grades.
According to the automaker, the system helps prevent
excessively long battery-charging intervals in cold temperatures. Furthermore,
in Winter Mode, the battery warmer can minimize battery-power losses due to low
winter temperatures.
The rest of the package remains unchanged, which
means the Kona Electric continues to offer an EPA-rated driving range of 415 km thanks to a high-voltage 64 kWh lithium-ion battery which feeds
an electric motor delivering 201 HP and 394 Nm of
torque to the front wheels. The Kona Electric’s EPA-estimated MPGe is 132 city,
108 highway, and 120 combined.
The vehicle utilizes a standard Level-II on-board
charging system capable of a 7.2 kW rate of charge, enabling a full charge in
nine hours and thirty-five minutes. Using the SAE-Combo charging port, a
Level-III quick charge to 80 percent capacity at 100 kW takes 54 minutes.
2020 Hyundai Kona Electric models are built in
Ulsan, Korea, and exported to the United States. The electric crossover is
available in California and other ZEV-focused states in the western and
northeastern regions of the country. Pricing for this updated model hasn’t been
announced yet.
