Redesign Of 2022 Hyundai Kona And Kona Electric SUVs

Hyundai have recently disclosed the redesign and enhancement of their 2022 Hyundai Kona and the Hyundai Kona Electric SUVs for the U.S. market.

A variety of updates have been given to the 2022 Kona gasoline and Electric SUVs. They are produced in Ulsan, Korea and predicted to arrive in the spring of next year. It has gotten a new outlook including an all-new sporty N Line trim.

Along with an upgraded connectivity and convenience features, a powertrain line-up which provides both sporty and eco-friendly options are also newly enhanced. Other than that, the safety system has also been improved with new active and passive safety features.

Playing a key role in Hyundai’s electrification strategy, with the Kona it is combining electrified powertrains with a stylish sub-compact SUV body configuration. In fact, in the U.S, Kona was the first Hyundai SUV to be made available with a fully-electrified powertrain.

Hyundai Motor North America’s vice president of product planning and mobility strategy Olabisi Boyle said, “For 2022, Kona and Kona Electric have been freshly redesigned with new safety and convenience features that ensure they remain at the top of SUV buyer lists. Whether they desire the eco-focused Electric, Turbo or sporty new N Line version, we’re confident this new Kona will exceed the most demanding compact SUV buyer expectations.”

The 2022 Kona is 1.6-inches longer than the previous model, giving it a proportional, dynamic look to balance its wide body stance.

It gets a striking new front design that stands out with sporty lines and bold protective cladding. It has a stretched hood which drops sharply over the grille with a wide, distinctive shape, giving the Kona a powerful demeanor.

Fitted with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) that give a narrow and piercing look. Below, the bumper outlook connects smoothly to the wheel arch cladding, forming a robust armor-like motif in contrast to the body.

Other upgrades like skid plate elements embrace the lower air intake and visually complement the surfaces surrounding the grille. Also, vertically-oriented aerodynamic inlets that improve air flow are integrated into the bumper corners. 

2022 Kona has a profile that still retains the muscular and sculpted shape of the previous model, but the wedge-shaped silhouette is highlighted by a connection between the shoulder creases and the angular front end.

Rear outlook, it is installed with new taillights that feature horizontally-stretched graphics, reflecting the unique identity of the forward illumination signature. The new rear layout is also constructed with a contrasting material.

Interior wise, the new Kona gets a rugged, yet refined look which matches the exterior boldness. The dashboard is installed with a new console that is disconnected from the instrument panel in order to emphasize the horizontal layout and to provide a spacious atmosphere.

As for the premium trims, an optional electronic parking brake is now available as a convenience feature along with an ambient lighting which illuminates the cup holder and foot wells in which it gets an aluminum-like finish. 

Cargo area in the rear of the 2022 Kona has been increased and second row legroom has also been improved, along with USB-port access for second-row passengers.

Moving onto the 2022 Kona Electric, which has also been freshened with a new, sleeker front layout design. The former indented grille area has been replaced with a new aerodynamic shape with a prominent horizontal character line immediately below the badging and DRLs. 

Installed with new headlamps and DRLs that provide a fresh new illumination signature, and the lower facade opening which boasts clean horizontal strakes. It also gets a functional lower fender sculpted vents that are both sporty and aerodynamic. 

Profile wise, a sporty new alloy wheel design has been optimized for efficient airflow. For the rear outlook, a new bumper design carries the lower ornament strake elements through to the rear of the vehicle, and a new tail lamp design neatly finishes the overall look.

Inside, the 2022 Electric Kona’s center-stack and center-cluster displays gets an all-new installment, with large 10.25-inch screens in each area. The lower center console storage area has also been redesigned with wireless charging capability and efficient use of space.

Hyundai is making the 2022 Kona available for the first time as an N Line version. The Kona N Line standout with its sporty front and rear end, body color cladding, and specific diamond-cut alloy wheel design. 

It has a front view that’s characterized harmoniously connected and unified with the body color treatment of the wheel arch cladding. The N Line version features an N design aerodynamic lip with low corner fins. A large and technical air intake features are highlighted by a unique mesh design and surface treatment.

Overall silhouette, it gets a body-colored cladding and rocker panels which are complemented by a dedicated N Line 18-inch alloy wheel design. The rear incorporates 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, a distinctive red stitching, black headliner, metal pedals, and ‘N’ logos for the seat, steering wheel and gear shift lever.

Performance wise, the 2022 Kona offers a choice of two gasoline powertrains. A 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Atkinson engine which produces 147 hp of power at 6200 rpm and 179 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. Paired with a new Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) for maximum efficiency.

N Line variant, sports a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine and produces 195 hp of power at 5500 rpm and 264 Nm of torque at 1500-4500 rpm. It is paired to a retuned 7-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

As for the Kona Electric its powertrain has a powerful electric propulsion with 415 km of Range. It employs a high-efficiency 150 kW (201 hp) permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor which is supplied by a high-voltage 64 kWh lithium-ion battery.

Its electric motor delivers 395 Nm of torque 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.

The 2022 Kona Electric utilizes a standard Level-II on-board charging system capable of a 7.2 kW rate of charge for rapid recharging characteristics. However, Kona Electric, with a Level-III fast charge rate, can charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 47 minutes using its SAE-Combo charging port. 

Its 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. Furthermore, the charging port is located in the front grille area for head-in parking ease when charging. 

Hyundai’s 2022 Kona has a long wheelbase, short overhangs and wide track which creates a planted stance that results in exceptional agility in urban environments with enhanced linear stability and ride comfort.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) aspects are reduced by new acoustic windshield glass, new instrument panel insulation and additional cargo area insulation. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels are available with 235/45 R18 tyres.

Aforementioned, new to this model is a 10.25-inch digital cluster and 10.25-inch navigation center stack display, bringing with it new connectivity features. The new screen comes with a split-screen function, multiple Bluetooth connections and additional voice-recognition features.

Activation and control features like climate, radio station, rear window and side mirror heating as well as steering wheel heating through Dynamic Voice Recognition. Drivers can even check stocks, weather, or perform POI searches using their voice when connected to Blue Link.

2022 Kona is also equipped with standard Display Audio, with the screen increased from seven to eight inches. It also offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Aside from that, it also offers Digital Key, supported via a dedicated smartphone app, allowing smartphones to control selected vehicle systems remotely.

Safety feature wise, it gets the Hyundai SmartSense system. It consists of Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with stop and go function, Highway Drive Assist (HDA), Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Safe Exit Warning (SEW).

Other 2022 Kona improvements include:

Remote profile management which stores select vehicle settings to the Blue Link cloud, Remote start enhancements, Remote seat heating and ventilation (ventilation Kona EV only). Profile selection which preloads individual driver settings for seating position and side mirrors, Vehicle Status Notifications, POI Send to Car now with Waypoints which is the ability to add up to three-way points that is delivered to the vehicle together and automatically set order of destinations and Maintenance Alert Enhancement.

However, for the Kona Electric, it gets its own specific functions. That is made available with the MYHYUNDAI with Bluelink App set of functions. It allows drivers to manage and monitor the Kona Electric remotely via the Blue Link smartphone app.

The said functions include the following, Start or stop charging, Set-up charging schedule with days of the week and time, Current battery level with real-time electric and fuel range, Real-time fuel range, plug status (in/out), Charge status and status check for Time left until fully charged.

Last but not list, with every purchase of the new 2022 Kona and Kona Electric models in the U.S, drivers will get a warranty package which include the America’s Best Warranty which is a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, 7-year anti-perforation warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile Limited Battery Warranty specifically for the Kona Electric. 

Also included is the complimentary Maintenance that offers 3 years/36,000 miles of normal oil changes and tire rotations.