Hyundai believes it will be the best-selling model in the series

Hyundai has high expectations for the second-generation Kona Electric, which it officially launched a few days ago.

Hyundai Europe CEO Michael Cole said he expects the new Kona Electric to account for 60 percent of sales for the entire 2024 Kona model range, which also includes combustion engine and full hybrid versions.

By comparison, current Kona Electric made up about 40 percent of the model line’s sales in 2022, according to data from Dataforce. It took the 9th place in the list of best-selling electric cars, and Hyundai, building on this, sets a high bar for the second generation model.

In this context and with this rationale, the automotive industry has given stakeholders what they have been asking for: more interior space. Still, they accepted the request for a large tailgate.

At the same time, Hyundai was able to make the crossover more aerodynamic to increase the range.

The new Hyundai Kona Electric will continue to offer two configurations. The standard version comes with a 48.4-kilowatt-hour battery powered by a 114.6-kilowatt (154 hp) electric motor. The manufacturer’s estimated range for this model is 212 miles (342 km) in the WLTP test cycle.

There is also a long-range variant with a 65.4 kWh battery powered by a 160 kW (214 hp) engine. This model promises a WLTP range of 304 miles (490 km). As before, both versions offered are front-wheel drive.

All versions of the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric will be built at the company’s plant in Nosovice, Czech Republic.