The 2021 Kona Electric compact SUV will land in March, Hyundai Australia has confirmed.
Part of a multi-drivetrain “new-model offensive” aimed that will see a fresh new look for the popular SUV, the new electric car precedes the Ioniq 5 which is slated to arrive later in 2021.
Echoing the sporty new N Line variant look that will arrive first, the new Kona Electric is 40mm longer than its 2019 predecessor, has a new smooth nose without the honeycomb “grille”, new signature stacked headlights, as well as a slew of new features adding comfort, convenience and smart safety technologies.
“New 2021 Kona builds on the qualities that have drawn small-SUV buyers to the model, with an eye-catching new look, new N Line sports variants, and additional standard comfort, convenience, technology and SmartSenseTM safety features,” said Hyundai Australia CEO Jun Heo in a statement.
In a new announcement for the 2021 Kona, Hyundai says it will have a suite of advanced “SmartSense” technologies, effectively a broad range of driver-assist features including forward-collision assist, smart cruise control,driver attention warning, and rear occupant door alert.
Lane-keeping assist will include two modes: lane departure warning or line/road edge sensing. Lane following assists with keeping the 2021 Kona Electric in the centre of the lane (something the previous model struggled with).
Upper-range models will also come with high beam assist, safe exit warning, blind-spot collision assist and rear cross-traffic assist.
Specifications for the 2021 Kona Electric with 64kWh battery include a 484km driving range, a 150kW motor and 395Nm torque, with more details expected closer to the 2021 Kona EV launch.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.