The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric has gone on sale in Australia armed with fresh styling, new technology, a revised model range with better value for money and – for the first time – a new 39.2kWh battery pack that has lowered the price of entry to $54,500 plus on-road costs. The formerly-sole-option 64kWh battery is now called the Kona Extended Range, and is up to $2,000 less expensive than before. The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric range is on sale now.
“The new Kona Electric Standard Range gives customers zero-emissions electric motoring in an attractive, sporty and practical small SUV, and at more accessible price.” Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said.
“It is Hyundai’s intention to establish leadership for eco cars in Australia. We already have the most diverse range of electrified vehicles including Kona Electric, NEXO our hydrogen-powered SUV and the soon to launch game changing IONIQ 5.”
The key upgrades to the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric involve the car’s styling, which has followed the same sleek and more modern path as its petrol-powered twin. A 64kWh battery pack mated to a 150kW electric motor continues as before with minor improvements that have increased the range to 484km on the WLTP cycle. It’s priced from $60,500, which is $1,500 less than before.
New to the range is a smaller 39.2kWh battery pack that’s mated to a 100kW electric motor, which is priced from $54,500 plus on-road costs. It offers a WLTP range of 305km – 179km less than the 64kWh Kona Electric, but still 42km more than the 44.5kWh MG ZS EV, 35km more than the 40kWh Nissan Leaf and 105km more than the 35.5kWh Mazda MX-30 Electric.
Standard equipment on the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Elite (Standard Range: $54,500, Extended Range: $60,500) includes 17-inch alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, single-zone climate control, leather upholstery in black or black/grey ($295 extra), a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, a wireless phone charger, a Harman Kardon sound system, keyless entry and start, auto-folding and heated mirrors, rear privacy glass and roof rails.
Safety kit includes six airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with braking, lane keep assist with lane follow assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, driver attention monitoring, rear occupant alert, safe exit assist, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.
The Kona Electric Highlander (Standard Range: $58,000, Extended Range: $64,000) adds all-LED lighting with auto high beam, a heads-up display, a sunroof, ventilated and heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, power front and rear seats, an auto-dimming rear mirror and ambient lighting. A no-cost black roof is available with some colours – though this deletes the sunroof.
Available colour options include ‘Galactic Grey’, ‘Phantom Black’, ‘Surfy Blue’, ‘Dive in Jeju’, ‘Pulse Red’ and ‘Atlas White’ – only the latter colour doesn’t attract an extra $595. Interior options include black leather or black and grey leather – the latter costing an extra $295.
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric pricing (plus on-road costs):
- Standard Range Elite: $54,500
- Standard Range Highlander: $58,000
- Extended Range Elite: $60,500
- Extended Range Highlander: $64,000
Options:
- Premium paint: $595
- Black/grey leather upholstery: $295
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In a country the size of Australia reducing the driving range of an Electric Vecicle by down sizeing the battery does not make sence to me a driving range of at least 400 Km as the 64Kw can do , is what is required in the distances that most people would do when travelling outside of the city etc.