2023 Hyundai Kona EV specifications confirmed: Why electric hatch will be all the range in Australia

The details of the Hyundai Kona Electric have been confirmed for Australia, with the all-electric SUV to deliver more than 480kms in driving range when it arrives Down Under towards the end of 2023.

The Kona Electric range has expanded in this new-generation model, with the EV to be initially offered in two trim levels, with an N Line version to in 2024.

"The Kona is going to have an N Line version, and we'll start with the electric," says Hyundai USA boss, Jose Muñoz. "We're going to have different versions, and we've started from the beginning with the EV."

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Also new are the brace of battery sizes, with 48.6kWh and 64.8Kh available, with the latter expected to deliver a WLTP driving range in excess of 480kms on the WLTP cycle. Battery sizes in the outgoing model were 39.2kWh and 64.0kWh.

The new Kona Electric is also bigger in every way than the model it replaces, with the new version 145mm longer, 25mm wider and 20mm taller, all while riding on a wheelbase that’s been increased by 60mm.

Those gains are all about producing more space for passengers and their stuff, with rear leg room boosted by 77mm, and cargo space increased by 33 litres (with the rear seats in place), and a more signifiant 144 litres when the back seats are folded flat.

The cabin tech has been upgraded too, with every model equipped with dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, thoroughly modernising the cabin experience and addressing one of the more old-school-feeling features of the outgoing model.

Also new are the brace of battery sizes, with 48.6kWh and 64.8Kh available.

The Kona EV will initially arrive in Australia in two trim levels, with Standard Range and Extended Range models to launch. An N Line version will touch down soon after, while a full-blown N model remains unconfirmed across the entire Kona and Kona Electric range.

The Standard Range delivers 99kW and 255Nm, and should travel around 380kms on a single charge. The Extended Range version ups the power to 150kW and 255Nm, and should travel in excess of 480kms on a charge.

We don’t know the full equipment list for Australia yet, but LED headlights and taillights, the dual screen system and dual-zone climate control will arrive as standard, as will the ability to download over the air updates. New safety equipment includes an in-car camera monitoring the driver’s attention level and a centre airbag.

Hyundai is yet to confirm Australian pricing details, but we would expect the Kona Electric to start higher than the model it replaces, which started at $57,438 for the Elite, and $60,938 for the Highlander.