Hyundai Motor Co. hasn’t done much to change its popular Kona subcompact crossover since its U.S. introduction in 2018. It hasn’t had to. But for 2022, the Kona gets a substantial facelift as well as the N-Line treatment to keep buyers interested.
The makeover comes as combined U.S. sales of the Kona and its battery-electric counterpart, the Kona EV that was introduced in 2019, crested the 200,000 mark, according to Hyundai. Sales like that are a pretty good indication that Hyundai has so far done a good job with the subcompact.
The Kona, in fact, topped several small crossover hot lists. The Kona EV not only shares those honors but has been named best EV many automotive critics, including landing on the Forbes Wheels’ Best EVs for 2021.
But sometimes autos need a bit of nip and tuck lest their visages grow too familiar and shoppers start looking for something fresh.
The Hyundai Kona’s no different, despite its many plaudits.
The 2022 Kona’s guts remain the same, but it gets a fairly extensive exterior re-do—including a new face, along with a new dash and instrument cluster—in hopes of maintaining its appeal for another year. The performance-oriented N-Line trim is aimed at those who didn’t find sufficient thrill in the previous Kona turbo’s 175 horsepower output.
Performance Boost
After introducing its “N” performance sub-brand last year, Hyundai is launching the N-Line performance version of the Kona for 2022. It gets a retuned, 195-horsepower version of the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that was standard in the top trims in previous years.
The N-Line also gets sporty bits such as small horizontal air intakes in the fascia above the grille, a N-Line grille badge and aerodynamic wind deflectors at the lower front corners. Wheel arch cladding and bumper covers are body-colored except for the integrated rear air diffuser in matte black. The wheel design also is exclusive to the trim.
The sporty N-Line also gets its own interior package featuring all-black upholstery with contrasting red stitching, a black headliner and aluminum gas and brake pedals
The turbocharged engine—also standard in the top-of-the-line Limited Trim—delivers 11% more power compared with the outgoing model. It’s mated to an upgraded version of Hyundai’s seven speed, dual-clutch automatic for what the automaker promises will be quicker, smother shifts.
Hyundai said the suspension for all Kona trims has been tweaked to deliver a more comfortable ride, and that the N-Line steering is tuned specifically for a sportier feel.
Trims and Availability
In addition to the new N-Line, the gas-only 2022 Kona comes in three trims that carry over from prior years: SE, SEL and Limited. Hyundai dropped its SEL-Plus, Premium and limited production Night trims in an attempt to streamline its offerings.
The 2022 Kona EV retains this year’s tri-level packaging strategy with SEL, Limited and Ultimate trims.
The gasoline versions will hit dealer showrooms mid-April and the EV is due in May. Pricing won’t be announced until shortly before the on-sale dates.
Facelifts All-Around
The rest of the gasoline Kona lineup also gets a new fascia with a wider two-piece grille and slimmer LED daytime running lights surmounted by a longer hood. The alloy wheels are redesigned, a matte-black bumper fascia blends into the black cladding over the front wheel arches and the lower air intake is bracketed by a skid-plate-looking accent—all changes resulting in a sportier look.
The Kona EV gets the more dramatic remake, with a smooth, Tesla-esque nose. Gone is the dimpled grille pattern stamped into a plastic frontispiece. The front bumper fascia is body colored, as are the wheel arches. Daytime running lights and headlines also are redesigned for a high-tech look. The rear features redesigned taillights and a sleek new rear bumper fascia. The new styling gives the Kona EV an almost shark-like look.
Inside, both the dash and center stack sport a more modern look, and the N-Line, gas Limited trim and all EV models get a 10.25-inch dual-screen driver information display that uses a new generation of Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics. Lower trims now get a larger 8-inch touchscreen, an increase from 7 inches. A 10.25-inch touchscreen is standard on the Limited trim and available on others. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Hyundai also added more sound-proofing insulation in the cargo area and behind the dash, and the windshield now has acoustic glass.
Safety
Hyundai’s Safety Sense advanced driver-assistance safety technology package remains standard. It includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane keeping and lane following assist, a driver attention monitor and rear-seat occupant alert.
There are two valuable upgrades for all but the base SE trim level: the addition of automated emergency braking for the rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot warning systems. The top Limited trim gets automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and highway drive assist, which is a combination of lane centering and adaptive cruise control.
Still the Same–Almost
The base gasoline powerplant is a 147-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which remains unchanged for the 2022 Kona. But it will be mated with a new continuously variable automatic transmission Hyundai calls the Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission.
Like all CVTs, it constantly adjusts the gearing to keep the engine running at its most efficient level. Conventional automatic and manual transmissions use multiple, distinct gear ranges that require engine performance to build to peak efficiency before dropping off again and shifting to the next gear.
Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional in all gasoline trims of the 2022 Kona.
EPA fuel economy ratings for the gas models (or trims or versions) haven’t been published and Hyundai hasn’t released any internal estimates. The new CVT should help efficiency for the base 147-horsepower engine improve from this year’s rating of 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 30 mpg overall for front-wheel drive models, 26/29/27 for AWD, while the greater punch of the 195 horsepower engine could result in a slight decrease from the current turbocharged powerplant’s 28 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined rating for front-drive and 25/30/27 with AWD.
EV Charging Gets Faster
The Kona EV’s power drive system also carries over to the 2022 model year. It’s a 201-horsepower electric motor that delivers power to the front wheels; a 64-kilowatt-hour battery pack holds sufficient juice for an EPA-estimated 258 miles of range.
The standard on-board charger operates at a maximum speed of 7.2 kW, meaning it can add power to the battery at a rate of up to 7.2 kW per hour. At that rate, a fully depleted battery—something few EV drivers experience—would take almost 9 hours to replenish.
For road trips, the Kona EV can be charged using the growing network of DC fast-charging stations. It is rated for a maximum of 100 kW, but battery safety systems effectively limit maximum high-speed charging to 75 kW under most conditions. That’s sufficient to bring a depleted battery from 10% to 80% capacity in just under 50 minutes.
The Ups and Downs
Hyundai’s aim with the refreshed 2022 Kona is to keep its subcompact hatchback relevant in an increasingly competitive segment. To that end, the updated exterior and interior refinements make a great start, especially the addition of an additional 0.6-inch of rear legroom to a seating area that has been, by any standards, pretty cramped.
On the downside, the Kona revamp doesn’t add hauling capacity, so, unlike competitors such as the Honda HR-C, Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-3, the 2022 Kona isn’t rated for towing even a light utility trailer.
Its cargo capacity sends a mixed message. With the rear seats up, there’s a mid-segment 19.2 cubic-feet of space, enough for about 10 airline carry-ons. But with the rear seats folded flat, the Kona’s 45.8 cubic feet of total cargo space trails the HR-C and Crosstrek as well as the Jeep Renegade, Buick Encore, Ford EcoSport and Chevrolet Trax.
The Kona EV has accounted for almost half of all Kona sales lately and its updated look should keep it highly competitive for the 2022 model year. It could fall behind as new EV crossovers like the Volkswagen ID.4 enter the market offer quicker DC fast-charging speeds. While not important for those who do most of their driving locally and their charging at home, DC fast charging plays a big role in facilitating longer-distance driving and is one piece of the puzzle that needs to be solved before EVs can be adopted by the masses.
On weekend getaways and longer vacation trips, driving for four hours and then waiting at the charger another hour to recapture just three hours’ worth of range may not hold up well when a rivals’ fast-charge capability can cut the wait to 30-minutes or less.
