HYUNDAI has given its Kona Electric, one of the longer-legged EVs on the market, a set of updates.
The car is now built by Hyundai at its factory in the Czech Republic - allowing it to significantly reduce customer waiting times for this popular electric car compared to the earlier versions which came from South Korea.
The front end of the car now incorporates a noticeably closed-off grille, which is framed by new LED daytime running lights. There's a new functional air intake in the lower bumper.
The charging port remains on the car's nose, making it easy to access.
The plastic wheelarch trim pieces have also been swapped for a cleaner, body-colour painted look instead, which is also said to be more wind-cheating.
At the back of the car is a redesigned bumper with new stretched lights.
Overall, the new Kona Electric is now 25 millimetres longer than the car it replaces, while five new exterior colours have been added to the car's list of paint schemes, bringing the total to 10.
Inside, there's a 10.25-inch digital cluster in front of the driver, while a 10.25-inch infotainment screen is carried over from the previous Kona Electric.
It's here where you'll be able to access satellite navigation and media functions, while both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard.
A new Bluelink upgrade allows owners to control certain aspects of the car with their phone. They can check, for instance, the car's battery levels as well as charging times to fully replenish the batteries.
The Kona Electric retains the previous generation car's battery options, with a long-range 64kWh version using a 201bhp motor to give a range of 300 miles, and a smaller 39.2kWh variant using a 134bhp motor and delivering 189 miles from a single charge.
Hyundai has also upgraded the Kona Electric's safety features, bringing rear-cross traffic collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and leading vehicle departure alert.
A new safe exit warning has also been fitted, which will sound a warning if passengers try to leave the vehicle when it isn't safe to do so.
The Kona Electric is priced from £30,150, once the government's £3,000 plug-in car grant is factored in.
Meanwhile, the Kona Electric has been given a maximum five-star 'Green NCap' rating for its energy efficiency and emissions.
Only two of the 24 cars rated in 2020 got top marks. The other was the Renault Zoe.
