The current generation Hyundai Kona has been with us since the 2018 model year, which means that the brand's popular subcompact SUV is definitely ripe for a major update. While we've seen prototypes of the 2024 Hyundai Kona already undergoing testing since February of this year, this will be the first time that we're seeing its electric version.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona EV prototype that we see here has been spotted by our spy photographer just outside Hyundai Motor Group's technical center in Germany, wherein it's taking a stroll together with an internal combustion engine prototype. The Kona EV prototype we see here is still heavily camouflaged, but it's easy to spot a few key details that are a hint that this is the electric version of the Kona.

Oh Look, Isn't That A Charge Port?

Why yes, yes it is. Despite being heavily camouflaged, the charge port at its front fascia is still easy to spot--a clear sign that this is the Kona EV. After all, even though prototypes need heavy camouflage to hide their design, these cars still need access to charging, right?

The upcoming Kona Electric has been given the codename SX2 EV, and since the Kona EV is mechanically related to the Kia Niro, we're confident that it will share the same EV powertrain as its Kia sibling.

For reference, the 2022 Kia Niro EV comes with a 64.8 kWh battery, a negligible increment from 64 kWh from the previous generation model. However, thanks to its more efficient (albeit less powerful) electric motors, the Niro EV's range has been increased to 285 miles--an increase of 55 miles compared to the outgoing model.

A Baby Tucson In The Making

Despite that heavy camouflage, there's no denying the fact that the 2024 Hyundai Kona EV will inherit many design cues from the bigger Tucson. After all, the Tucson's striking design is already a good canvas to start with.

Based on our earlier spy shots with the internal combustion engine version, the 2024 Hyundai Kona EV should inherit the same set of digital screens. It will also approximately have the same size as the one found in the Ioniq 5. Other design details include air vents under the screen just like in the Ioniq 5, which means that future Hyundai models will inherit some design traits from its Ioniq range of EVs.

When Will The 2024 Kona Be Unveiled?

We're going to have to wait quite a while before we see the next-generation Hyundai Kona and its EV sibling as they are expected to make their debut sometime in 2023. If you're too impatient to wait, there are the Kia Niro and Niro EV out in the market already, and they're expected to arrive in US showrooms in fall 2022.