2022 Hyundai Kona Electric
While the Hyundai Kona Electric requires a little more initial outlay than its combustion version, it is one of the more affordable EVs on the market right now. This car provides excellent range while also being a zippy small SUV, so let’s take a look at why it might be the perfect car for you!
Overview
Variants:
Kona Electric Elite and Kona Electric Highlander, both of which come with an extended or standard range option
Range:
305km (Elite and Highlander standard range) and 485km (Elite and Highlander extended range)
Charging time and ports:
48 minutes on a 50kW DC charger (Elite and Highlander standard range),1.07 hours on a 50kW DC Charger (Elite and Highlander extended range). Both will take about 9 hours on a 7.25kW AC charger. All variants come with Type 2 charge ports and CSS fast-charge ports.
Battery:
39.2 kWh (Elite and Highlander standard range) and 64 kWh (Elite and Highlander extended range)
Power: 100 kW (Elite and Highlander standard range) and 150 kW (Elite and Highlander extended range)
Efficiency (Vehicle consumption):
129 Wh/km (Elite standard and extended range and Highlander standard range) and 155 Wh/km (Highlander extended range)
Acceleration:
0-100km/h in 9.9s (Elite and Highlander standard range) and 0-100km/h 7.9s (Elite and Highlander extended range)
Top Speed:
155 km/h (Elite standard and extended range and Highlander standard range) and 167 km/h (Highlander extended range)
Torque:
395 Nm
Weight: 2030kg
Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
Dimensions:
L 4205mm, W 1800mm and H 1570mm
Design & look
The Hyundai Kona Electric looks very different from its combustion sibling. The large honeycomb grille from the petrol version is covered with a panel the same colour as the rest of the body, as it doesn’t have an engine to cool. While we’ll eventually get used to this look, it still feels a little odd.
However, other than the grille, you’ll find that the Hyundai Kona Electric looks very similar to the petrol version.
All versions of the car are front-wheel drive (FWD), with the car offering great acceleration to move in and out of highway traffic. However, the Kona Electric does feel a little bumpy thanks to its short wheelbase, so your backseat passengers may not be too impressed. Having said that, it’s really efficient and a comfortable drive for the driver.
Due to its small size, it’s the perfect car for getting around town and finding those smaller car spots. But this works to its disadvantage when it comes to its ability to be a good-sized family car, with a 332-litre boot that doesn’t quite fit a standard pram on its own, let alone with all the other bags and scooters you’ll need for the kids! There is also no spare wheel in the boot.
Features and interior
Inside the car, you’ll find a decent-sized infotainment system, digital dash, leather upholstery, eight-speaker Harmon/Kardon stereo, wireless charging and keyless entry. The Highlander variant also gets heated and cooled front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, head-up display, glass sunroof, ambient lighting and power front seats.
Both cars are also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which don’t always come as standard in EVs.
The Hyundai Kona Electric isn’t incredibly high luxe on the inside, it does feel quite nice. It is built well, and the materials used aren’t bad either.
Drivers will find the seat comfortable; however, as mentioned above, this car puts the ‘small’ into small SUV, so you might find that backseat passengers may have very little leg and foot room.
Oh, and if you wanted to put in a rear-facing baby seat, you might find your front seat passenger won’t actually be able to fit. One positive is that the seats in the back are still comfortable, though there aren’t any air vents back there.
Performance
The Hyundai Kona Electric certainly isn’t a sports car, but it is still a fun, zippy car to drive on the highway with a decent amount of power and efficiency to boot.
The Elite and Highlander standard range models have a 39.2 kWh battery, with the extended range options getting a 64 kWh battery, and while they aren’t the fastest EVs, they can get from 0-100km/h in 9.9 seconds and 7.9 seconds respectively.
One of the best things about this car is its range, and with up to 485km, you will easily be able to drive from Canberra to Sydney. Or maybe you want to hit the snow in Thredbo? You can easily do that too, with more than half the charge remaining, not bad at all!
Charging the car is thankfully pretty easy, with a 50kW fast charger taking the battery from 10-80% charge in just over 45 minutes. If you’re at home, the Kona Electric charges from 10-100% in about six hours – pretty good!
Safety and warranty
The Hyundai Kona Electric comes with an upgraded version of Hyundai SmartSense, which includes features such as Smart Cruise Control to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, Driver Attention Warning to track the time since your last break as well as your steering and brake pedal use, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.
You will receive a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty with the battery covered for eight years. You will also get roadside support for the first 12 months, which can be extended by 12 more with each successive scheduled service.
Speaking of servicing, Hyundai does like the car to come in every 12 months or 15,000kms, with the three-year service plan setting you back $495 and the five-year plan costing $825.
Summary
At around the same price as a Tesla Model 3, is the Hyundai Kona Electric the car for you? Well, one thing that it does outperform the Tesla on is its range, so if that’s important to you, that’s something to consider. However, if comfort and luxury are more your things, you may be more inclined to go with the Tesla Model 3. It’s a great car for getting around town, and it’s fun to drive on the open road, but if you have a family, you may be more inclined to go for a larger car such as the Volvo XC40 Recharge or Kia EV6.
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