Hyundai Kona Electric is an affordable SUV-styled car that boasts a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge, driven by a 64kWh battery. Moreover, it offers a less expensive model with a 39kWh battery pack with an official range of up to 189 miles.
Performance
39kWh battery
As mentioned, the cheaper model has a 39kWh battery and a 134bhp electric motor. What Car’s real-world test for the Hyundai Kona in this battery configuration exceeded the claimed acceleration time, recording 0-60mph in just 7.9 seconds.
Meanwhile, it demonstrated its capability to go 158 miles between charges based on the range test conducted by the British motoring magazine.
64kWh version
The 64kWh variant of the Hyundai Kona Electric offers a 201bhp motor. It boasts an acceleration time of 0-60mph in around 7.0 seconds, per What Car’s tests.
As for its range, it was able to record 259 miles on a single charge.
It also has regenerative braking, which enables the EV to slow down relatively fast. The braking effect can also be through the paddles on its steering wheel. Apart from that, the feature can also completely stop the car without using the brake pedal.
Furthermore, it apparently has a top speed of 70mph, which may produce noticeable road and wind noises.
Interior
The steering wheel of the Hyundai Kona Electric adjusts in, out, up, and down, giving a more comfortable driving position.
Moreover, the major controls in the car are simple to use. It has a 10.3 inches digital display behind the steering wheel.
There are also many buttons and knobs to navigate the stereo and climate control, which are easier to use than touch-sensitive controls.
All trims of the Hyundai Kona come standard with a 10.3 inches touchscreen infotainment system, which offers the following features, among others:
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring
- sat-nav
- eight-speaker Krell sound system
- rear-view camera
- rear parking sensors
However, the higher-end trims come with a wireless smartphone-charging pad, front parking sensors, and upgraded LED units.
Unfortunately, the Hyundai Kona Electric has a small frontal space, which 6-foot-tall people may find uncomfortable. However, the rear space is slightly better.
As for its boot space, it can only handle four carry-on suitcases in its load bay. It offers 60/40 folding rear seats to expand the space whenever necessary.
Exterior
The Hyundai Kona Electric has a muscular, sculpted shape. It is equipped with LED lights and the distinctive details of an SUV.
The following colors are available for the Hyundai Kona Electric:
- Phantom Black
- Polar White
- Titan grey with phantom black roof
- Fiery red with phantom black roof
- Polar white with phantom black roof
Below are its exterior dimensions:
| SE | SEL | Limited | |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 102.4 | 102.4 | 102.4 |
| Length (in.) | 165.6 | 165.6 | 165.6 |
| Width (in.) | 70.9 | 70.9 | 70.9 |
| Height (in.) | 61.2 | 61.2 | 61.2 |
| Minimum ground clearance (in.) | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.2 |
Charging
The 64kWh variant may be fully charged at home using a conventional 7kW wall box plugged by a Type 2 cable in roughly 9 hours. Meanwhile, the 39kWh can fully charge in only six hours.
On the other hand, a 50kW CCS charger at a charging station will charge the battery from 10 to 80% in 64 minutes (47mins in the 39kWh).
The charging time from 0 to 80 percent for 64kWh models has reduced to 47 minutes thanks to faster 100kW charging.
Pricing
Below are the starting MSRP prices of the 2023 Kona Electric as per Hyundai:
| SE | SEL | Limited | |
| Price | $33,550 | $37,300 | $41,550 |
Specs
| SE | SEL | Limited | |
| All-Electric Range (AER) | All-Electric Range (AER) | All-Electric Range (AER) | All-Electric Range (AER) |
| MPGe City/Hwy/Combined | 258 | 258 | 258 |
| Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Power output | 150 kW (201 hp) | 150 kW (201 hp) | 150 kW (201 hp) |
| Torque | 291 lb.-ft. | 291 lb.-ft. | 291 lb.-ft. |
| Battery Type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Voltage | 356V | 356V | 356V |
| Battery system capacity | 64.0 kWh | 64.0 kWh | 64.0 kWh |
| Level II, Standard (7.2kW onboard charger) (10-100%) | 9 hrs 15 min | 9 hrs 15 min | 9 hrs 15 min |
| Level III, Quick Charge – 50kW (10-80% Charge) | 64 min | 64 min | 64 min |
| Level III, Quick Charge – 100kW (10-80% Charge) | 47 min | 47 min | 47 min |
