Hyundai’s stout Kona has since become one of its best-selling models, and it’s easy to see why. As the brand’s entry-level crossover SUV, it fulfils everything you need a car to do, and its price is incredibly competitive. Buy a Kona, and you can readily guarantee that you’ll get a well-built, versatile, practical, and easy-going crossover to chew through motorway miles and commute effortlessly wherever you need to go. It does everything well, so why should you look at anything else while the Kona still dominates the compact crossover market? It turns out that maybe, the Kona’s strongest rival is itself, with Hyundai now offering three distinct powertrains for it.
As Hyundai’s do-it-all crossover, you could spec a Kona with an internal combustion engine, a full self-charging hybrid, or you can also get one like the model we have here, a battery electric vehicle (BEV). However, the Kona going electric presents another issue, the price. Starting in the mid £30,000 price range, and going all the way into the low to mid-£40,000 bracket once you step it up to the higher trim levels, spec more equipment, and if you tack on some optional extras, is the Kona Electric really worth it? In particular, with so many other superb electric vehicles competing in this price spectrum, does Hyundai’s beloved Kona remain a must-buy?
What Is The Hyundai Kona Electric N Line S About?
The Hyundai Kona, especially in its all-electric config, is one of the more quirky-looking cars that I’ve seen as of late, with its blocky sci-fi design. At the same time, Hyundai is making some of the prettiest cars on the market today, and to my eyes, that charm carries through to the Kona, too. While it might have that typical crossover silhouette, I appreciate just how much effort Hyundai has put into making it look unique. Most notably, you’ll probably notice the Kona Electric’s distinct lighting signature. In particular, there are the long, slim lightbars on the front and rear of the Kona Electric, which also function as the daytime running lights.
These help to complement the headlight and taillight clusters that are pushed all the way to the arches, which isn’t something I’ve seen anywhere else. It certainly looks pretty cool when it lights up at night, that’s for sure. The Kona Electric is a pretty sharp-looking crossover, too. From a mile away, you could probably see those hard creases and sharp body lines along the sides of the Kona. I’m a big fan of those 19-inch alloy wheels, which I imagine must help a bit on the aerodynamic front, given that it’s an EV. It looks quite elegant with this dark-ish silver paint and the contrasting black roof, alongside the plethora of other blacked-out accents and trim pieces that are a part of the N Line S trim package.
The eagle-eyed among you might’ve also noticed that panel on the front of the Kona, which frankly, does stick out a bit like a sore thumb. Welp, this is where the charging port is. Depending on which charging station you’re going to, a frontward placement like this may make it easier for the plug to reach, in some cases. Additionally, the Kona’s form factor itself is noteworthy, too. From afar, and even up close, the Kona does look rather small from the outside. However, thanks to really good packaging and optimal use of space, as we’ll get into later, there’s a good bit of room once you step inside.
How Does It Drive?
One thing to bear in mind is that there are two all-electric powertrain options and battery sizes that you can get with the Kona Electric. Although, some trim levels restrict you to only choosing one or the other. Therefore, this doesn’t just affect your range, but also with regard to how much performance it offers. The entry-level Kona EV powertrain is the 48kWh Standard Range model. As its name suggests, there’s a 48.4kWh battery that’s good for a claimed 234 miles of range. In the real world, though, you should probably expect somewhere closer to 200 or so miles. And, with its front-mounted motor, this Standard Range model cranks out around 156PS of power and 255Nm of torque. This will manage a 0 to 62mph sprint in just 8.8 seconds, before topping out at 101mph.
Meanwhile, you could alternatively get the Kona Electric as the top-of-the-range 65kWh Long Range model, like the one we have here. It has a much larger 65.4kWh battery pack that has a claimed maximum range of around 319 miles. With its singular motor on the front axle, it’ll push out a meatier 218PS of power, yet it has a similar 255Nm of torque as the Standard Range model. Granted, all those extra horses do help to achieve a faster 0 to 62mph time of 7.8 seconds, and onto a top speed of 107mph. So, that’s something you need to think about prior to buying a Kona, and it’s up to you to decide if the beefier powertrain is worth the higher asking price.
If you don’t intend on driving too far away or going on long road trips all the time, I’d say the Standard Range model is good enough for most people. Regardless, even with the spicier powertrain option of the two (the Long Range model, like our press car here), the driving experience isn’t anything to write home about. That’s particularly so if you’re concerned about performance or outright speed. Still, there’s more than enough pace in the Kona Electric to move you along pretty well. And, it has no trouble putting all that power down nicely. So, for those times you need extra power, like wanting to overtake on the motorway, the Kona Electric is adequately fast.
Looking past that, though, and if you’re after the most refined and comfortable EV out there, the Kona Electric is a fantastic contender. The suspension, especially, is sprung superbly well, helping to keep the Kona poised. Thus, it’s perfect for coping with our bumpy UK roads. I’ve found that it works incredibly, at least among its class, with soaking up bumps, potholes, and uneven road surfaces without a fuss. For daily driving then, you’re likely going to love the Kona Electric. It feels light, nimble, sufficiently agile, and it’s really easy to handle. In other words, it’s a very easy-going vehicle.
What Is It Like Inside?
The interior of the Kona Electric is typical Hyundai, and there’s nothing really that special here. Nevertheless, I do enjoy the normalness of the cabin, and the lack of odd and quirky designs makes it supremely familiar and easy to use. All the buttons in the Kona are where you’d expect them to be. In addition, while there is a lot of plastic in here, this is the sort of plastic that’ll age very well, without showing excessive wear and tear once you start using your new Hyundai Kona day in, and day out. The fit and finish, as well as the overall build quality, are exceptional and rock solid.
One nice quality-of-life feature that I like in the Kona is the inclusion of an abundance of charging ports to top up electronics while you’re on the go. Plus, in the N Line S trim, you even get a wireless charging pad for your phone, too. Aside from that, at least Hyundai does try to differentiate the sportier and more aggressive N Line S trim by adding some bright stitching and embroidery. All that Alcantara on the seats feels really nice too, almost like you are sitting in a more premium car. Nonetheless, as a whole, it doesn’t look particularly interesting, with Hyundai taking a far greater emphasis on practicality and versatility, instead.
Speaking of, there’s a lot of storage space in the Kona Electric. For example, those large cup holders in the centre console could be folded out of the way, revealing a huge cubby in the middle. Better yet, the Kona Electric’s boot space is reasonably good, with 466 litres of storage in the back. And, like some EVs, if you need extra space to stow additional gear you couldn’t fit in the back, the Kona Electric has a 27-litre frunk. As for room for folks that you’re bringing along with you, rear passengers ought to have sufficient headroom, legroom, and knee room in the Kona Electric, even with the front seats pushed all the way back to fit my taller frame.
As far as gadgets are concerned, our Kona Electric here is very neatly configured. You’ll notice those two, large 12.3-inch screens, one for the infotainment system, and the other for your gauges and driver’s instrumentation. Both of these are super straightforward to use and they’re really intuitive. Likewise, they come with all the stuff that you would ideally want, like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Besides that, if you love listening to music, you could sync up your Amazon Music account directly to the infotainment system. I also have to give credit where it’s due, as Hyundai still maintains a nice balance between chucking your in-car controls behind that infotainment display, but still retaining a good number of hard, physical buttons and switchgear.
These include analogue buttons for your climate control settings, with additional shortcut buttons above them for the infotainment system. Then, there are even more buttons on the multi-function steering wheel, as well as the column-mounted gear selector, to your 4 o’clock. Furthermore, there’s a cool projection-type heads-up display, and the infotainment system, you’ll find a handy EV route planner and charge point finder. As such, when you input an address or destination, the satnav system will try to find and suggest charging stations along the way, just in case you might need to stop and charge up.
The Experience
With two different powertrains and battery capacities to choose from, this would further impact the charging times, too. However, focusing more on the Long Range model, the 65.4kWh battery pack, when plugged into a 100kW DC fast-charger, could charge from 10% to 80% in a bit over 40 or so minutes. Or, if time is too short, a brief 15-minute charge using that same 100kW fast charger could net you a good 100 or so miles of range. This should probably be enough for you if you can’t spare the time. Or, if you’re going to trickle charge the Hyundai Kona Electric overnight at home, using an 11kW wall-mounted charger in your garage, this ought to charge it from 10% to 80% in around 6.5 hours.
Additionally, to help with maximising your range and optimising how you’re using that battery, the Kona Electric comes with a lot of cool EV-specific features. For starters, you get Hyundai’s i-Pedal system, where you can use the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to adjust how much regenerative braking you want. And speaking of, the Kona Electric now comes with Hyundai’s updated regenerative braking tech, which should offer slightly improved recuperation when you’re under braking. It might not be much, but the more you drive your Hyundai Kona Electric, the more you’ll notice those miles add up under regenerative braking.
Also, the Kona has a battery pre-conditioning system, which works by adapting the battery temperature while you’re on the move. This helps to make sure that it’s the best set-up for optimal charging conditions once you reach your destination or arrive at a charging station. It would even use the satnav system to determine how far out you are. Oh, and if you need to charge something else with your Hyundai Kona Electric, select trims like this here N Line S model also gets vehicle-to-load (V2L). This enables you to power or charge any device or electrical equipment, up to 3.6kW.
Hyundai Kona Electric N Line S Cost
The Hyundai Kona Electric could be had with one of four trim levels, starting with the Advance trim level, for a starting price of £34,995. Then, you could move up to the N Line trim, starting at £40,395, and then there’s our car, the N Line S, starting from £43,095. Finally, it tops out at the Ultimate trim, starting from a pricey £43,095. Regardless of which trim you choose though, Hyundai includes a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and an 8-year battery warranty. This does help with tipping the balance when you’re taking stock of its value proposition, and for long-term ownership, it gives some added peace of mind.
Thankfully, you don’t need to upgrade all the way to the top of the food chain to get good standard equipment. Hyundai throws in a lot as standard, even in the entry-level Advance trim. For example, by default, you get basic cruise control, a heat pump for the battery, keyless entry and start, both the 12.3-inch infotainment system and the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, as well as front and rear parking sensors. Moreover, you’ll also get Hyundai’s highway drive assist, lane-keep assist, rear-view monitor, forward collision avoidance assist, intelligent speed limit assist, and more. Some other stuff you get by default includes LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and cloth seating.
Of course, spending more will net you extra goodies. Moving up to the N Line trim package, for instance, gains you privacy glass, a larger set of 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear heated seats, a heated steering wheel, as well as a power-operated tailgate, among others. Meanwhile, stepping it up to the N Line S trim, like the one we have here, not to mention the range-topping Ultimate trim, gets you a heads-up display, a Bose premium sound system, a wireless charging pad for your phone, the addition of side parking sensors, some Alcantara and leather seating, as well as ventilated front seats. Additionally, Hyundai will toss in more safety systems from the factory, such as a blind-spot collision avoidance system, surround-view monitors, and a blind-spot view monitor, just to name a few.
Verdict
So, to answer the original question… Is The Hyundai Kona still a competitive package, given just how many other fabulous EVs you could alternatively get in this highly saturated price bracket? Yes, yes it is. The Kona Electric is one of the most refined, well-thought-out EVs you could get for the money. Sure, there are some things its rivals might do better. Some might offer better performance, while others could deliver a much more posh interior. Its competitors may even give you a better range, and no doubt, there are those that will undercut the Kona Electric’s price. But, to find a car that offers the right balance of all of the above, now that’s a challenge, and one where few could match the Hyundai Kona Electric.
It has a really competitive range, wrapped up inside an attractive-looking car that’s effortless and comfortable to drive. Not only would you enjoy driving the Kona Electric, you’ll likely enjoy owning it, too! Hyundai’s have proven to be rather reliable cars, and backed by an extensive, long warranty, it offers you a lot of peace of mind. And, for the price, while the cabin of the Kona Electric isn’t as theatrical or as luxurious as some other cars that you could get for the money, everything is put together superbly well. It’s rock solid, and I’d reckon this interior would still look fresh after years of hard use. Functional and intuitive, if you’re shopping for a new electric crossover in the £30,000 to £40,000 price range, the Hyundai Kona Electric is a fantastic option.
Specification
Hyundai Kona Electric N Line S Specs
- Price: £43,095
- Engine: Single-motor EV, 65.4kWh battery
- Power: 218PS
- Torque: 255Nm
- 0-62mph: 7.8 seconds
- Top speed: 107mph
- Weight: 1,698kg
- Economy combined: 319 miles (WLTP)
- CO2: 0g/km