Item: Hyundai Kona Electric
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

Fiat 500

Hyundai Kona Electric

Mini Electric

Peugeot e-2008

Peugeot e-208

Vauxhall Mokka-e

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

All 39kWh battery versions of the Hyundai Kona Electric qualify for a grant from the Government&nbsp;and that makes the starting price look competitive against rivals. If you're going for the longer range 64kWh model, something we'd recommend doing, you'll need to go for Premium trim to get the grant. If you go for the range-topping Ultimate, you won't be eligible.

As with all <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2021/n17000">electric cars</a>, though, the Kona Electric costs company car drivers peanuts to run, thanks to its very low benefit-in-kind <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-tax-bands/n1255">(BIK)</a> tax bills.

A full (0-100%) charge at home using a regular 7kW wall box – connected by a Type 2 cable that’s included as standard – takes around nine hours in the 64kWh model, and six hours in the 39kWh. If you’re at a service station and find a 50kW CCS charger, that will take the battery from 10-80% in 64mins (47mins in the 39kWh). The 64kWh models can also benefit from faster 100kW charging, dropping the 10-80% time down to 47 minutes.

The regular Kona achieved a five-star (out of five) rating from the safety experts at <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/euro-ncap-safety-ratings-2019-%E2%80%93-how-safe-is-your-car/n17044">Euro NCAP</a>, but the Kona Electric hasn’t specifically been tested. Still, there's plenty of safety tech on board. Lane-keeping assistance and automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a> are fitted as standard, while Premium trim adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

Every Kona Electric is well-equipped in other respects, too. Entry-level SE Connect gets you 17in alloy wheels, automatic lights, adaptive cruise control, climate control and keyless entry. Premium trim adds the LED headlights we've already mentioned but also rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, privacy glass and power folding door mirrors. As it's the entry point for the 64kWh battery, it's our pick. We wouldn’t bother with Ultimate, largely because you miss out on the government grant.

Hyundai scores well for reliability, coming 6th out of 31 manufacturers in the 2020 What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n20069">Reliability Survey</a>. That’s one place below Mini, but above Honda, Kia, Peugeot and Volkswagen. If things go wrong, there’s a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with the battery itself covered for eight years.

If you go for the Hyundai Kona Electric with a 39kWh battery, you'll get a 134bhp electric motor, which gives it lively performance. We shattered the claimed acceleration time and managed 0-60mph in 7.9sec, faster than an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs-ev/hatchback/review/n20171">MG ZS EV</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/mokka-e/hatchback/review/n22633">Vauxhall Mokka-e</a>.

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Our pick is the 64kWh version, though, which gets you a 201bhp motor and acceleration that's really rather rapid.&nbsp;In fact, on a wet road&nbsp;the front wheels really struggle for traction – you need to be jolly delicate with your right foot to avoid the traction control light winking endlessly as the system tries to manage all the power. The lesser 39kWh model is a little less lairy, although you can still spin the front tyres with surprising ease.

Once you’re on the move, the 64kWh Kona Electric builds speed almost as quickly as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n140">Ford Fiesta ST</a> hot hatch, with 0-60mph in our tests ticked off in around 7.0 seconds. As it's electric, there’s no waiting for the engine revs to rise before maximum thrust is delivered – simply squeeze your right foot and the car sets off with the immediacy of one of Elon Musk’s space rockets.

Indeed, the 64kWh Kona Electric is quicker just as quick as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/e-niro/estate/review/n18388">Kia e-Niro</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id3/hatchback/review/n21832">VW ID.3</a>, so you’d need to step up to a Tesla Model 3 to go faster.&nbsp;When it comes to electric cars, though, performance isn’t just about how quickly you can speed up – it’s also about how far you can travel between charges.

In our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-car-real-range-which-electric-car-can-go-farthest-in-the-real-world/n18159">Real Range tests</a>, the smaller 39kWh battery managed 158 miles. That’s competitive, but the 64kWh version kept going for a mega 259 miles – a few miles further than the Kia e-Niro, which shares the same battery and motor as the Kona. It also puts the 64kWh well ahead of other small electric SUVs such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ds/ds-3/hatchback/review/n20402">DS 3 Crossback E-Tense</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/mx-30/hatchback/review/n22066">Mazda MX-30</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-2008/estate/review/n20552">Peugeot e-2008</a> and Vauxhall Mokka-e.

When you lift off the accelerator pedal, you feel the car slowing down quite quickly thanks to the regenerative braking, a system that allows the car to harvest energy that would otherwise be wasted to replenish the battery. You can increase that braking effect using the paddles on the steering wheel, and you can even make it so strong that it will bring the car to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal. Regardless of how it's set, the brakes are predictable, allowing you to stop more smoothly than most rivals, including the ID.3.

In corners, the Kona Electric leans less than a ZS EV or Leaf. In most other respects, though, it's not great to drive spiritedly. The ID.3 and Kia e-Niro are better handling cars that offer more accurate steering and have more grip to exploit if the mood takes you.

Those rivals are more comfortable, too. Whatever speed you’re doing, the Kona Electric jostles around over smaller road imperfections, something that can become quite annoying after you've been driving for a while.

Naturally, being an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2021/n17000">electric car</a>, the Kona Electric is as peaceful as a cathedral at town speeds. Once you pick up the pace, road and wind noise start to increase, and by the time you’re cruising at 70mph there’s more of both than there is in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e208/hatchback/review/n20228">Peugeot e-208</a> and Vauxhall Mokka-e.

Here’s the dream: an affordable electric vehicle that can go as far on a fully charged battery as a 'regular' car can on a full tank of fuel. Believe it or not, that's not&nbsp;far off – and the Hyundai Kona Electric proves it.&nbsp;

It’s an electric car you can buy&nbsp;right now that claims to be able to travel up to 300 miles between charges, thanks to its large 64kWh battery. That sort of distance used to be the preserve of expensive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla</a>&nbsp;models.

The Kona Electric isn't just concerned with being an automotive Duracell Bunny and lasting forever, though – it’s also pretty zippy. Plus, if you're more concerned about pricing than pace and stamina, there's a cheaper 39kWh battery option with a claimed range of up to 189 miles.

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The Hyundai Kona Electric is also bang on trend with its SUV styling. It’s based (as you might have gathered) on the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n17377">Hyundai Kona</a>, which is the company’s <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUV</a>. Is it better than its competitors, though?

If you’re looking at <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2021/n17000">electric cars</a> in this price bracket, you're probably also considering the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/e-niro/estate/review/n18388">Kia e-Niro</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/soul/hatchback/review/n19232"> Kia Soul EV</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;as well as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs-ev/hatchback/review/n20171">VW&nbsp;ID.3</a>&nbsp;– but rivals in this class also include&nbsp;the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-2008/estate/review/n20552">Peugeot e-208</a>.

Keep on reading through this Hyundai Kona Electric review to find out how far it will&nbsp;go in real-world driving conditions, what it's like to drive and how practical it is, plus how much it will cost to run and how long it will take to charge up.

If you do decide to buy one –&nbsp;or indeed a new vehicle of any make and model –&nbsp;find out how much you could save without any haggling at all by trying the free What Car?<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">&nbsp;New Car Buying</a> service, which has&nbsp;lots of great new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai/kona/hatchback/deals">Hyundai Kona deals</a>.

The Hyundai Kona Electric's interior is quite plainly styled and, more objectively, the quality of materials is acceptable rather than outstanding.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e208/hatchback/review/n20228">Peugeot e-208</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/e-niro/estate/review/n18388">Kia e-Niro</a> both look and feel more expensive inside, as does the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/soul/hatchback/review/n19232">Kia Soul EV</a>. The Kona does have the edge on fit and finish over the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/mokka-e/hatchback/review/n22633">Vauxhall Mokka-e</a>, though, and it would make a world of difference if Hyundai could improve the areas you touch most often. For example, the leather on the steering wheel feels cheap and the metal-effect centre console is very obviously plastic sprayed with silver paint.

Finding a comfortable driving position is easy enough, though, thanks in part to a steering wheel that moves in and out as well as up and down. Even the cheapest of the three trims (SE Connect) provides adjustable lumbar support, and you get 16-way electric seats if you go for range-topping Ultimate trim.

All of the major controls on the Kona Electric are easy to use, and the 10.3in digital instrument display behind the steering wheel is easy to read. Ultimate adds a head-up display, which projects information such as speed onto the windscreen above the steering wheel, where it’s easy to see. Mercifully, there are plenty of buttons and knobs to control things like the stereo and climate control, making it far less distracting to use than the fiddly touch-sensitive controls in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id3/hatchback/review/n21832">VW ID.3</a>.

All trims come with a 10.3in touchscreen infotainment system, which is responsive, easy to use and comes with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone mirroring and sat-nav as standard. Our only complaint is that some of the icons are a little small, but it’s still far better than the Leaf’s rather antiquated system and the overly complicated effort in the ID.3.

Indeed, only the iDrive system in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i3/hatchback/review/n14">BMW i3</a>&nbsp;tops it in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-electric">small electric</a> class, thanks to its easy-to-use rotary controller that's less distracting to operate on the move. A wireless smartphone-charging pad is included with the Kona’s Premium and Ultimate trims, while all trims benefit from an eight-speaker Krell sound system with a subwoofer that sounds pretty punchy.

The Kona’s upright driving position and large windscreen help make it easier to see out of than the Leaf, which has chunkier windscreen pillars that can block your view at junctions and roundabouts. Over-the-shoulder visibility isn't great (blame the Kona's chunky rear pillars), but all versions come with a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors to help mitigate that. Premium trim adds front parking sensors and upgrades the dim halogen headlights to brighter LED units.

Hatchback

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

KONA ELECTRIC

Offers an exceptionally long range between charges&nbsp;but is disappointing to drive

Few people, even those who are well over six feet tall, will complain about the amount of space in the front of the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Rear space isn’t anything to write home about, though – a pair of six-footers will fit, but anyone taller will probably notice their head brushing the ceiling and shins wedged against the backs of the front seats. True, it’s noticeably bigger than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/mokka-e/hatchback/review/n22633">Vauxhall Mokka-e</a> while rear head room is also an issue in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a>, but the Leaf compensates with considerably more rear leg room. If you want an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2021/n17000">electric car</a> that's more accommodating for your rear passengers, take a look at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/e-niro/estate/review/n18388">Kia e-Niro</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id3/hatchback/review/n21832">VW ID.3</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs-ev/hatchback/review/n20171">MG ZS EV</a>.

If you need a big boot, the Kona Electric isn’t the car for you, either. We managed to squeeze just four carry-on suitcases into its shallow load bay, whereas the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-2008/estate/review/n20552">Peugeot e-2008</a> and e-Niro can swallow five, the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152"> Renault Zoe</a> six and the Leaf seven.

You do get 60/40-split folding rear seats for those occasions you need to carry more, which, when folded down, lie almost flat and don’t leave a step in the extended boot floor. There’s no load lip to haul heavy loads over at the boot’s entrance, either. Unfortunately there’s no ski flap to carry long thin items whilst retaining the two outer rear seats.

The 64kWh version of the Hyundai Kona Electric has a fantastic real-world range between charges, plus it’s quick and well-equipped. However, excellent rivals including the Kia e-Niro and Volkswagen ID.3 are better all-rounders thanks to their superior ride comfort and more practical interiors. 

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.

As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;

There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.

Small Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Running costs that won’t break the bank </li> <li>Generous kit</li> <li>Pokey engine and tidy handling</li> <li>Spacious interior</li> <li>Boot big enough to cope with family life</li></ul>

The car-buying public has fallen in love with small SUVs, or crossovers as they’re often called, with thousands turning away from conventional hatchbacks in favour of something that rides that little bit higher.

The original baby SUV is the Nissan Juke, which remains a popular choice, but there are plenty of better rivals to consider instead. We’d recommend you look at either the Ford Puma or Skoda Kamiq, because they offer&nbsp;a great blend of practicality and value that keeps them&nbsp;clear of the opposition. Equally, if you’ve got more money to spend, the Audi Q2 and Volkswagen T-Roc&nbsp;are both fine choices.&nbsp;

Small SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals. These cars qualify for the maximum plug-in car grant (PICG) of £3500.

The Renault Zoe is one of the most affordable options and has a surprisingly long range of between 120 and 180 miles (depending on the weather and the road type). However, the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf are more practical and more accomplished to drive, even if the latter doesn't have a particularly long range between charges.

At the other end of the scale, Tesla’s ground-up EV philosophy – and the American brand’s own network of super-fast chargers – makes the Model S a tempting choice. It has seating for up to seven, an classy interior and a long enough real-world range to make inter-city travel a real possibility.

Introduction

What Car? says...