Hyundai Kona Electric review

You won’t be blown away by interior quality; the Kona Electric isn’t as classy inside as the Volkswagen e-Golf or Kia e-Niro, although it has the edge over the Nissan Leaf. Everything feels sturdily screwed together and most of its buttons and knobs operate slickly. It’s just a shame the leather on the steering wheel feels a bit plasticky.

Finding a comfortable driving position is easy, thanks in part to a steering wheel that moves in and out as well as up and down. Of the two trim choices (Premium and Premium SE), even the cheaper of the two provides drivers with adjustable lumbar support; 16-way electric adjustment comes with the latter trim. 

Both trims get a 10.3in touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included as standard. USB and Aux input plus a wireless smartphone charging pad are also included, as is a 7.0in digital instrument display. Premium SE adds a head-up display, which projects information such as speed above the steering wheel to sit in your line of sight.

The Kona Electric is far easier to see out of than the Nissan Leaf; the Leaf’s chunky and windscreen pillars can really block your view at junctions and roundabouts. Over-the-shoulder visibility could be better (blame the chunky rear pillars, but all versions come with a rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors to help mitigate this.