Discover the innovative features of the Hyundai Kona Electric in our comprehensive review. Explore its design, performance, technology and practicality to understand why it’s a top choice for UK EV buyers.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona EV has been gaining attention for its modern design, practical features, and impressive performance. It stands out for its great urban driving experience and has a good range that competes well with other electric vehicles in its class. Let’s delve into what makes the Hyundai Kona Electric a standout choice for EV owners in the UK, exploring its features, benefits, and how it fits into the wider EV ecosystem.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is available in four trim levels: Advance, N Line, N Line S, and Ultimate. Each level offers a range of features, with the entry-level Advance providing essentials like a dual 12.3-inch display, a reversing camera, and 17-inch wheels. The higher trims include additional luxuries like a sunroof, Bose sound system and enhanced driver assistance systems.
Driving Dynamics and Performance
The Hyundai Kona Electric is known for its quick and agile performance, especially noticeable in the 64kWh model. It accelerates quickly and smoothly, making it an enjoyable car to drive around town.
The Kona Electric offers two powertrain options, a 48kWh battery with a 154bhp motor and a 65kWh battery with a 215bhp motor. The smaller battery version is more budget-friendly and offers a range of 234 miles, while the larger battery version provides up to 305 miles of range.
Both variants are equipped with a heat pump to maintain efficiency in colder conditions and have fast-charging capabilities, allowing for a 10%-80% charge in approximately 43 minutes. The Long Range version offers more power and the ride remains quiet and refined even at higher speeds, contributing to a relaxed driving experience.
The Hyundai Kona Electric offers impressive performance across its variants. The entry-level version, with 154bhp, achieves 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds, while the more powerful 215bhp 65kWh model does 7.8 seconds. Both models are limited to a top speed of 104mph, ensuring a balance of speed and efficiency.
Interior Design and Practicality
The interior of the Kona Electric is modern and spacious and is larger than its predecessor and this growth in size translates into a more roomy cabin. It has twin 12.3-inch displays that are intuitive to use, supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The interior offers plenty of storage options and practical features, like wireless charging pads, although some areas of the cabin have hard plastics, the overall quality is appropriate for its class.
It features various storage compartments, including cubbies, bins, and cupholders, along with a large central storage area between the front seats. The notable increase in boot space expands from 466 litres to an impressive 1300 litres by folding down the seats. The flat floor offers increased foot space for rear-seat passengers, especially when accommodating three people.
Range and Charging
The Hyundai Kona Electric offers a respectable real-world range of 240 miles, with energy consumption varying between 182 – 385 Wh/mi depending on conditions. The car supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) but not Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) or Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).
Models and Pricing
The Standard Range model is available in the UK in an entry-level Advance trim, featuring a suite of standard technology. The Long Range model is available in N Line and N Line S trims, offering additional styling elements and features.
The top-tier Ultimate trim is priced from £43,095. The starting price for the Hyundai Kona Electric is around £38,595, making it a more affordable option in the electric vehicles market. It features a sleek design, a high-tech cockpit, and impressive driving dynamics. The Premium and Ultimate have full LED headlights too.
The Heart of the Kona Electric
To make EVs more accessible, subscription services offer a new model for car ownership. These services allow users to enjoy the benefits of driving an EV like the Hyundai Kona Electric through a monthly subscription, which can include insurance, maintenance, and charging costs.
The Hyundai Kona Electric represents a significant step forward in the EV market. It offers a practical, stylish, and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel-powered vehicles. As the UK continues to embrace electric vehicles, models like the Hyundai Kona Electric are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future on the roads.
Information and details provided by Hyundai UK, Arnold Clark, Smiths Motor Group and WhatCar and images courtesy of EVClicks.
