2023 Hyundai Kona Electric Review, Pricing, and Specs

We’d suggest the SEL trim, which now contains options from the Convenience bundle as commonplace tools together with a sunroof, a wi-fi smartphone-charging pad, and heated entrance seats. Also commonplace are heated entrance seats with an eight-way energy operate and lumbar help for the driving force seat, a rear USB port, and auto up-and-down home windows for the entrance doorways. All three trim ranges are outfitted with the identical battery pack and the identical permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

A 201-hp electrical motor drives the entrance wheels (all-wheel drive is not provided) and is powered by a 64.0-kWh battery pack. At our check observe, the Kona Electric hauled itself from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, 0.2 second faster than the common Kona. As with the common Kona, the electrical model presents sprightly driving dynamics, which makes it enjoyable to scamper alongside a twisty two-lane. It would not provide sports-car-level thrills, however for a subcompact SUV it is partaking to drive. It additionally cruises easily at freeway speeds and feels substantial and planted due to the heavy battery mounted within the ground and its ensuing low heart of gravity.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

Aggressive regenerative braking permits for one-pedal driving and helps lengthen the driving vary to a claimed 258 miles—one mile lower than the Bolt EV. Pulling the paddles behind the steering wheel permits the driving force to regulate the extent of regen; we favor essentially the most aggressive setting. The Kona Electric could be charged on a 110-volt family outlet, however we would not suggest that on a day-to-day foundation; a 240-volt outlet is finest for dwelling charging, and the Kona Electric may also be charged at a DC fast-charging station.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Kona Electric has earned a mixed ranking of 120 MPGe from the EPA. In our real-world freeway fuel-economy testing, although, we recorded simply 86 MPGe and 160 miles of driving vary. However, this check was carried out on a 2019 mannequin in December in our dwelling state of Michigan, the place temperatures can continuously register under freezing within the winter. Low temps have a tendency to tug the vary of many EVs down considerably. For instance, we additionally examined a Bolt EV in equally frigid climate and it delivered 140 miles of driving vary—far under its EPA-rated variety of 238 miles. For extra details about the Kona Electric’s gasoline economic system, go to the EPA’s web site.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Kona Electric’s cabin is far the identical because the one discovered inside its gas-powered counterpart: It’s comprised of high quality supplies, is comfy, and wealthy with options. The rear seat and cargo space are tight, even by subcompact-crossover requirements, however for the reason that Kona was designed from the outset to accommodate a battery pack, there isn’t any much less room contained in the Electric than the usual mannequin. The cargo space is equivalent to the common Kona, too; we match 5 carry-on suitcases inside with the rear seats in place and a complete of 15 with the seats folded.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All fashions include a touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, in addition to a ten.3-inch reconfigurable digital gauge show; base SE fashions include an 8.0-inch touchscreen, whereas upgrading to the SEL or Limited provides a ten.3-inch show with navigation. A six-speaker audio system is commonplace on base SE and SEL fashions, whereas the Limited mannequin comes with an eight-speaker Infinity audio system that sounds a lot richer.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking are commonplace throughout the vary, however adaptive cruise management is simply provided on the top-spec Limited mannequin. For details about the Kona Electric’s crash-test outcomes, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:

• Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping help
• Available adaptive cruise management and pedestrian detection

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai’s guarantee protection is famous at this level, and the Kona EV advantages farther from a three-year/36,000-mile complimentary scheduled upkeep plan. Like different EVs, the Kona Electric has no oil, oil filter, or spark plugs to alter, so the complimentary scheduled upkeep contains tire rotation, cabin air-filter modifications, and a wide range of completely different system inspections. Rival EVs such because the Bolt EV or the Model 3 cannot contact the usual guarantee that backs the Kona Electric. The Kia Niro EV presents comparable guarantee protection however no complimentary scheduled upkeep.

• Limited guarantee covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain guarantee covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Battery guarantee covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary upkeep is roofed for 3 years or 36,000 miles