History/Overview
Introduced last year, the Kona Electric is a battery-powered version of the Hyundai Kona compact crossover that debuted in 2018. The Kona Electric in unchanged from 2019, including its promised 415-km driving range.
Available Trims
Hyundai sells the Kona Electric in Essential, Preferred and Ultimate trims. All share a 64-kWh battery, which powers the front wheels through a single-speed transmission. AWD is not available.
Standard Features
Essential trim comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels, LED daytime running lights, auto on/off headlights,heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, a six-speaker stereo with 7.0-inch touchscreen and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, a leather-trimmed/tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with regenerative braking paddle shifters, a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster display, passive keyless entry, lane keeping assist, and forward collision avoidance assist.
Preferred trim adds pedestrian detection, driver attention warning, blind spot monitoring with lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors, LED taillights, heated front seats, an eight-speaker stereo, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control.
Finally, the Ultimate package brings automatic high beams, front parking sensors, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar, ventilated front seats, a head-up display, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, wireless smartphone charging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with garage door opener, and LED interior lighting.
Fuel Economy
Hyundai's energy consumption estimates for the Kona Electric are 1.8/2.2 Le/100 km (city/highway), or 16.2/19.3 kWh/100 km.
Competition
A few of the Hyundai Kona Electric's key competitors come from the company's Kia sister brand, whose Soul EV and Niro EV both compare in terms of interior space and driving range. The Chevrolet Bolt is also similarly sized but comes up just short in range. The Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf are other well-executed electric compacts.
