2021 Hyundai Kona Electric & N Line Review

In a style and technology-led segment, the Hyundai Kona is one of the boldest small SUV you can get your hands on.

It also comes with plenty of choices, with the quirky little model offered in no less than 11 variants, including one of the cheapest electric SUVs in Australia, the Kona EV.

It’s not surprising then that the Kona is one of Hyundai’s best selling models and often found in podium position along with the hugely popular but elderly Mitsubishi ASX.

Refreshed for 2021 with styling, mechanical and technology updates throughout the four-tier range, the Kona is set to continue to cement its spot on the ladder.

Prices are up across the board and span from a pocket-friendly (still) $26,600 for the entry-level Kona, to a not insignificant $64,000 (before on-road costs) for the EV – though the latter is now actually cheaper than before, with Hyundai announcing a $2,000 price reduction recently to coincide with the launch of the ‘Standard Range’ model with a less powerful motor.

Bang right in the middle of the price range is the $36,300 Kona N-Line AWD – a new addition to the line-up and a preview to the full fat Kona N hot SUV. So, there should be a variant that will suit you no matter your price bracket or driving style, including eco-warriors.

In this review, we are testing the sporty turbocharged N-Line AWD auto and green Highlander EV.

What is the Hyundai Kona?

It’s a small SUV with the coveted high driving position that buyers these days are clamouring for and competes with the likes of the Mitsubishi ASX, Kia Seltos, Renault Kaptur, or in the case of the EV, the Tesla Model X.

The Kona is one of the first to be available as a fully electric vehicle in its segment, before the likes of MG ZS and Mazda MX-30 Electric joining the fray.

It’s also offered with a raft of big-car tech which are just as essential these days, including the all important cinematic 10.25-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone mirroring, adaptive cruise control, and even lane-guidance with self-steering.

What’s new outside in 2021?

The Kona has received a comprehensive mid-life facelift and specification upgrades across the model line-up.

Starting with the 2021 Kona Electric, there’s a new-look closed grille that to my eyes, isn’t necessarily an improvement over the superseded model’s fake grille, which actually looked better.

There’s an asymmetric charging port at the front that announces you’re driving an eco-friendly vehicle.

Like the wider Kona range, what’s more appealing to the eyes are the new LED Daytime Running Lights (which doubles as indicators) and sharper headlights with multifaceted reflector technology (EV) that stretch around the side of the car to emphasise its wider stance.

The body colour wheel arch extension also gives the car a more premium and sophisticated look, and continues into the restyled front bumper that incorporates a widened cascading grille and front skid plate.

Around the rear, the EV’s new bumper design features a new upper and lower split lighting design, while the N Line gets a chunkier styling with rear diffuser and twin tailpipes.

Completing the exterior update are fresh machined-faced 17-inch alloy wheels for the Kona Electric, and handsome 18-inch wheels for the Kona N Line.

What’s new inside in 2021?

The new colour touchscreen is undoubtedly the standout upgrade to the Kona’s otherwise unchanged interior. Measuring 10.25-inch, it is one of the largest screens in its class and features a variety of user-selectable themes, split-screen capability, embedded sat-nav, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto.

The Kona Electric also scores a similar size digital instrument cluster that is familiar to drivers of the new Santa Fe, although the N Line continues on with conventional gauges.

Other omissions in the Kona N Line include the heated steering wheel, which comes in exceedingly handy in cold winter mornings, and head-up display.

Being the range-topper, buyers of the Highlander also get goodies such as an eight speakers Harman Kardon Premium Audio system, heated rear outboard seats, and ambient lighting with glowing cup holders and front foot wells.

Wireless smartphone charging is now standard across the range, while a new USB power outlet mounted to the rear of the console takes care of rear passengers’ power needs for their mobile devices.

Also new to the model is remote engine start which allows the driver to remotely start the engine via the smart key fob to pre-cool or pre-heat the cabin.

Elsewhere, the conventional hand brake lever has been replaced with an electronic park brake to free up some space and further de-clutter the cabin.

What about safety?

In addition to the standard six airbags, the Kona’s 5-star ANCAP rating (tested in 2017) has been bolstered by Hyundai’s expanded SmartSense active safety technology.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), or more generally known as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), is now standard on the entire 2021 Kona range.

The Lane Keeping Assist system has been upgraded to include Lane Following Assist (LFA), which gently steers the vehicle back into its lane and is operational at speeds of up to 200km/h.

Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist also makes its debut on the Kona, along with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning and Rear Occupant Alert.

What is it like to live with?

Despite its compact size, head, shoulder, knee and toe room are all at comfortable levels front and rear. The heated leather seats are comfortable and there are plenty of stowage areas dotted throughout the cabin, including on the rear doors and backseat map pockets.

There are four cup holders (two up front and two in the rear), two USB ports and two 12 volt outlets.

The transmission tunnel isn’t overly intrusive, meaning you can carry five adults if required without too much complaint.

Further aback, cargo capacity is rated at 374 litres although the batteries in the Kona Electric reduce this to 332 litres. The rear seats fold flat and expand the load carrying volume to 1,156 and 1,114 litres, respectively.

There’s also a fake floor with compartments sandwiched between the space-saver spare tyre and the boot floor to hide valuables safely, while the cargo net keeps loose items from rolling around.

What’s not so user friendly is the annoyingly glitchy wireless Apple CarPlay which drops out rather frequently. This is similar to what I experienced in Hyundai’s sister brand Kia, which shares the same software.

The rear doors also don’t open wide enough either, making entry and exit to the back seats slightly difficult for those with little children.

What’s it like to drive?

The Kona N Line introduces an all-new 146kW/265Nm SmartStream 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine teamed with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.

While it has decent punch, with good get up and go and is relatively responsive, it’s no match for the pin-to-the-seat feel of the Kona Electric’s 150kW electric motor with its 395Nm of torque that is available almost immediately.

However, the N Line does distribute its power to the road better, thanks to its all-wheel drive system, as opposed to the EV which can easily overpower the front driven Michelin Primacy4 tyres if you are not gentle with the go pedal.

Like other electric cars, all you hear is a low frequency whirr from the electric motor plus some minor road and wind noise from the wing mirrors.

What I like about the Kona EV is its automatic regenerative braking which adjusts the level of regenerative braking automatically depending on your driving style. Should it defect a vehicle in front and anticipate you’re going to hit the brakes hard, the system dials up the regenerative braking to bring the car to a stop quicker while conserving electricity. Smart!

Both vehicles err a little on the firm side but are still comfortable around town, with the EV getting the edge thanks to its quieter ride and cushier suspension.

Out on the open roads, the N Line’s sportier suspension tune makes it a relatively enjoyable drive on country roads. It feels agile and its steering doesn’t feel too heavy.

And while the EV isn’t meant to be sporty, its low centre of gravity (thanks to its low mounted batteries) provides it with less vertical movement around corners compared to the N Line.

How much fuel or electrons do they consume?

Hyundai claims the N Line’s turbo engine is capable of returning 6.9L/100km in combined fuel consumption. Our real world test with 80 per cent urban commute saw 8.9L/100km on the trip computer.

Meanwhile, the Kona EV’s 64kWh lithium-ion battery saw an improvement is real world driving range, up from 400km in the pre-facelifted model to around 450km on test (against a claimed 484km), which is more than enough for daily driving. In fact, you don’t even have to charge the Kona EV daily.

Its energy consumption range from approximately 14.1kWh/100km (with heavy use of the adjustable regenerative braking) to 15.5kWh/100km and takes approximately 9 hours to charge when fully depleted.

Verdict

Design & Comfort

8.5/10

Performance & Handling

8.0/10

Quality

8.5/10

Economy

8.0/10

Equipment & Features

8.5/10

OUR SCORE

4.2/5

Our Score: 4.2/5

+ Plus

  • Update looks more sophisticated and up market
  • Better driver assist technology
  • EV gets 7.8 per cent improvement in range
  • N Line is fun

Minus

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay is glitchy and drops out frequently
  • No head-up display on regular N Line
  • EV has no spare wheel, tyre pair kit only

Overall

The two models we tested can’t be more different in their personality.

The Kona Electric is all about efficiency and does so without compromising drivability and packaging. Its 450km range also means range anxiety is significantly reduced and more than sufficient to only plug it in perhaps once a week if your daily commute is no more than 30km like the average Australian.

On the other hand, The Kona N Line brings out the sportier side of the Kona, highlighting the versatility of the car’s platform. The turbocharged petrol engine combined with the all-wheel drive system and sportier chassis deliver impressive handling and driver enjoyment, while retaining the practicality synonymous with SUVs.

The Kona’s podium spot is all but assured.

2021 Hyundai Kona Pricing and Specification

Price (Excl. on-road costs):Kona N Line from: $36,300

Kona N Line as tested: $36,895

Tested option: Surfy Blue Metallic Paint – $595

Kona Electric from $54,500

Kona Electric Highlander as tested: $64,000

Tested option: Surfy Blue Metallic Paint – $595

Warranty:5 years/Unlimited kilometers
Battery Warranty:8 years/160,000 kilometers
Warranty Customer Assistance:1 year Roadside
Country of Origin:South Korea
Service Intervals:12 months/15,000km
Kona EV Electric Motor:Permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, 356V lithium-ion polymer battery:

150kW, 395Nm

Kona N Line Engine:1.6-litre turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder petrol:

146kW@6,000rpm, 265Nm@1,600-4,500rpm

Transmission:EV: Single-speed reduction gear / N Line: 7-speed dual-clutch
Drivetrain:EV: Front-wheel drive / N Line: All-wheel drive
Power to Weight Ratio (kW/t):EV: 86.1 / N Line: 99.1
0-100km/h (s):EV: 7.6 / N Line: N/A
Combined Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):Claimed: 13.1 / Tested: 15.5
Combined Fuel Consumption (L/100km):Claimed: 6.9 / Tested: 8.9
RON Rating:91
Fuel Capacity (L):50
Body:5-door SUV, 5 seats
Safety:
  • 5-Star ANCAP
  • 6 Airbags
  • SmartSense advanced driver assist incorporating:
    • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
    • Driver Attention Warning
    • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
    • Lane Following Assist
    • Lane Keeping Assist
    • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
    • Rear Occupant Alert
    • Safe Exit Warning
    • Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
    • Electronic Stability Control
    • ABS
    • Brake Assist System
    • Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
    • Hill-start Assist Control
    • Traction Control System
    • Vehicle Stability Management
  • Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
  • Front parking sensors (Kona EV)
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Rear view camera
  • LED headlights with DRL (Kona EV)
  • High Beam Assist
  • ISOFIX
  • Temporary spare (Kona N Line)
  • Tyre mobility kit (Kona EV)
Dimensions (L/W/H/W-B) mm:4205/1800/1570/2600
Boot Space (L) (min/max):EV: 332/1114 / N Line: 361/1156
Turning Circle Between Kerbs:10.6
Tare Mass (kg):EV: 1,743 / N Line: 1474
Ground Clearance:EV: 158 / N Line: 178
Towing Capacity (kg):N Line: Braked: 1250/Unbraked: 600
Entertainment:
  • 10.25-inch high resolution colour touch display
  • Harmon Kardon 8-speakers (Kona EV)
  • 6-speakers (Kona N Line)
  • Satellite navigation
  • DAB+
  • Bluetooth
  • 2x USB
  • Wireless smartphone charger
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

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