The Hyundai Kona Electric has returned for a second generation and this one couldn’t be more different from the original.
Compared to the first-generation model, the new one stands out with its ultra-modern Robocop-style ‘Seamless Horizon” one-piece lightbar that stretches across the car’s front and back. It’s one of the most daring SUV’s in its class.
That’s not a bad things as the EV landscape today is much more competitive compared to when its predecessor was launched.
So, is the standout design enough to see off the 2024 Kona Electric competitors like the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV?
How much does the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric cost?
There are five variants to choose from with prices starting from $54,000 for the Kona EV Standard Range and stretches all the way to $71,000 for the Kona Electric Premium N Line Extended Range.
The Standard Range is equipped with a 48.6kWh battery while the Extended Range carries a larger 64.8kWh battery.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric pricing (excluding on-road costs):
- Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range: $54,000
- Hyundai Kona Electric Extended Range: $58,000
- Hyundai Kona Electric Premium Extended Range: $68,000
- Hyundai Kona Electric N Line Extended Range: $62,000
- Hyundai Kona Electric Premium N Line Extended Range: $71,000
There are two no cost standard paint and four premium paint colours costing an extra $595 to choose from.
Standard Paint:
- Atlas White Solid
- Mirage Green Solid
Premium Paint:
- Abyss Black Mica
- Denim Blue Mica
- Ecotronic Grey Mica
- Ultimate Red Mica
What features and equipment do the 2024 Kona Electric have?
Standard equipment includes:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- LED daytime running lights
- Rain-sensing window wipers
- Premium cloth upholstery
- 3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Over-the-air software update capability
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Built-in satellite navigation
- 6-speaker sound system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wireless phone charger
- Dual-zone climate control
- Remote start
- Luggage net
- Heat pump
- Battery conditioning system
- Interior V2L port
Kona Electric Premium and N-Line add:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Acoustic laminated windscreen
- Solar control front door glass
- Privacy rear glass
- Sunroof
- Quad projector LED headlights
- ‘Seamless Horizon’ front parking light
- LED indicators
- Handsfree powered tailgate
- Head-up display
- Ambient interior lighting
- Heated steering wheel
- Leather-appointed upholstery
- 10-way power driver’s seat with memory
- 8-way power front passenger seat
- Premium relaxation front seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- 8-speaker Bose premium sound system
All variants also get Bluelink connected car service with five years complimentary subscription which brings:
- Automatic collision notification
- Emergency call function
- Connected routing – server based navigation
- Valet Mode function – restricted information control
- Voice control – server based and natural voice recognition, including vehicle controls, information, command and control
- Calendar integration (Google, iCloud) and vehicle diagnostics
- Weather forecast information
What’s on the inside?
The 2024 Kona’s interior is positively more modern compared to the superseded model. The entire range now share the same interior design, with each variant differentiated by trims and materials.
It’s also more spacious compared to the previous-generation model.
Taking centre stage is the now ubiquitous one-piece curved widescreen instrument cluster and infotainment screens.
We are delighted that Hyundai is sticking with physical buttons and dials for the climate controls and drive mode instead of burying everything in layers of digital touchscreens. They are much more intuitive to use, too.
There is also a row of short cut buttons for the infotainment screen proper knobs for the audio controls to improve usability.
What Hyundai hasn’t fixed is the abundance of cheap, hard plastics on the door cards and lower parts of the dashboard. It’s especially glaring on the top shelve variants which are pushing $70k.
Look past these minor niggles and you’ll find a spacious and airy cabin for all. The front seats are comfortable with a good range of adjustability in the driver’s seat and steering wheel.
There is also plenty of storage with a large tray between the front seats that comes with two retractable cup holders, bottle holders on the doors and a storage/charging tray for your smartphone. Those wishing to charge their phones faster will find a pair of USB-C slots above the charging pad.
Rear seat accommodation is equally good with plenty of head- and kneeroom plus a set of wide opening rear doors that makes entry and exit super easy.
The Kona EV offers 407L of boot space which is larger than the Volvo EX30 (318L) as well as the upcoming Volkswagen ID3 (385L). The impressively flat boot floor is expandable to a handy 1,241L when the rear seats are folded.
On top of that, there is an additional 27L of front storage space underneath the bonnet.
What’s underneath the Kona Electric’s bonnet?
All variants get a single, front-mounted electric motor. It produces 99kW/255Nm in the entry-level variant and 150kW/255Nm in the Extended Range variants.
Standard Range Kona’s carries a 48.6kWh battery that delivers a claimed 370km of driving range, while Extended Range models come with a 64.8kWh battery that extends the range to 505km. However, the range falls back to 444km in the Premium and N-Line variants despite sharing the same battery with the Extended Range thanks to bigger 19-inch wheels.
Charging time typically takes around 5 hours and 15 min when connected to an AC charger (via the Type 2 charging port) for the Standard Range, and 6 hours and 35 min for the Extended Range.
This drops to approximately 45 min when connected to a DC fast charger via an optional CCS cable.
How does the Kona Electric drive?
If you are hoping for a sub 5 second 0-100km/h sprint, then you are best to look elsewhere as the Kona EV takes a leisurely 9.9 and 8.1 seconds, respectively for the Standard and Extended range.
It might look like glazier pace compared to some other EVs but at no point during our time with the Kona EV did we wish it had more oomph.
We are impressed by the car’s ride comfort, practicality and handling. While the Kona EV hasn’t undergone Australian suspension tuning like some of the brand’s other products, it feels quite well adapted to local conditions.
Ride quality around town is good although at times it can feel a little on the firmer side, especially over corrugated road surfaces. Its brakes feel natural and the one pedal driving mode works well.
We also like the use of steering wheel paddles to adjust the level of regen to suit one’s driving style easily.
Throw it around some corners and the Kona EV feels composed and confident, complemented by a direct and communicative steering that tells you where the nose is pointed. It’s not the last word in fun as it is progressive rather than outright quick.
On the freeway, it’s quiet, refine and comfortable with an impressively quiet cabin that keeps road noise at bay.
Most of the car’s active driver assist system works well. It’s adaptive cruise control maintains the set speed and gap to the car in front well and the lane guidance isn’t overly intrusive.
The driver monitoring system though needs more refinement as it’s prone to be overzealous even when you’re looking at the road.
How safe is the Hyundai Kona Electric?
The 2024 Hyundai Kona range receives a four-star ANCAP safety rating when it was tested in 2023.
It scored highly in adult and child occupant protection – 80 and 84 per cent, respectively – but below par in the active safety assist and vulnerable road user protection categories at 62 and 64 per cent, respectively.
To achieve a five-star rating, ANCAP requires a car to score above 80 per cent in adult and child occupant protection, and above 70 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and safety assist.
The Kona comes standard with the following safety equipment:
- 7 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with
- Pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle detection
- Junction assist
- Evasive steering assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Safe exist warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver attention warning
- Intelligent speed limit assist
- Lane keep assist
- Lane following assist
- Rear occupant alert
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
Premium and N-Line add:
- Rear AEB
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Surround view camera
- Side parking sensors
- Remote smart parking assist
Ownership
The Kona Electric comes with Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while its high-voltage battery pack is covered by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty.
Unlike its internal combustion engine counterparts, the Kona Electric only requires a services every 24 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first.
Servicing costs $520 for the first three visits.
Verdict
Design & Comfort
Performance & Handling
Quality
Economy
Equipment & Features
OUR SCORE
4.1/5
+ Plus
- More modern and spacious interior
- Good ride comfort and handling
- Prices remains unchanged for new model
– Minus
- Controversial styling
- EV has no spare wheel, tyre pair kit only
Overall
The Kona Electric builds on the foundation laid down by the previous generation model. It’s now more modern and larger which means better practicality compared to its rivals.
It handles well and is comfortable around town.
We would go for the Kona Extended Range for its blend of pricing, range and equipment.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Pricing and Specification
Price (Excl. on-road costs): | Kona EV Standard Range from: $54,000 Kona EV Extended Range from $58,000 Kona EV Premium Extended Range: $68,000 Kona EV N Line Extended Range: $62,000 Kona EV Premium N Line Extended Range: $71,000 |
Warranty: | 5 years/Unlimited kilometers |
Battery Warranty: | 8 years/160,000 kilometers |
Warranty Customer Assistance: | 2 year Roadside |
Country of Origin: | South Korea (Made in Czech Republic) |
Service Intervals: | 24 months/30,000km |
Kona EV Electric Motor: | Permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, front mounted Standard Range: 99kW, 255Nm Extended Range: 150kW, 255Nm |
High Voltage Battery: | Lithium-ion Standard Range: 48.6kWh, 128kW, 269V Extended Range: 64.8kWh, 182kW, 358V |
Transmission: | Single-speed reduction gear |
Drivetrain: | Front-wheel drive |
Power to Weight Ratio (kW/t): | 83.6 |
0-100km/h (s): | Standard Range: 9.9 Extended Range: 8.1 |
Combined Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 99kW motor: Claimed: 14.8 / Tested: 16.7 150kW motor: Claimed: 14.7 (17″ wheel), 16.7 (19″ wheel) |
All Electric Range: | 99kW motor: 370km 150kW motor: 505km (17″ wheel), 444km (19″ wheel) |
Dimensions (L/W/H/W-B) mm: | 4385/1825/1580/2660 |
Boot Space (L) (min/max): | 407/1241 |
Turning Circle Between Kerbs: | 10.6 |
Kerb Weight (kg): | 99kW motor: 1615 150kW motor: 1698 |
Ground Clearance: | 151 |
Towing Capacity (kg): | Braked: 750/Unbraked: 300 |
Entertainment: |
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