Pros and Cons of Owning a Hyundai Kona EV: Is It Worth It?

After the arrival of the new Hyundai Kona, we have had to wait sometime for the electric versions of this sensational SUV to make an appearance, which draws attention with its exterior image, its technology, new size, its greater breadth...

As was the case with the first generation, the Hyundai Kona will be available with combustion engines and 48-volt light hybrid technology, as well as an electric hybrid variant and two 100% electric alternatives that we have now had the opportunity to drive on German roads. And although the unit that we had with us was 'sold' to us as a development prototype, the truth is that you could not put a but on it. And although they also warned that it would be camouflaged, the truth is that it was really subtle and barely covered some protections from the outside, so you could see its final image.

The Hyundai Kona EV will arrive with a sporty N-Line version

The image is somewhat different from the rest of the mechanical versions of this new Hyundai Kona, among which there will not be a plug-in hybrid alternative like the one offered by its 'soul mate', the well-known Kia Niro. They also warned that in the not-too-distant future, these electric Hyundai Kona will even offer a variant with the sporty N Line finish.

Differentiating these Hyundai Kona is really simple. In Spain, it will suffice to look at its '0 emissions' label, although before we will have noticed its front and rear light groups with LED Pixel technology, which inherit their style from the well-known IONIQ. Another particular detail of this electric version is a fairing front and where the cover for the charging port continues to be. For the rest, the rest is practically traced to the rest of its brothers, highlighting some Full LED optical groups placed directly in the corners of the vehicle and being somewhat exposed to possible friction.

Bigger and more spacious than its predecessor

Where there is also no news is in its new dimensions, because the Hyundai Kona has grown significantly in this second installment. Proof of this is that it measures 4.35 meters long, which is practically the same as the first generation of the Tucson measured in its day. They are also 15 centimeters more than before, in the same way, that its battle has also gained 60 millimeters to reach 2,660 millimeters in this new Hyundai Kona.

Thanks to the latter, valuable centimeters have been gained inside this spacious SUV. But it was not something that the Hyundai Kona was crying out for either, because the previous one already offered a spacious cabin. But it is true that it has also made it possible to gain a trunk, which reaches 466 liters, compared to the 332 of its predecessor. As if that were not enough, they have also equipped it with rear seatbacks that can be folded down in parts 40:20:40, which provides functionality. In the same way that this electric version is the only one that adds a second trunk under the front hood, very useful for storing charging cables, for example.

Two electric versions of this Hyundai Kona will arrive

Getting comfortable inside this new Hyundai Kona only takes a couple of minutes and you immediately get used to the driving position, the location of its controls... A very intuitive 12.3-inch central screen and the brilliant solution of keeping physical buttons for the most common functions also help.

We get started with this electric Hyundai Kona, which is also its access version, which implies a lithium-ion battery with 48.4 kWh capacity, which allows it to offer an average range approved in the WLTP cycle of 377 kilometers (its predecessor was content with a 39.2 kWh battery and 305 kilometers of range). When we get on we see that it indicates that with 89% of its battery, it has to travel 312 kilometers. A simple rule of three clears us of doubts with a real autonomy of 350 kilometers. A figure very close to that approved by the Korean company.

The access version promises 377 kilometers of autonomy

We start in Normal mode but keep in mind that this electric Hyundai Kona has a central selector from which we can also choose the ECO, Sport, and Snow programs. It also features paddles behind the steering wheel that allow you to vary the retention power in five programs ranging from '0', in which it retains absolutely nothing, to the i-Pedal, with which you can drive your electric Hyundai Kona with the accelerator pedal.

This 'small' battery version also implies a more restrained front electric motor, because it delivers 114.6 kW of power, which amounts to about 156 CV. It also gives us a torque of 255 Nm, which is the same as the most powerful version with 160 kW (218 hp). However, they are 140 Nm than those offered by its predecessor, which is not a bad thing. Quite the contrary, because this new electric Hyundai Kona is much more pleasant to drive and, above all, it does not give that feeling of an impossible dragster to steer when we accelerate with energy. Even more so if we did it with the wheels turned, because the ability to lose traction was surprising.

This Hyundai Kona EV still keeps secrets

With that 156 hp of power and 255 Nm of torque, this electric Hyundai Kona moves like a fish in water. It will be on rare occasions that we demand greater potential because the truth is that the benefits it transmits to us are extraordinary. And it is that these data, the Korean company still keeps them under lock and key. Although everything indicates that it will be faster than its predecessor, which was content with a 100 kW (136 hp) engine. As is usual in electric cars, power delivery is immediate. And that makes the feeling that it runs much more. Although, in the famous German Autobahn we reached its maximum speed (161 km/h) with great ease and saw a top of 170 km/h on its speedometer, surrounded by a very quiet atmosphere and offering high driving comfort.

But the position of the batteries also makes it a truly dynamic vehicle, aided by an extraordinary chassis, precise steering with 2.6 turns between stops, and by suspensions that prioritize comfort above all else, which is appreciated in electric vehicles that are generally somewhat dry and uncomfortable. To accentuate that feeling of comfort, some 'logical' size tires are also appreciated, such as their 215/60 R17, rubbers that also help to stretch the autonomy in this electric Hyundai Kona that invites you to drive for your general liking.

It will offer a really tight energy expenditure

So much so that the 33 kilometers we were able to cover with him didn't mean little. Although, after a stretch of the highway of practically half of those distances, curved roads, and urban areas, our protagonist showed in his instrument panel a consumption of 14.7 kWh/100 km. This is more than surprising for not having resorted to ECO mode at any time and for having circulated with the climate control activated at 23 degrees. In those 33 kilometers, its battery went from 89 to 80% of its capacity, which we can actually translate into a range of 367 kilometers.

This test unit of the electric Hyundai Kona had traveled 3,830 kilometers and since its origins, they had not reset the consumption computer, which indicated an average consumption of 16.6 kWh/100 km, which is not bad for having driven through Germany, on many occasions at high speed.

Its batteries can be charged at 102.3 kW of power

But at high speed, their batteries can also be charged, because thanks to their 400-volt architecture, these electric Hyundai Kona support up to 102.3 kW in direct current. This means that in 15 minutes it accumulates energy to travel 162 kilometers, just as it can go from 10 to 80% in 41 minutes. In alternating current, it charges a maximum of 11 kW, in addition to having the V2L function to be used as a large external battery to power electrical equipment.

At the moment these electric Hyundai Kona have not yet arrived in Spain, so their prices have not been disclosed. However, do not rule out that they are close to those offered by the aforementioned Kia Niro EV, which exclusively arrives in Spain with the largest capacity battery and 65.4 kWh, also available in this Hyundai Kona (this other one has a starting price of 42,350 euros without aid), thanks to which it signs a range of 454 kilometers if equipped with 19-inch wheels and 235/45 R19 tires. Precisely of this, they had an exhibition unit, with a 72% battery announced a range of 292 kilometers. And that can be translated into about 405 kilometers. But it is also true that they calculate autonomy based on the previous driving style.

It remains to know the range of the Hyundai Kona EV that will arrive here

It is a higher autonomy than that of this access version that we have driven, but not much higher either. And that detail makes this electric Hyundai Kona a really interesting version. Above all because its benefits are very good and because it will also have a more adjusted price than the 'long range' variant. And although as we have said, this is not yet known, we can tell you that in its predecessor there was a difference of 5,000 euros between a Standard Range and a Long Range. An amount that if it is maintained, will make many think twice.

Just as we will have to wait to find out their prices, we will have to do the same to find out the finishes with which this electric Hyundai Kona will arrive in Spain. However, depending on the version chosen, this '0 emissions' SUV will boast standard equipment, where there will be full LED lighting, two-zone climate control, a double 12.3-inch screen, a 'hands-free' tailgate, wireless charger, Head-Up display, blind spot sensors with display on the frame, upholstered with synthetic materials, or a wide range of driving assistance systems that provide us with safety in our day to day.