Hyundai Kona Electric Review 2024

Hyundai Kona Electric At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Hyundai Kona Electric offers an appealing blend of a good range, decent performance and driving fun in a compact SUV package.

+Two models available: 39KWh with a range of 180 miles and a 64KWh version with a 279-mile range. High spec and good value for money.

-Some rivals are more spacious.

Insurance Groups are between 22–27

The Hyundai Kona Electric added another string to the bow of the Korean firm’s small SUV range and provided EV buyers with a fine choice. It might not be the roomiest SUV, but it looks good and is very well made. The Hyundai Kona Electric also drives well and the larger battery model has a usefully long range compared to the likes of the Renault Zoe, stylish but flawed Honda e or popular Vauxhall Corsa Electric. Read on for our full Hyundai Kona Electric review.

It’s surprising how swapping a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor can transform a car. While the standard Hyundai Kona is a below-par rival to the SEAT Arona and big-selling Nissan Juke, the Hyundai Kona Electric is one of the most desirable electric cars on the market. 

There are two models available. It’s the pricier 64kWh model that grabs the headlines with its impressive 279-mile range, but the more affordable 39kWh version can cover 180 miles – enough for most drivers.

Batteries located under the floor mean there’s a reasonable amount of room inside – although, as per the standard car, the rear seats are a bit short of legroom, leaving adults sitting awkwardly with their knees above their waist.

The cabin looks pleasingly modern compared to the standard car, with buttons on the centre console to select forward or backwards. Search for hard plastics and you’ll find them, but it’s not as offensive as a relatively affordable electric car could be.

The highlight of the Hyundai Kona Electric is how it drives around town. The 64kWh model in particular is surprisingly quick off the line, accelerating forwards with little noise except the scrabble of the tyres as they struggle to find grip. Even those used to the instant torque of electric cars might be surprised by just how eager the 64kWh Hyundai Kona Electric is to accelerate.

It’s a heavy car and it can’t hide that entirely in bends, but a low centre of gravity means it remains relatively composed.

By offering Tesla-rivalling electric range in a desirable package for an affordable price, Hyundai’s Kona Electric has plenty of appeal. It has its flaws – a small boot, for example – but it’s still a massively attractive electric car.

Fancy a second opinion? Read heycar's Hyundai Kona review.

Ask Honest John

Can I fit seat belt extensions to my car?

"My Hyundai Kona Electric is very difficult to fit the seatbelt into the clip on the driver's side. Would there be any problem if I bought a seat belt extender?"
Seatbelt extenders are legal to use but only if the user simply cannot use the existing seatbelt due to body size. Most vehicle manufacturers advise you should only use a seatbelt extender sourced or approved by the car company itself.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Can I fit run-flat tyres to my Hyundai Kona Electric?

"I bought a Hyundai Kona electric earlier this year. It comes with a 'repair kit', which I don't want - I've had problems in the past. They would not fit run-flat tyres even though I was happy to pay for the, When I spoke to KwikFit about replacing the existing tyres they didn't think it was a good idea and talked about extra weight from the batteries. I have seen run-flats in the appropriate size, but what would you advise?"
We can't speak for your particular vehicle, but it is often the case that cars with run-flat tyres need a specific design of wheel to accommodate them safely. We've not heard of anyone trying to fit run-flats to the Kona Electric, so this might be a bit of a dead-end. Perhaps contact some other tyre fitters to get their professions view? Also, you may be able to purchase a spare tyre to fit in the boot.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Should we buy a PHEV, mild hybrid or pure electric vehicle?

"Nine years and 111,000 miles ago I bought a Mazda 5 on your advice which has served me well but is getting tired. My wife has a 13 year old Nissan Micra which has done 60,000 miles. Along with solar panels we have installed an EV charging point and now want to reduce to one vehicle. Eighty per cent of our daily mileage is less than 20 for each vehicle. There is a weekly 100-mile round trip in the Mazda and longer 200-300 mile trips with overnight stays every two months. The Micra does 50-mile round trips weekly. What is the best type of EV for our usage (PHEV, mild hybrid etc.) and which models deserve a closer look? Our budget is £30,000-£35,000. I am six foot so headroom and driving position is important. We want a comfortable five-door car with higher access and a decent sized but not enormous boot, somewhere in size overall between the Mazda and the Micra. "
We'd recommend a pure-electric vehicle for your needs. The new MG 4 could be a good option - it's an electric hatch with a higher-than-normal seating position and a range of between 218 and 281 miles depending on which model you choose. With prices starting from £25,995, it's well within budget and represents remarkable value for money. Also consider the MG ZS EV or an alternative like the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Can you recommend a car to keep for eight years?

"We are looking to change our 11 year old Honda Insight. We are likely to keep the next car eight to 10 years, and realise we are in a time of rapidly changing technology. We are looking at a 2020 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV, because a lot of our journeys are under 30 miles, and also a 21 plate Toyota Yaris Cross. Any comments on these two? The other option is to spend a little bit of money on the Honda (spark plugs, front tyres down to 2.4 mm, which we would change) and try to get through a chunk of 2022 to see how things look later...."
Why not make the switch to a pure-electric vehicle? It sounds like one could suit your needs well, if you can charge a car at home and mainly cover short journeys. The infrastructure is rapidly improving, too, if you do need to travel further afield. A Hyundai Kona Electric could be a good option. If you'd prefer a hybrid, a Toyota Yaris Cross sounds like a good car for you. It's a much newer model than the Ioniq PHEV (and feels it!) and is very efficient without the need to plug it in.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Hyundai Kona Electric cost?