Hyundai Kona Electric (2018 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a fully-electric version of the Kona small SUV/crossover, and is also closely related to the Kia e-Niro. It arrived in the UK in late 2018.
The Kona Electric has received high praise from the UK motoring media and, as of September 2021, it holds a strong Expert Rating of 79%. This is in stark contrast to the regular petrol Kona model range, which is rated at just 59% and sits in the bottom half of the small SUV market.
According to Hyundai’s official figures, the Kona Electric with a 64kWh battery (the larger of the two battery choices) is capable of covering 279 miles on a single charge. Based on independent research conducted by What Car?, this is likely to translate to a real-world driving figure of about 250 miles.
The Hyundai Kona Electric has been praised for its driving range, which is more than comfortable enough for most car buyers, as well as its overall practicality. Critics rate the similar Kia e-Niro more highly, although it’s also more expensive than the Hyundai.
Kona Electric highlights
- Impressive battery range
- Practical with lots of sensible tech
- Value for money package
- Fun performance
- Eligible for the plug-in car grant
Kona Electric lowlights
- Rivals are more spacious
- Interior trim looks cheap
- Slightly rigid ride quality
- Alternatives have more boots space
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossoverPowertrain: battery electric vehiclePrice: From £27,950* on-road
*price includes £2,500 government plug-in car grant
Launched: Winter 2018/19Last updated: Spring 2021
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Kona Electric (2021 onwards)
Kona Electric (2018 – 2020)
Kona Electric (2021 onwards)
Kona Electric (2018 – 2020)
Kona Electric (2021 onwards)
Kona Electric (2018 – 2020)
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
“As an affordable electric car, the Hyundai Kona Electric is the best yet and is highly commendable.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“Big on range and performance, practical and stylish – the Hyundai Kona Electric is a fantastic EV.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“The popular Hyundai Kona Electric SUV has been updated for 2020 and it’s now better than ever”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Hyundai Kona Electric’s chunky design makes it one of the more distinctive-looking offerings in the small SUV segment, but it is the choice of two versions, both with a decent driving range, that makes it a winner in our eyes.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Hyundai’s affordable electric crossover has the numbers to shake this market segment to the core”
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Model reviewed: Premium SE 64 kWhScore: 8 / 10“Ground-breaking, high-spec electric car offers 300 miles of range for less than £32,000”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“It might be based upon a middling family car in ICE form, but as an EV, the Hyundai Kona Electric really is an astounding effort. As a state-of-the-art EV that’ll go harder, and faster than all of its rivals, this is the one to go for – some achievement considering it’s far from the newest option available.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“We take our hats off to Hyundai for making an EV that has an impressive real-world range, but at a reasonable price. It’s one of the most usable electric cars on the market, and while it’s not without fault, it could be the driving force that people need to get into something electric.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.6 / 10“The Hyundai Kona is a car transformed by the switch to electric power, making it a great choice for affordable family motoring.”
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Carwow
Score: 8 / 10“The Hyundai Kona Electric offers punchy performance, a raised driving position and lots of equipment, but there are more spacious EV alternatives.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Premium SE 64 kWhScore: 8 / 10“A genuine step forward for EVs thanks to a battery that removes range concerns for a greater size of the driving population, in a car that’s ‘normal’ in every other way.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Premium SE 64 kWhScore: 10 / 10“The Hyundai Kona Electric is the first car to address all the normal objections to electric cars for the average motorist. It has a 279-mile electric range, zero tailpipe emissions, it’s excellent to drive, it’s well equipped, it has a practical body style, and it’s relatively affordable.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 10 / 10“By offering Tesla-rivalling electric range in a desirable crossover package for an affordable price, Hyundai has already proven it’s onto a winner with the Kona Electric. It has its flaws – a small boot, for example – but it’s still a massively appealing electric car.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The state-of-the-art of family electric cars”
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The Sun
“Hyundai’s all-electric Kona is handsome – and packed with tech from infotainment system to USB ports. With a range of 259 miles and a £30k price tag, the new Kona is the first genuine long-range electric car for the masses.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Premium SE 64kWhScore: 8 / 10“Hyundai has produced the first viable answer to Tesla’s Model 3… but not enough of them to go around. In such a fast-moving car market, that could prove to be a big problem for the Kona Electric’s prospects.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 39kWh PremiumScore: 6 / 10“The Hyundai Kona Electric is still a likeable little car. With this smaller battery, it certainly makes a good case for itself as a sensible second car or runaround. The trouble is, by and large, its rivals are smarter and roomier, and some also throw a greater range into the bargain too.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Premium 64kWhScore: 9 / 10“A proper tipping point BEV [battery electric vehicle]: genuine 300-mile (ish) range in a small SUV for under £30k. Consider it.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Hyundai Kona Electric comes with a really impressive real-world range. It’s also impressively well equipped, but falters a bit when it comes to interior quality, ride comfort and space. So, if you can afford to, we’d suggest you spend a little more to improve those virtues with the Kia e-Niro.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Score: 7.7 / 10“While it hasn’t ironed out every single issue that faces electric cars, Hyundai has succeeded in creating an eminently usable, fun-to-drive electric car in which you won’t suffer from range anxiety. All in all, it makes a very convincing case for switching to electric.” Rated a BEST BUY.
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Hyundai Kona Electric has not yet been awarded a safety rating by Euro NCAP.
The conventional petrol and diesel Kona models were awarded a five-star safety rating back in 2017, but this does not apply to the Kona Electric because of the substantial differences in the electric motor and battery layout compared to a regular engine and fuel tank.
If and when Euro NCAP tests the Hyundai Kona Electric, we will update this page accordingly.
Eco rating
Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Hyundai Kona Electric has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.
As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming later in the year.
Electric cars are almost guaranteed to do well in Green NCAP testing as they produce no tailpipe emissions, so the Kona Electric will probably score very well if and when it’s tested.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Hyundai Kona Electric, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q4 e-tron | Citroën ë-C4 | DS 3 Crossback E-Tense | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia e-Niro | Kia EV6 | Kia Soul EV | Mazda MX-30 | MG ZS EV | Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid | Nissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo XC40 Recharge
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Keyword: Hyundai Kona Electric