Hyundai Kona Electric (2019 – 2023) Review

June 2018

Hyundai Kona Electric UK specs and prices announced

Hyundai has announced the pricing and specification of the Kona Electric, which will be available to order from the 2 August.

Kona Electric is the latest electrified model from Hyundai, joining both the Ioniq family and the forthcoming Nexo as the brand drives towards 18 new electrified models by 2025. It brings the very latest in battery electric powertrain and connected technology, with an impressive driving range of up to 300 miles, all packaged up in an evolution of the Kona's striking exterior design.

Front styling changes include a signature silver garnish connecting the high level daytime running lamps, a closed grille incorporating the charge point and a redesigned front bumper with active air flaps. At the rear of Kona Electric, the bumper has been redesigned for improved airflow, as well as housing resigned turn signal and fog lamp units. From the side, its dedicated 17-inch alloy wheels, lower side skirt and wheel arch side claddings are clear differentiators from the internal combustion engine versions of Kona.

The Kona Electric models come with a high level of standard safety features, including Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Recognition (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Smart Cruise Control (ASCC) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with individual tyre pressure display. Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Follow Assist (LFA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are also available dependant on trim level.

Prices will start from £29,495 (excluding Plug In Car Grant) for the Kona Electric SE 39kWh, with equipment including a 7-inch display audio including DAB, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, rear parking sensors with rear view camera, Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel controls and a leather steering wheel. Automatic lights, climate control, driver’s side electric lumbar support and keyless entry with start/stop button are amongst the key specification items.

Kona Electric Premium 39kWh is the next model up in the range, which starts from £30,870 (excluding Plug In Car Grant). The specification builds on the SE trim level by offering customers additional equipment including, privacy glass, LED rear lamps, front parking sensors, auto dimming rear mirror and automatic windscreen wipers, 8-inch touchscreen display audio system with Navigation, DAB, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, combined with the KRELL audio system with 8 speakers and wireless charging for compatible devices. Kona Electric Premium is available with two drivetrains; the 39kWh battery with 100kW motor providing 136PS, or the 64kWh battery with 150kW motor with 204PS.

The range topping Kona Electric Premium SE 64kWh is available from £36,295 (not including Plug In Car Grant), which adds additional equipment to the Premium including LED headlamps with High Beam Assist (HBA), static cornering lights and head up display. Additional enhancements over the Premium specification include leather seat facings, electrically adjustable and heated/ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel.

Kona Electric is available in a choice of 6 colours. Galactic Grey (metallic) is a no cost option finish, with Chalk White (pearl), Tangerine Comet (metallic), Ceramic Blue (pearl), Pulse Red (pearl) and Acid Yellow (metallic) being a £565 option. A two-tone roof is available to order as a £420 option on the Premium & Premium SE models.

Kona Electric will initially be available to order exclusively from Hyundai’s Click to Buy website with rollout across the dealer network in 2019.

All Kona Electric models come with Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty, roadside assistance package, 5 Year annual health check, and 12 year anti corrosion warranty.

Kona Electric Pricing – NOT INCLUDING PLUG IN CAR GRANT

December 2018

Corrected figures for Hyundai Kona Electric announced

Hyundai Motor has issued a correction to the official Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) combined all-electric driving range (AER) stated for the Kona Electric.

All new cars to be sold in the European Union are subject to the new WLTP tests, which use a standardised test programme set and overseen by designated testing authorities. In testing the Kona Electric to establish its homologated electric vehicle driving range, the independent organisation overseeing the process accidentally provided an incorrect testing methodology and then approved the results it generated. This led to the Kona Electric being tested for a disproportionate length of time on the WLTP ‘urban’ cycle – comprising lower overall vehicle speeds and a reduced energy requirement – resulting in an overestimation of the vehicle’s all-electric range.

The Kona Electric in 39kWh specification is due to be recalculated with an AER combined range of 289 kilometers (180 miles). The AER of Kona Electric 64kWh is due to be recalculated with a range of 449 kilometers (279 miles).

Hyundai says it's taking the matter seriously and seeking an explanation from the independent body responsible for the error.

January 2020

Hyundai slashes waiting times for Kona Electric

In response to significant customer demand, Hyundai Motor UK has announced that customer waiting times for the new 2020 Kona Electric will be significantly reduced from 12 months to 4 months. The move follows a significant ramp up in availability of its sought-after fully electric model, through the introduction of production in its European Czech-based plant and by increasing existing supply from its facility in Ulsan, South Korea.

In order to streamline the ordering process, the 39kWh model has also been dropped. It accounted for less than one per cent of sales in the UK.

The 2020 Kona Electric is now available to order from across the dealer network with customers benefitting from Hyundai’s comprehensive five-year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance package.

November 2020

Hyundai Kona Electric updated with revised looks and fresh technology

Exterior highlights include new lights and bumpers front and rear, while the interior now features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Customers also get access to a new Bluelink upgrade which allows them to conrol features of the car via their smartphone. The Kona Electric also gets a host of new SmartSense safety features, including:

• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA)
• Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
• Rear Seat Alert (RSA)

March 2021

Updated Hyundai Kona Electric priced from £30,125

The Kona Electric has undergone a series of exterior design updates; at the front with a new-look closed grille and new LED Daytime Running Lights and new, sharper headlamps that incorporate multifaceted reflector (MFR) technology. Air inlets in front of the wheel arch claddings enhance its aerodynamics and reduce turbulence in the front wheelhouse area and the functional air intake in the lower bumper is visually enhanced by horizontal satin accent bars. To the side, new painted wheel arch claddings give the New KONA Electric a fresh new look, with a new 17” alloy wheel design, new rear bumper and revised rear lamps completing the design changes.

Amongst the specification enhancements for Kona Electric, interior additions include a standard 10.25” driver’s digital supervision instrument cluster with a choice of display options and information displays, whilst the 10.25” AVN system is now standard across the range, with its combination of Bluelink® app control, KRELL premium multi speaker sound and navigation with voice control.

Kona Electric continues with a choice of two powertrain offerings, a 39.2kWh with 136PS and a range of 189 miles, or the 64kWh with 204PS and a range of 300 miles. Both models offer charging flexibility with standard 7 pin Type 2 CCS and 3 pin ICCB charging cables. New KONA Electric can be charged from as little as 47 minutes on a 100kW charger, with a full recharge from a 7.2kW charger obtained in just 6 hours.

Three trim levels are available to customers with the new SE Connect and Ultimate trims joining a revised Premium specification. From £33,125 on the road, the Kona Electric SE Connect 39.2kWh is offered with the usual Hyundai high level of standard specification including a standard 10.25” digital supervision instrument cluster, 10.25” AVN system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5 year Bluelink subscription and 10 years of map updates via the MapCare scheme. Standard rear parking sensors with a rear view camera, keyless entry with stop/start button and smart adaptive cruise control with stop/go function all provide customers with convenience when driving.

The Premium trim has been revised from the previous model, with standard equipment additions including full LED headlamps, heated front seats heated steering wheel and cabin ambient lighting. Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCA) are also added to the already comprehensive safety equipment list. Other key features for the Premium include front parking sensors, LED rear lights, power folding mirrors, automatic windscreen wipers and wireless device charging point. The Premium is available with a choice of two powertrains, the 39.2kWh battery, 100kW motor with 136PS and 189 mile 1 range or the 64kWh battery, 150kW motor with 204PS and 300 1 mile range.

New to the Kona Electric range is the Ultimate 64 kWh, which now adds an electric tilt and slide sunroof and the Highway Drive Assist function to an already comprehensive specification, including head up display, leather upholstery with full electric adjustments to the front, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

New KONA Electric is available with a choice of 10 exterior finishes, including 6 new colours:

April 2021

Hyundai Kona Electric given price cut following Plug-in Car Grant changes

The SE Connect now costs £30,395 and Premium at £31,745 (before first registration fee applied). The Kona Electric 64KWh, capable of travelling up to 300 miles on a single charge, now costs £34,995 in Premium specification and £37,145 for the Premium SE (before first registration fee applied).