Summary
The Hyundai Kona Electric was a fully-electric version of the Kona small SUV/crossover, and was also closely related to the Kia e-Niro. It arrived in the UK in late 2018, and was removed from sale five years later to make way for a new version of the Kona Electric.
The Kona Electric received high praise from the UK motoring media and, now out of production, it holds a strong Used Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 73%. This is in stark contrast to the regular petrol Kona model range, which sat in the bottom half of the small SUV market when new and hasn’t really improved as a used car.
According to Hyundai’s official figures, the Kona Electric with a 64kWh battery (the larger of the two battery choices) was capable of covering 279 miles on a single charge. Based on independent research, this is likely to translate to a real-world driving figure of about 250 miles.
The Hyundai Kona Electric was praised for its driving range, which is more than comfortable enough for most car buyers, as well as its overall practicality. Critics rated the similar (but now also replaced) Kia e-Niro more highly, although it’s also more expensive than the Hyundai.
An all-new Hyundai Kona range arrived in the UK in Summer 2023. It is based on the new Kia Niro range, and is slightly larger to provide more room for rear-seat passengers.
- Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid (2017 to 2013) – Expert Rating
- More Hyundai ratings, reviews, news and features
Kona Electric highlights
- Impressive battery range
- Practical with lots of sensible tech
- Value for money package
- Fun performance
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/crossover
Powertrain: battery electric vehicle
Price when new: From £32,450 on-road
Launched: Winter 2018/19
Last updated: Spring 2021
Replaced: Summer 2023
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests 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 overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Hyundai Kona Electric is still one of our favourite EVs – punchy performance, a genuinely useful range and decent levels of comfort and practicality make it a great all-rounder. The mid-spec Premium model offers the best value for money, in our opinion.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 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 overview
Score: 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 overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Hyundai’s affordable electric crossover has the numbers to shake this market segment to the core”
Read review
Model reviewed: Premium SE 64 kWh
Score: 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 overview
Score: 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 overview
Score: 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 overview
Score: 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 kWh
Score: 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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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Ultimate 64kWh (facelifted model)
“The Hyundai Kona Electric has been a key player in the UK’s EV market and these latest updates should help to meet consumers growing demands of what they want from an electric car in terms of cost, range and equipment levels.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Ultimate 64kWh (pre-facelift)
Score: 8 / 10
“With 278 miles of a range and a starting price of 35,900, the Hyundai Electric Kona almost matches the distance you can travel in your regular car and at a fairly reasonable price point, too.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Premium SE 64 kWh
Score: 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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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Hyundai Kona Electric is one of the best electric cars on the market. It’ll travel far enough between charges to keep most of us happy, and you get a load of standard equipment for your money. It’s so desirable that actually finding one might be tricky, and you’ll pay a premium for it.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 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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Move Electric
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“What it may lack in interior quality and practicality, the Hyundai Kona Electric certainly makes up for it with its commendable range and zippy performance. Granted, it’s not the most spacious and might not handle as well as the e-Niro, but as a complete package, the Kona Electric is an appealing and stylish choice for anyone making the switch to electrified motoring.” (Sam Phillips)
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 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 64kWh
Score: 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 Premium
Score: 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 64kWh
Score: 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 overview
Score: 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.”
Read review
Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Hyundai has succeeded in creating an eminently usable, fun-to-drive electric car with excellent range. The improvements to both its efficiency and standard equipment following its update in 2020 only increase its appeal, but poor reliability means it is no longer a Which? Best Buy.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Hyundai Kona Electric was not 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 that score was not applied to the Kona Electric because of the substantial differences in the electric motor and battery layout compared to a regular engine and fuel tank.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco ratingNo eco rating
The Hyundai Kona Electric was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of August 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Hyundai Kona Electric to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Kona Electric, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 245 miles | B | 180 – 300 miles | A – C |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4.6 m/KWh | A | 4.3 – 5 m/KWh | A – B |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 23 | B | 20 – 27 | A – B |
The Hyundai Kona Electric is both cheap to run and pretty efficient, according to running cost data provided exclusively by our partner Clear Vehicle Data. Its maximum battery range is competitive with the electric car market at large, and its insurance premiums are lower than average too.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Hyundai Kona Electric
Date: June 2023
Recall number: R/2023/134
Model types: Kona EV
Build dates: 06/2020 to 09/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 1,121
Defect: Subject vehicles may experience a loss of coolant within the electronic power control unit.
Remedy: Inspect the electronic power control unit and replace the component if required.
Date: April 2021
Recall number: R/2021/087
Model types: Kona EV
Build dates: 05/2018 to 03/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 1,214
Defect: Potential electrical short in the lithium-ion battery.
Remedy: Initial step to limit the charge state followed by eventual complete replacement of the battery assembly.
Date: January 2021
Recall number: R/2020/382
Model types: Kona EV and hybrid
Build dates: 01/2018 to 11/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 12,835
Defect: If an abnormality is registered within the IEB system that might illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the vehicle cluster braking performance may be reduced.
Remedy: A software upgrade to the ESC (electronic stability control) system.
Date: February 2021
Recall number: R/2021/014
Model types: All Kona models
Build dates: 09/2020 to 12/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 1,879
Defect: The vehicle VIN information may not be registered correctly within the E-call unit.
Remedy: Register the VIN information within the vehicle by resetting the E-call unit and updating.
Date: October 2020
Recall number: R/2020/308
Model types: Kona EV
Build dates: 01/2018 to 11/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 1,672
Defect: The high voltage battery system may have a faulty battery management system (BMS) or in extreme cases may exhibit internal damage to certain cells of the lithium-ion battery.
Remedy: A software upgrade to the BMS inspection of lithium-ion battery data and if required replacement of a faulty battery module or complete battery assembly.
Date: May 2019
Recall number: R2019/115
Model types: All Kona models
Build dates: 04/2017 to 09/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 1,522
Defect: A right-front brake fluid line and air-conditioning tube may become damaged and leak.
Remedy: The brake pipe and air-conditioning pipe will be inspected for damage. If the pipes are damaged they will be replaced.
Date: January 2019
Recall number: R/2019/001
Model types: All Kona models
Build dates: 05/2018 to 12/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 416
Defect: The airbag may not deploy properly during a crash due to a programming issue.
Remedy: Upgrade the software in the Airbag Control Unit.
As of August 2024, there have been six DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Hyundai Kona Electric – two of which apply to all Kona models, not just the EV versions. These cover software, battery and braking issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Hyundai dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Kona Electric, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Hyundai Kona Electric has received
2023
- What Car? EV Awards – Best Used Electric Small SUV
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
- Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid (2017 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Hyundai ratings, reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Hyundai Kona Electric at The Car Expert
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