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Hyundai Kona Electric (2018 to 2023)

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Expert Rating

Hyundai Kona Electric (2018 to 2023)

Not a current model

    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, 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 77%. 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 conducted by What Car?, 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.

    In December 2022, Hyundai announced an all-new Kona range, which 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.

    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


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

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    Auto Express

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    Auto Trader

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    Autocar

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    Car

    +

    Car Keys

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Carwow

    +

    Company Car Today

    +

    Discover EV

    +

    Green Car Guide

    +

    Heycar

    +

    Honest John

    +

    Move Electric

    +

    Parkers

    +

    The Sun

    +

    The Sunday Times

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    The Telegraph

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    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Which?

    +

    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 emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    The Hyundai Kona Electric was not lab tested by Green NCAP.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    As of August 2023, 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 for us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Kona Electric, we’ll publish the score here.

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
    EV models245 milesB180 – 300 milesA – C
    Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
    EV models4.6 m/KWhA4.3 – 5 m/KWhA – B
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models23B20 – 27A – 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.

    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 hybridNissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo XC40 Recharge

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    The Hyundai Kona Electric been highly praised by the media for its 250+ mile driving range and its overall practicality.Hyundai Kona Electric (2018 to 2023)