The brand new-generation Hyundai Kona Electrical has arrived in Australia, and it’s discovered itself in a really totally different world to the one its predecessor launched in.
Again then , the plucky electrical SUV had the mainstream EV market extra to itself. However now, it faces challenges from the BYD Atto 3, MG ZS EV beneath it, and the Tesla Mannequin Y above it.
So has the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical finished sufficient to earn a spot in your procuring listing?
Value: What does the Hyundai Kona Electrical value and what options do you get?
Excellent news! The most cost effective Kona Electrical is now cheaper than earlier than.
Yep, Hyundai Australia has saved us in suspense for numerous months — presumably whereas it was preventing with HQ over simply how low the value might go — however we now know the 48.6kWh Kona Electrical Customary Vary will begin at $54,000, which is $500 cheaper than the outgoing mannequin.
The identical automobile with a much bigger 64.8kWh battery, referred to as the Kona Electrical Prolonged Vary, is $58,000, which is $2500 cheaper than the mannequin it replaces, too.
Lastly, you possibly can have the Kona Electrical Premium, which is simply out there with the larger battery — however you’ll need to pay for it, with the fanciest Kona itemizing at $68,000, or $4000 greater than its equal predecessor (which was referred to as the Highlander).
That squishes the Kona into a possible candy spot, above the BYD Atto 3, which begins at $48,011, however beneath the Tesla Mannequin Y, which kicks off at $65,400.
The Kona Electrical will get 17-inch alloys, LED lighting, twin 12.3-inch screens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone local weather, wi-fi telephone charging and keyless entry and begin.
The Premium then provides 19-inch wheels (which eat into driving vary), heated and cooled seats, a head-up show and higher Bose stereo, fake-leather trim and a powered boot.
What’s powering the Hyundai Kona Electrical and how briskly can it cost?
This isn’t your lightning-fast-style EV, with each Kona powertrains providing calm, moderately than chaotic, acceleration and comparatively subdued outputs.
The entry-level Kona will get a single, front-mounted electrical motor, producing 99kW and 255Nm. Premium and Prolonged Vary fashions ship 150kW and 255Nm, however stick with the only motor setup.
The Customary Vary Kona’s 48.6kWh battery delivers a claimed 370km driving vary, whereas the Prolonged Vary’s 64.8kWh battery ups that determine to 505km. The Premium, although, falls sufferer to its greater wheels, with vary dropping to 444km, regardless of sharing its battery with the Prolonged Vary Kona.
The Kona is about up for 10.4kW AC charging, however its DC cost fee is lower than 100kW, which means ultra-fast charging is off the desk. Because of this, going from 10-80 p.c full on a DC charger will take 45 minutes.
How sensible is the Hyundai Kona Electrical?
In a phrase? Very. This can be a small SUV that’s nipping on the heels of automobiles a measurement up, given its solely marginally smaller than the Hyundai Tucson, and which means loads of room for passengers and cargo.
The backseat is particularly spacious by way of each head- and leg-room, and the 407-litre boot swells to a really useable 1241 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded flat, and I can let you know that the Kona is lots sensible in terms of packing for every week away or longer.
What’s the Hyundai Kona Electrical prefer to drive?
I’m going to be trustworthy with you; when you’re on the lookout for an EV that basically shift the efficiency needle, or that makes the hairs in your arms get up each time you sweep the accelerator, nicely the Hyundai Ioniq ain’t it.
That is about sedate, suburban motoring greater than anything, and it’s zero-to-100km/h occasions (9.9sec Customary Vary or 8.1sec Prolonged Vary) just about affirm it.
However is that basically such a nasty factor? Do folks need their small SUVs, it doesn’t matter what is powering them, to be high-riding rocket ships with a too-firm trip and too-sharp steering? Or is practicality and luxury the order of the day?
If it’s the latter, and I believe it’s, you’ll discover loads of each within the Kona Electrical, which, regardless of feeling little dialled down for the reason that final iteration, nonetheless affords greater than sufficient grunt to get you transferring, and each steers and rides like a sorted small SUV ought to.
This one wasn’t tuned in Australia, however continues to be feels nicely suited to our situations, even when the trip can really feel just a little brittle at occasions, particularly over dozier street surfaces. However the steering is gentle and direct, and there’s a feeling of connection between you and street beneath you.
Briefly, the Kona Electrical is a kind of vehicles that doesn’t scream at you. As an alternative, with no noticeable annoyances and easy-to-live with traits, you rapidly fall right into a rhythm.
What’s the Hyundai Kona Electrical’s battery and automobile guarantee?
Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee is available in right here, whereas the Kona Electrical’s battery is roofed for eight years or 160,000km.
Servicing is pegged at 24 months or 30,000km, and capped at $520 per go to for the primary three companies.
The Hyundai Electrical verdict:
Easy, fuss-free EV motoring, this. And with a worth that neatly plugs the hole between manufacturers like BYD and Tesla, the Kona Electrical is worthy of a spot in your test-drive listing.