Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai Kona Electric (2018-2023) review

Big on range and performance, practical and stylish – the Hyundai Kona Electric is a fantastic EV

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£34,265 £41,165
Avg. savings
£3,451 off RRP*
Pros
  • Great performance
  • Good value for money
  • Comfortable and refined
Cons
  • Waiting list to buy is long
  • Similar Kia e-Niro is more practical
  • No long-range entry model
Find your Hyundai Kona
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

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 offering the best value for money, in our opinion.

About the Hyundai Kona Electric

The Kona Electric boasts a bolder look than many of its rivals, is very well made and comes complete with Hyundai’s excellent five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. A version with a 39kWh battery is available for those who don’t need a huge range and want to save on purchasing costs, but our favourite is the larger-batteried 64kWh version with its impressive 300-mile range. If range anxiety has been putting you off switching to an electric car, the Kona Electric 64kWh could well be the solution. All Kona's are very efficient and our tests suggest that you'll get closer to the official range figures than in most rivals. 

Hyundai has plenty of experience with alternative fuel vehicles – its Ioniq hatchback has taken on the Toyota Prius at its own game and become one of our favourite hybrids on sale, while the Ioniq 5 was our 2021 Car of the Year. The pure electric version of that car paved the way for the South Korean manufacturer’s next generation of EVs, with the Kona Electric bringing usable electric power to the booming small SUV segment when it was released in mid-2019.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Kona

2020 Hyundai

Kona

46,874 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,999
View Kona
Kona

2023 Hyundai

Kona

18,271 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,300
View Kona
Kona

2020 Hyundai

Kona

53,907 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,495
View Kona
Kona

2020 Hyundai

Kona

47,228 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £11,835
View Kona

The Kona Electric is a practical small SUV powered by a single electric motor. There are two powertrain choices – a 134bhp motor with a 39kWh battery and claimed 189-mile range, or a 201bhp motor with a 64kWh battery for a 278-mile range.

There are three trim levels to choose from: SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate. SE Connect models come very well equipped, with 17-inch alloys, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors and camera, automatic headlights, keyless entry and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity included as standard. SE Connect models are only available with the lower-powered drivetrain option.

A step up to Premium brings a heating function for the front seats and steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Premium models can be had with either electric drivetrain.

Top-spec Ultimate adds electrically-adjustable heated and ventilated leather seats, full LED headlights, a head-up display and a tilt and slide sunroof. Ultimate models are only available with the more powerful 64kWh battery option.

The Hyundai Kona Electric was positioned to go up against its Kia e-Niro relative, although the e-Niro has since been replaced by the the Niro EV based on an all new platform. A second-generation Hyundai Kona will launch in summer in 2023 with the Kona Electric based on the new platform due to follow soon after to replace this version. Other rivals include the Nissan Leaf, while the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback is similarly priced and might tempt buyers away from a small SUV purchase.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    160kW Advance 65kWh 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £34,265
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    160kW Advance 65kWh 5dr Auto [Comfort Pack]
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £34,865
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    160kW Advance 65kWh 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £34,265
Select car
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

New & used car deals

Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona

RRP £26,735Avg. savings £3,451 off RRP*Used from £9,499
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,831 off RRP*Used from £16,629
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,711
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,400
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Ford Capri review
Ford Capri - main image

Ford Capri review

In-depth reviews
30 Apr 2025
Skoda Enyaq Coupe review
Skoda Enyaq Coupe - front

Skoda Enyaq Coupe review

In-depth reviews
30 Apr 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025