The Hyundai Kona Electric is a super-compact (small-crossover) SUV and is the electric counterpart of the traditional gasoline-powered Hyundai Kona. Hence, instead of the usual 4-cylinder engine, the Electric variant comes with a similarly competent electric motor that can go up to 258 miles on a single charge. To learn more about the model’s range of features and whether this should be your next car purchase in a more environment-friendly world, read on below.

What’s new about the Hyundai Kona Electric?

The Hyundai Kona Electric is an upgrade over the already popular previous variant. It includes rear and front bumpers, new wheel designs, overall tweaked interiors, and a better infotainment touchscreen display.

Additionally, the ‘Ultimate’ variant of the car has been eliminated; therefore, only the base SEL and the higher-end Limited trim models remain. The notable features are as follows:

Exterior styling

The Hyundai Kona Electric has a playful and fun design; it perfectly balances being overly attractive and overly simplistic. The front fender and bumper extend well below the hood, giving the vehicle a muscular structure. On the rear, the vehicle looks just like any other hatchback, with wrap-around taillights and some additional styling on the indicator lights.

Interior styling

The interior of the Hyundai Kona Electric is the same as found in its gas counterpart.

The feature-rich cabin has been created from high-quality materials that further lend the space an air of elegance and understated power. In the middle of the dashboard is the infotainment display with its buttons/knobs, along with air-conditioning vents and cup holders. The steering wheel houses buttons for easy interior function controls as well. The base SEL trim has standard cloth seats, whereas the higher trim comes with leather-trimmed seats. A power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats are optional in the SEL, and the Limited has heating and ventilation for the front seats and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Performance

The Hyundai Kona Electric sports a 201-hp electric motor and can go up to 258 miles per charge. Furthermore, the Hyundai Kona Electric offers better driving dynamics than the regular Kona, making driving more enjoyable.

Comfort

Even though the Hyundai Kona Electric is compact in its dimensions, it can still accommodate cargo and passengers well. The front seats are comfortable, with enough leg and headroom. Additionally, the second row also features sufficient headroom with slightly less-than-ideal legroom.

Technology

All of the trim variants of the Hyundai Kona Electric feature Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® integration within the infotainment display. There is a 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display available on the Limited variant, and the base model comes with an 8-inch infotainment display. Furthermore, a six-speaker setup has been provided with an optional Harman Kardon® Premium Audio with Clari-Fi® Music Restoration Technology for the Limited trim model.

Storage

The overall cargo area of the Hyundai Kona Electric is similar to the regular Kona, which is 19 cubic feet. Furthermore, the total passenger volume inside the vehicle is rated at 93 cubic feet.

Fuel economy

Since the Hyundai Kona Electric sports a 150-kWh battery across trims, the fuel economy is rated at an EPA-estimated 258-mile range.

Safety

The Hyundai Kona Electric features automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring systems. Other safety features include forward-collision warning, lane-departure assist, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection. There’s also an optional adaptive cruise control feature offered only in the Limited trim model.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that the Hyundai Kona Electric is a highly value-oriented electric vehicle because of its impressive safety features, quick charging technology, and superb real-world range. If you’re not one to harp on the finer details, the SEL variant might be the one for you because it comes with all the essential features you require, such as a sunroof, heated front seats, and a wireless charging pad for your smartphone.