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Overview
With its standout styling and long electric-only driving range, the Kona Electric is poised for success. Based on the standard gasoline-powered Kona, the Kona Electric provides the same athletic chassis but with a zap of electricity—we like both Kona versions so much we named them to our 10Best Trucks and SUVs list for 2019.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
A 201-hp electric motor drives the front wheels (all-wheel drive isn't offered) and is powered by a 64.0-kWh battery pack. At our test track, the Kona Electric galloped from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, 0.2 second quicker than the regular Kona. Aggressive regenerative braking allows for true one-pedal driving and helps extend the driving range to a claimed 258 miles—20 miles more than the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Pulling the paddles behind the steering wheel allow the driver to adjust the level of regen, but we prefer the most aggressive setting. The Kona Electric has earned a 120-MPGe combined rating from the EPA but in our real-world highway fuel-economy testing, we recorded just 86 MPGe and 160 miles of driving range. It should be noted, however, that our test was completed in December in our home state of Michigan, where temperatures can frequently be below freezing in the winter. We also tested a Bolt EV in similarly frigid weather and it delivered a mere 140 miles of driving range, far below its number of 238 miles.
Interior and Technology
The Kona Electric's cabin is much the same as the one found inside its gas-powered counterpart: It's made from quality materials, comfortable, and rich with features. The rear seat and cargo area are tight, even by subcompact-crossover standards, but since the Kona was designed from the outset to accommodate a battery pack, there's no less room inside the Electric than the standard model. All models come with a touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking are standard across the range but adaptive cruise control and pedestrian-detection technology are only offered on the top-spec Ultimate model.
