2021 Hyundai Kona Electric

Overview

To compete with the growing number of electric vehicles hitting the market, Hyundai has swapped the Kona SUV's gasoline engine for an electric motor and battery pack to create the Kona Electric. The swap has resulted in a compelling electric vehicle, with an engaging driving character, zippy performance, and up to 258 miles of all-electric driving range. Styling differences include a unique grille and wheels, but the Kona Electric's unique looks still turns heads like the regular version. Rival EVs such as the Chevrolet Bolt, the Tesla Model 3, and Kia Niro EV offer similar functionality, but the Hyundai's starting price and unbeatable warranty makes it one of the smarter choices in the segment, earning it an Editors' Choice award.

What's New for 2021?

Hyundai has made exactly zero changes to the Kona Electric for the 2021 model year.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

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. As with the regular Kona, the electric version offers sprightly driving dynamics, which makes it fun to scamper along a twisty two-lane. It doesn't offer sports-car-level thrills, but for a subcompact SUV it's compelling to drive. It also cruises smoothly at highway speeds, and feels substantial and planted thanks to the heavy battery, mounted in the floor and its resulting low center of gravity.

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Range, Charging, and Battery Life

Aggressive regenerative braking allows for true one-pedal driving and helps extend the driving range to a claimed 258 miles—1 mile less than the Bolt EV. Pulling the paddles behind the steering wheel allow the driver to adjust the level of regen; we prefer the most aggressive setting. The Kona Electric can be charged on a 110-volt household outlet, but we wouldn't recommend that on a day-to-day basis; a 240-volt outlet is best for home charging and the Kona Electric also can be charged at a DC fast-charging station.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The Kona Electric has earned a combined rating of 120 MPGe from the EPA. In our real-world highway fuel-economy testing, though, we recorded just 86 MPGe and 160 miles of driving range. However, this test was conducted on a 2019 model in December in our home state of Michigan, where temperatures can frequently register below freezing in the winter. We also tested a Bolt EV in similarly frigid weather and it delivered 140 miles of driving range—far below its EPA-rated number of 238 miles.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Kona Electric's cabin is much the same as the one found inside its gas-powered counterpart: It's made from quality materials, is 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. The cargo area is identical to the regular Kona, too; we fit five carry-on suitcases inside with the rear seats in place and a total of 15 with the seats folded.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

All models come with a touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability; base SEL models come with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, while upgrading to the Limited adds an 8.0-inch display. The only way to get navigation is to go for the fully loaded Ultimate model but doing so also adds a large 10.3-inch touchscreen. A six-speaker audio system is standard, while the Limited and Ultimate models both come with an eight-speaker Infinity audio system that sounds much richer.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

While the regular Hyundai Kona performed well in the crash tests administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kona Electric has not been tested. 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. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai's warranty coverage is legendary at this point, and now it's even better because of the recent addition of a three-year/36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan. The Kona Electric (and all other electric-only vehicles) has no oil or spark plugs to change, so the complimentary scheduled maintenance includes tire rotation, cabin air-filter changes, and a variety of different system inspections. Rival EVs such as the Bolt EV or the Model 3 can't touch the Hyundai's standard warranty offerings. The Kia Niro EV offers similar warranty coverage but no complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Battery warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles

More Features and Specs