Hyundai Kona Electric 2019 Review

Hyundai has launched its first long-range, zero-emissions SUV in Australia, the Hyundai Kona Electric.

The small battery-powered SUV is the second all-electric model to be released by the Korean manufacturer in the last 12 months, following the Hyundai IONIQ Electric -- the first of 38 alternatively-powered vehicles Hyundai says it will debut by 2025.

It’s a timeline Hyundai should meet with ease. With hybrid and two plug-in versions of the IONIQ already on sale locally, and the hydrogen fuel-cell NEXO SUV due soon, Hyundai already offers more alternatives to conventionally-powered vehicles than any other brand.

But it’s the Kona Electric that arguably offers the most appeal. SUVs large and small are already selling faster than any other passenger vehicle, meaning the switch to electric power is one that many should more readily accept in this case.

Combine that with a real-world range comparable to the Kona’s petrol-powered siblings, and it’s easier again.

Hyundai says the Kona Electric will travel 449km from a single charge of its liquid-cooled 64kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

Charging is possible in as little as 54 minutes via a 100kW DC charger or 9.5 hours via a 7.2kW household charger Hyundai installs in your garage for $1950. If you’re not in a hurry, the Kona Electric may be charged via a 240-volt/10-amp domestic outlet in 21 hours.

That power is channelled to the front wheels via a 150kW/395Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and reduction gear ‘shift-by-wire’ transmission with regenerative braking capabilities. Hyundai quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration figure of 7.6sec and a top speed of 167km/h.

Hyundai says it hope to sell ‘500 to 600’ examples of the Kona Electric in Australia this year. It says production, not demand or acceptance of new technology, will be the sticking point in achieving broader sales.

By comparison, internal-combustion-powered Kona variants accounted for 8.2 per cent of the 26-strong market segment, the model selling 1531 units to the end of February 2019. The Kona ranks fifth behind the Mitsubishi ASX (3940 units), Mazda CX-3 (2496), Honda HR-V (2068) and Nissan QASHQAI (1694).

Look anywhere in the electric car market and an expensive price tag tends to appear.

Small hatches like the Hyundai IONIQ Electric, Nissan LEAF and Renault ZOE hover around the $50,000 mark, while better-known Tesla Model S sedan and Model X SUV begin at $125K and $134K respectively.

That makes the Hyundai Kona Electric Elite, priced at $59,990 (plus on-road costs), something of a bargain – comparatively, at least.

But when viewed against its conventionally-powered sibling, it’s a proposition that attracts a $36,490 premium -- more than double the asking price of the entry-spec Kona Go (from $23,500 plus ORCs) and still $20K more than the range-topping Kona Iron Man all-wheel drive (from $39,990 plus ORCs).

Hyundai also offers the Kona Electric Highlander (from $64,490 plus ORCs), adding a glass sunroof, wireless (inductive) smartphone charging, power-operated heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, as well as folding-type head-up display, high-beam assist, front park-assist and LED headlights and tail-lights to the equipment list.

Kona Electric Elite and Highlander variants both include an 8.0-inch touch-screen array with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity across the line-up.

Satellite navigation is included, as is Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, and digital radio reception (DAB+). Sound comes via an eight-speaker Infinity premium audio system with external amplifier and subwoofer.

Further, the Kona Electric may be monitored via an interlinked smartphone app dubbed Auto Link.

Like all Hyundai passenger cars the Kona Electric is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped-price servicing scheme.

Service intervals are set a 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first) and cost $165 each for the first five years. The battery is guaranteed for eight years or 160,000km.

Direct government subsidies on electric-powered vehicles are not yet offered, but that could change following the next federal – and various state – elections.

Hyundai tells us that 40 per cent of Kona buyers cite style as the main reason for buying its quirky-looking SUV.

For that reason it didn’t play with the ‘tried and tested’ design too greatly, with aerodynamic enhancement (drag coefficient is down from 0.34 to 0.29Cd) being the only real differentiator between conventionally-powered and electric Kona variants.

Like the IONIQ range, the Kona Electric features a closed grille with Intaglio pattern and aero-styled 17-inch alloy wheels. It also scores a unique, wave-design rear bumper and redesigned tail-lights.

The Hyundai Kona Electric is available in six paint colours, with a no-cost contrasting roof available on Highlander variants. The fitment of the two-tone roof does, however, mean omitting the sunroof.

Black leather upholstery features with Pulse Red, Phantom Black or Lake Silver paint hues, while Galactic Grey, Ceramic Blue and Chalk White paint colours bring the choice of Black or Stone Grey leather trim.

Kona Electric models include as standard a 7.0-inch ‘screen-type’ instrument panel, joining additional cabin space afforded by a bridge-style centre console.

The five-seat Kona Electric SUV features 332 litres (VDA) of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1114 litres with the seatbacks folded.

As is increasingly the case on other mainstream Hyundai models, the Kona Electric includes Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of safety technologies on all model grades.

The package includes Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Smart Cruise Control (Adaptive Cruise Control) with Stop & Go and Driver-Attention Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Six airbags, top-tether and ISOFIX child seat anchor points are also included across the range, as are acoustic parking sensors, a reversing camera and climate control air-conditioning.

Locally there’s obviously a need to flag the (coal-fired) source of energy used to provide power to EVs like the Kona Electric. While that may be an argument for another day, Hyundai is quick to point out that most electricity retailers offer a ‘green’ option when choosing your plan, meaning careful selection could make the Kona Electric the ‘zero emissions’ vehicle its manufacturer claims it to be.

Leaving that elephant in the room, it’s time to focus on the experience at the wheel.

Like the regular Kona it’s the everyday practicality of the Kona Electric that stands out most. The higher hip point makes entry and exit easy, while sensible ergonomics, excellent vision, and easy-to-understand controls allow a user-friendly experience from the driver’s seat.

Broadly, Hyundai has made the Kona Electric (and IONIQ range, for that matter) easy to get your head around. The ability to get in and drive the Kona Electric without special instruction didn’t go unnoticed at launch.

Combine this with a sense of response and feedback that closely mimics that of a conventionally-powered car, and it’s easy to see how acceptable this ‘electric alternative’ really is.

Acceleration is brisk at all speeds with no hesitation between input and action. Whether from standstill or during overtaking manoeuvres the Kona Electric moves quickly to the driver’s command. The quiet but efficient turn of speed is surprising the first few times you try it, and addictive from thereon.

Like any vehicle, range suffers from a heavy right foot, though not to the extent we expected. Against Hyundai’s 449km range claim we managed 421km from a single charge, or 15.2kWh/100km.

Clever on-board monitoring allows easy observation of the Kona Electric’s state of charge and one’s own driving habits, and the ability to easily program recharging during off-peak times is another highlight of the fuss-free interface.

Beyond performance and range it’s the Kona Electric’s comfort and dynamics that impresses most. The light, well-metered controls allow wonderfully accurate placement of the car in corners, taking full advantage of Hyundai’s locally-tuned suspension.

Despite the considerable increase in kerb weight over conventional front-wheel drive Kona variants (1383 v 1685kg), the electric model’s low centre of gravity and balanced front-to-rear weight distribution give it impressively sporty reflexes.

In fact, it’s only the Kona Electric’s low rolling resistance tyres that seem to limit its tenacious hold on the road.

In spite of the playful dynamics the Kona Electric remains settled and comfortable on pockmarked roads. The confidence stance gives the driver a chance to enjoy the serenity offered from the ultra-quiet driveline, and the opportunity to sample the four-mode drive programs and steering-wheel-mounted regenerative braking selectors (which are fun to use in a manner similar to ‘gearing down’ when entering corners).

Vehicles like the Hyundai Kona Electric might seem something of a compromise at this stage. They’re dearer to buy and take longer to ‘refuel’ than their conventionally-powered rivals, which makes justifying one’s choice difficult indeed.

But those points aside – and our reliance on brown coal for base-load power supply notwithstanding – the Kona Electric is a car without many of the compromises you might expect.

It drives as well or better than almost any rival in its class, delivers comparable range to a petrol-powered small SUV, and retains all of the packaging benefits compact crossover buyers crave.

As an example of not only the best electric vehicle technology available right now, but also of what’s to come, the Hyundai Kona Electric is a benchmark by which we’ll almost certainly measure future rivals. Let’s just hope fleet buyers and early adopters feel the same way.

How much does the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Elite cost?
Price: $59,990 (plus on-road costs)
Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous AC electric
Output: 150kW/395Nm
Transmission: Reduction gear
Battery: 64kWh lithium-ion polymer
Range: 449km (WLTP); 421km or 15.2kWh/100km (as tested)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2019)

How much does the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander cost?
Price: $64,490 (plus on-road costs)
Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous AC electric
Output: 150kW/395Nm
Transmission: Reduction gear
Battery: 64kWh lithium-ion polymer
Range: 449km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2019)