Hyundai Kona Electric SUV arrives in Australia
Second EV model and first battery-powered SUV from Hyundai Australia priced from under $60KHyundai Australia has added a second all-electric model to its growing fleet of alternately-powered vehicles with the release of the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Based on the existing Kona small SUV, which itself is effectively an extension of the popular Hyundai i30 hatch range – the Kona Electric is available in two variants priced from $59,990 (plus on-road costs) and promises up to 449km from a single charge.
That places the Hyundai Kona Electric at a considerable price premium over its internal-combustion powered siblings. The Kona range starts at $23,500 for the front-wheel drive Go and tops out with the Iron Man Edition all-wheel drive at $39,990 (plus ORCs).
The battery-powered Kona also costs about $15,000 more than the Hyundai IONIQ Electric hatch (from $44,990), $14,000 more than Mitsubishi’s larger plug-in hybrid SUV, the Outlander PHEV (from $45,990), and $10,000 more than the upcoming MkII Nissan LEAF electric hatch (from $49,990).
However, the Kona Hyundai is more than $100,000 cheaper than the only other electric SUV available in Australia, Tesla’s pioneering Model X (from about $178,000).
For now, the Hyundai Kona Electric range does not offer an entry-grade variant comparable to the Go or Active variants in the conventionally-powered Kona range.
Spruiked as a long-range, zero-emissions battery-electric vehicle (BEV), the Kona Electric is offered in two trim grades: Elite and Highlander.
It joins Hyundai’s IONIQ range of city-sized hatches – available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric variants – and the upcoming NEXO hydrogen-powered SUV.
Read new Hyundai Kona 2019 Review
Depending on charging infrastructure, the Kona Electric’s liquid-cooled 64kWh lithium-ion polymer battery can be charged to 80 per cent in as little as 54 minutes (via 100kW DC charging) or in 9.5 hours via a 7.2kW household charger, which Hyundai can fit in your garage for $1950. A regular 240V/10A domestic socket will charge the Kona Electric from empty in 21 hours.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is powered by a 150kW/395Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor capable of propelling the small SUV to 100km/h in a brisk 7.6sec. Top speed is listed at 167km/h. Drive is to the front wheels via a ‘shift-by-wire’ reduction gear transmission with regenerative braking capabilities.
As is increasingly the case wuith 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.
The Kona Electric receives a five-star ANCAP safety rating (2019).
On the infotainment front there is an 8.0-inch touch-screen 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.
The higher-spec Kona Electric Highlander (from $64,490 plus on-road costs) adds 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.
Like all Hyundai passenger cars, the suspension of the Kona Electric is tuned specifically for Australian conditions.
The Kona Electric is differentiated from its conventionally-powered counterpart by a closed grille with Intaglio pattern (familiar to the IONIQ range), unique wave-themed rear bumper, redesigned tail-lights and aero-styled 17-inch alloy wheels with inflator kit ‘spare’ irrespective of grade.
Hyundai’s 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 alongside 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.
Additional cabin space comes as a result of the Kona Electric losing its traditional transmission ‘floor hump’ and shifter from the console. The five-seat SUV offer 332 litres (VDA) of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1114 litres with the seatbacks folded.
Further, the Kona Electric may be monitored via an interlinked smartphone app dubbed Auto Link.
The model also includes Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped price servicing plan known as iCare ($165 per service for the first five years).
Like petrol and diesel-powered models, the Kona Electric’s service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first). The battery is guaranteed for eight years or 160,000km.
“We’re excited to bring long-range, eco-friendly electrified driving within reach of everyone with the stylish Kona Electric small SUV,” said Hyundai Australia CEO, JW Lee said.
“It is Hyundai’s intention to establish leadership for eco cars in Australia. We have demonstrated that with IONIQ and now Kona Electric, with the NEXO hydrogen-powered SUV to follow once suitable infrastructure is developed.
“Kona Electric’s unique, fun styling, packaged with advanced standard safety and connectivity features make for a highly appealing and affordable zero-emissions package,” Lee concluded.
The Hyundai Kona Electric Elite and Highlander is available through Hyundai’s 18 BlueDrive dealers nationally now.
Read a new Hyundai Kona 2019 Review
How much does the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric cost?
Kona Electric Elite — $59,990
Kona Electric Highlander — $64,490
7.2kW DC Home Charger — $1950 (fitted)
Metallic paint — $595
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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