Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range Sunroof Review: Designed Ground Up as an EV
Hyundai's compact SUV feels grown-up and very capable.
![James Wong](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/87392e72e3c0bdea8c53338a148f13e6a6b485ff-3583x3583.jpg?fm=webp)
![thumbnail](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/f3f9f1a9603b30de0b8b674edcdc63b4bb0dccae-1000x667.png?w=200&fm=webp)
![thumbnail](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/d7b3ce5e33cb84a9615c170d1c8cd63dac190908-1000x667.png?w=200&fm=webp)
![thumbnail](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/27d8aa23a5d759e945017ce7a92897a8b61020ed-1000x667.png?w=200&fm=webp)
![thumbnail](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/4c49168c35c874916b7e4aeeb3e10b638c5716c1-1000x667.png?w=200&fm=webp)
![thumbnail](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/4aec7624904927aab57a1fc22c6d3808d737e5dc-1000x667.png?w=200&fm=webp)
Following our review of the Kona Hybrid last year, the car won Best Ergonomics in OneShift’s Car of the Year 2023 and now we get to try the electric version.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/05df072178f335897f42dbe186b28fa8e0a4089a-1000x667.png)
How big is the battery pack of the Kona Electric?
It is available with either a 48.6 kWh or a 64.8 kWh battery; the version tested here has the former and gives a WLTP rated range of 456 km.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/4e51f1b10805a590a6b292b857824f890194a7c1-1000x667.png)
How powerful is the Kona Electric?
It is good for 135 hp (the 64.8 kWh version has 10 hp more) and torque is rated at 255 Nm for both versions - surprisingly a full 10 Nm less than the Kona Hybrid. Usually, EVs would have significantly more torque than their ICE/HEV counterparts. But fret not, on the move, the Kona Electric doesn’t feel any slower than the Hybrid with a 0-100 km/h time of 9.9 seconds. I would say their performance is pretty on par, which is to say, pleasingly sufficient.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/6a9437401314335517f3f86d234e86dfb78e9fcf-1000x667.png)
How practical is the Kona Electric?
Designed ground up first and foremost of an EV, the Kona Electric in principle should feel most at home as a car without any combustion engine under its bonnet. And it shows: packaging wise, the Kona Electric has the exact same cargo capacity as the Kona Hybrid, albeit the former has a bit more due to the availability of a 27-litre frunk.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/e8a76fa8c0811962017f5f118726ff2fffa02d9b-1000x667.png)
How does the Kona Electric drive?
I think its EV-first design filters through in the way it drives, because it goes down a road very similarly to the Hybrid version especially where comfort is concerned. This is a compliment to the Kona Electric, because EVs tend to have their ride comfort undone when dealing with the weight of a battery pack. You don’t really get that with the Kona Electric.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/074e5a768809a655579e65fa4d9e55416f922759-1000x667.png)
Dynamically, with the Kona Electric having less weight up front and more in the middle of its chassis, it should feel more planted around corners and have less understeer. I didn’t drive it anywhere near to its limit to feel these differences, but suffice to say, it is a pleasingly easy car to drive yet with measured, linear controls that convey surprising feedback from the road.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/51868ae6ef7cf0a9807a964e5651baa1f9a8812d-1000x667.png)
What unique features does the Kona Electric have?
Other features exclusive to the Kona Electric you don’t find in the Kona Hybrid include memory driver seats, a rear flat floor and paddle shifters that control regeneration. Not deal breakers by any measure, but they are nice touches. Also, the Kona Electric has V2L capabilities and has a power outlet located in the rear of the cabin - perfect for doing work on the go or powering up a picnic.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/607c7757bb8c57a616ca63dce32d9e6cb30e87eb-1000x667.png)
The Kona Electric is a brilliant electric car that also happens to have a brilliant hybrid sibling as well, and its award-winning ergonomics continue unchanged here. There’s huge appeal in this generation of Kona, whichever powertrain you decide on.
Photos by James Wong
---
Sell your car to us for up to $5,000 more than market prices. Get a quote now!
![Test Drive The Made-In-Singapore Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 6 At Wheeler’s Estate](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/61ce527ddef78f830c92db30a0b899965122fc9b-2052x1364.png?w=500&fm=webp)
![Hyundai IONIQ 6 53 kWh Prestige Review: The Sweet Spot for Singapore](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/76904042085da2a1469907c20eba9b886fb791dd-2048x1365.jpg?w=500&fm=webp)
![Hyundai Will Offer 4 Made In Singapore Variants of IONIQ 6](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/69919ff40a2ba6b8790473cac8f57f3bc61a83ae-5563x3709.jpg?w=500&fm=webp)
![Hyundai SANTA FE TurboHybrid Lands In Singapore®](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/f20e540f5b5f2ee4f97cfbcd48ea350efe70ed29-1199x838.png?w=500&fm=webp)
![Three-Michelin-Star Chef To Open New Restaurant At Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/f981ce7fbeb14ea49c9eca2699b215405ccfa5e1-5000x2813.jpg?w=500&fm=webp)
![Hyundai Avante Hybrid Review: It's All You Want In A Hybrid Sedan](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/otg9j4oh/production-v3/018df8bdad42d7ff9eb0f9b89b075c6ad5255d7e-2048x1365.jpg?w=500&fm=webp)
![get quote bg](/static/get-quote-bg-84fcb3cfb52b10d2706046e3b11a1071.png)
- Convenient and Hassle-Free
- Consumer Protection
Transparent Process
With No Obligation
![get quote bg](/static/get-quote-banner-bg-ce98d86b1c35d163cec4e4f61d437140.png)
![OneShift](/static/oneshift-logo-colour-8faab415a8bfe7f86e23211459e557c4.png)
Get the Best Price for your used car
from 500+ dealers in 24 hours