Green Car Journal logo

The 2022 Kona Electric from South Korean automaker Hyundai stands out in the ever growing electric car market on many fronts. Trim and nimble, this compact SUV has plenty of punch to deliver a spirited driving experience, yet has great electric range at a price point that makes it a real value. Base price for the Kona Electric starts at a reasonable $34,000. EPA-estimated range comes in at 258 miles, with the Kona Electric’s. EPA fuel economy rating up there with the best in the industry at 132 MPGe in the city, 108 on the highway, and 120 combined.

Power is stored in a 64 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack that energizes the model’s 201 horsepower electric motor. Hyundai says expect a full charging time in just over 9 hours with a Level II home or public charger. Charging time shortens considerably to 64 minutes for a 10-to-80 percent charge at an available public 50 kW Level III quick charger and just 47 minutes if charging at a 100 kW Level III charging station.

Exterior styling is markedly cleaner on the 2022 Kona Electric compared to the previous year’s model. It looks sleek and purposeful with a more aggressive stance and on road presence, featuring a stretched hood, revised front and rear fascia, and air inlets in the bumper corners. The charging port is cleanly built into the front fascia/bumper for easy connections when pulling straight into a charging spot, a welcome feature for those accustomed to charge ports mounted on the side of an electric vehicle. Night driving is made safer with the addition of high intensity halogen projector beam headlights and LED daylight running lights make the Kona easier to spot by other drivers. The taillights are also bright energy saving LEDs.

Kona Electric is very welcoming on the inside. The driver is treated to an 8-way adjustable seat with power lumbar support with the passenger provided a 6-way adjustable bucket seat, both of them heated. A Harmon Kardon engineered and tuned multi-speaker audio system includes a center console-mounted sub-woofer. The system is Apple CarPlay and Android compatible and controlled through a 10.25 inch color LCD touch screen at the center of the dash. A second 10.25 digital cluster is located in front of the driver. Interior panels are accented by trim with the look of brushed aluminum.

A full suite of driver assist and advanced safety systems is available . Among these are Smart Cruise Control with stop and go, Lane Following Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Highway Drive Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance, and more.

The Kona platform is right-sized for many mobility missions, compact for easy city maneuverability and parking but also accommodating enough to provide a comfortable experience for driver and passengers. It measures in with an overall length of 165.6 inches and is built on a 102.4 inch wheelbase chassis, offering welcome ride-quality for around-town driving and longer daily commutes.

hyundai-kona-electric-drivinng-1Hyundai’s 2019 Kona joins a growing list of long-range EVs aiming to entice new car buyers to go electric. The Kona Electric subcompact crossover looks like its conventionally-powered counterpart save for its closed front grille, silver side sills, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, and appropriate badging. It is available in three trim levels – SEL, Limited, and Ultimate.  Like the gasoline Kona, the Kona Electric is available with a two-tone roof if the sunroof is not ordered.

Power is provided by a 201-horsepower electric motor driving the front wheels, energized by a 64-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that enables an estimated 250-mile range. It can be recharged from a depleted state in about 54 minutes via a fast 100 kW Combined Charging System (CCS), or in 75 minutes with the more common 50 kW CCS. Charging with a 240-volt Level 2 charger takes about 10 hours. An EPA estimated 117 MPGe is expected. The Kona Electric accelerates from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 104 mph.

hyundai-kona-electric-cabinA 7-inch TFT screen instrument cluster shows the speedometer, battery charge level, energy flow, and driving mode. There’s also a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen system that offers HD and satellite radio as well as BlueLink data connectivity. The system is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation with an 8-inch screen is optional. BlueLink app-based remote charge management and charge scheduling is fitted. Other available features include a flip-up head-up display and wireless inductive charging for personal electronics.

hyundai-kona-electric-displayPush button shift-by-wire controls are located on the center console. Adjustable regenerative braking is controlled by steering wheel paddles. Electrically-assisted power steering has been tweaked to accommodate the enhanced low-speed performance of an electric vehicle.

A host of driver assist features are provided depending on the trim level. All trim levels get Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear View Monitor, and  Smart Cruise Control. The Ultimate trim level adds Parking Distance Warning for reverse, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and a head-up display.

The Kona Electric will initially be sold only in California. It will eventually be available in states that have adopted the California ZEV mandate.

hyundai-kona-electric-charging