Introduction
The Hyundai Kona electric is without doubt one of the most successful electric cars of the moment, and we will explain why through this comprehensive test.
The Hyundai Kona electric // Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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If you are looking for a rather versatile electric car, especially in terms of autonomy, you have certainly checked the Tesla box. However, there are other electric alternatives to the American manufacturer, including the very interesting Hyundai Kona electric. Interesting in the sense that, with its battery with a capacity of 64 kWh, she claims about 450 kilometers of autonomy on a single charge. What to consider seriously enough longer journeys, like the Tesla which, thanks to their autonomy and the density of the charging network, can easily cross France without worrying, precisely, about charging. As we will see, the Hyundai Kona electric has many assets to make people talk about it, starting with its satisfactory autonomy, its excellent driving pleasure and its controlled consumption.
State-of-the-art technology
Let’s start with the presentations. The Hyundai Kona is basically a small SUV from 4.16 meters long and available within the range of the South Korean manufacturer under several engines. There will be something for everyone since there is gasoline, diesel, simple hybrid, rechargeable hybrid and therefore 100% electric. The Kona is also the technical cousin of the Kia Niro, which has almost the same technical characteristics. You will therefore have the choice between these two silhouettes if, aesthetically, you like one less than the other.
Inside, the Hyundai Kona electric is far from being as technological as a Tesla Model 3 for example, even if it is far from being ridiculous. It offers all the necessary functionalities in terms of driving aids and connectivity. The ergonomics are rather neat and the infotainment system is clear and fluid. A very good point against the competition, starting with the duo of 100% electric SUV French, the Peugeot e-2008 and DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, far from being at the level in this area.
The interior of the Hyundai Kona electric // Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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The infotainment system is divided into two parts with, of course, an interface in front of the driver’s eyes as with every new item now. That of the Hyundai Kona electric is simplistic to say the least with some information relating to consumption and shortcuts in the menus on the central touch screen. Precisely, this touch screen is full of information of all kinds. Besides its compatibility with services Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it has great ergonomics with a full display and quality graphics.
Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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The strengths of the Kona electric are its multiple services linked to the use of an electric car. So you can see what your range will be with the range you have left, or even view nearby charging stations. You can also have a detailed view of your consumption to better manage your acceleration and reporting phases.
Quality regenerative braking
Another very appreciable gadget, at the level of the instrumentation handset, each time you lift your foot or that you brake, a small counter appears with a kind of eco-score which indicates the number of meters of autonomy recovered thanks to the regenerative braking. For example, at the end of a toll, when we stop our car launched at 130 km / h on the highway, the small gauge tells us that deceleration and braking have enabled us to recover 1.8 km of range. Put end to end on a path, it is ten kilometers, or even more, that can be recovered via energy recovery under braking. You can manage the intensity of regenerative braking on three levels using the paddles on the steering wheel, level three being the highest. Three driving modes are also available, namely “Eco”, “Normal” and “Sport” modes.
The dashboard // Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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In terms of roominess, the Hyundai Kona is not the best in its class, but neither is it the worst considering its small size. So, even in the electric version, it retains a boot volume that we will describe as correct, without more, with 332 liters, or 29 liters less compared to a thermal version. It will also be necessary to make a small space for the charging cables delivered with the car. At the rear, the habitability is correct there too, nothing more. Two adults will be able to hold it rather comfortably, the central place being always not very comfortable and much too narrow.
Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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A quick pass to the side of an Ionity station
In view of the current situation and the 100 kilometers not to be exceeded, we were unable to make long journeys with our Kona electric. So we settled for a simple round trip from Paris to Nemours, the opportunity to go and test the recharge via Ionity. As a reminder, Hyundai is part of the consortium, preferential rates will apply for customers of the brand, in the same way as Audi, Mercedes, Porsche or Ford. For the moment, Hyundai has not yet communicated its precise prices, but they should be around 0.30 cts / kWh, far from 0.49 cts / kWh (and previously 79 cts / kWh) for drivers who would not drive in an electric car whose brand is part of the consortium (Jaguar I-Pace, Peugeot e-208 and e-2008 or DS 3 Crossback E-Tense).
We unlock the terminal with our Chargemap Pass and we recharge our Kona electric, more to test the recharge rather than by need, because we could largely have done what we had to do during our four days with the car without needing to recharge it. If the charging power is announced at the maximum at 77 kW by Hyundai and in summer conditions, which was the case during our test, the terminal never delivered more than 53 kW. Arrived at the charging station with 44% of remaining autonomy, the car screen indicates that it would remain there 34 minutes to recharge up to 80% and 1h28 to fully recharge the battery, the recharge power decreasing little gradually approaching 100% to preserve the battery.
The Hyundai Kona electric at an Ionity terminal // Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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And on the road?
As for the driving part, this is where the Kona excels and surprises, especially for an SUV. Rigorous, dynamic, comfortable, the Kona electric has no shortage of arguments to seduce. The electric motor develops a total of 204 horsepower and 395 Nm of torque, enough to guarantee cannon starts. Agile, despite its substantial weight of 1,722 kilos, our Kona is very pleasant to drive, whatever the situation.
There are nevertheless some faults, such as some torque increases in the steering wheel, often inherent in electric vehicles and a front axle that is sometimes saturated, in particular due to the pneumatic mounting (Nexen N’Fera SU1 with very low rolling resistance), in dynamic driving phase, but nothing unacceptable overall. Regarding regenerative braking (which, unlike the Nissan Leaf e +, does not allow to go to a stop), it is very effective, but when braking with the left pedal, we regret a feeling with the pedal too spongy and especially a race too long.
The Hyundai Kona electric seen from the back // Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid
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Let’s talk little, let’s talk numbers
To conclude, we will talk about figures, especially those concerning consumption and prices. During our test, we noted approximately 13 kWh in urban use, approximately 16.5 kWh in mixed use and 20 kWh on the highway, at 130 km / h. Figures that place the Kona electric among the best electric vehicles in this field, far ahead of the duo of electric SUVs from PSA for example.
The Hyundai Kona electric starts from 34,900 euros in France, excluding the ecological bonus of 6000 euros, for the model with the small 39 kWh battery (which claims a range of around 300 km and 136 horsepower). You have to count at least 39,700 euros for our model with the 64 kWh battery and 46,400 euros, excluding ecological bonus, with all options.
At this price, the Kona electric that we have to test is not affected by the maximum ecological bonus of 6000 euros since it exceeds 45,000, the maximum threshold from the new bonus grid to benefit from the aid. 6000 euros. Normally, it is therefore a bonus of 3000 euros which must apply. But Hyundai assures us that a discount on the price of the car will allow it to go below 45,000 euros and thus benefit from the maximum bonus, even for our Kona electric.
Which brings us to less than 40,000 euros for the highest-end Kona electric in France. A significant price knowing that the average basket of a new vehicle is 26,000 euros in France in 2019, but rather competitive in the electric vehicle segment in view of its benefits and its versatility.
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