Hyundai Kona Electric Review 2023 | Performance & Pricing

The Hyundai Kona Electric is very capable, whatever sort of road you’re driving on, although the smaller battery version does hinder long-distance runs

In town

Electric cars always feel really nippy to drive in town. That’s because all of their power is available the instant you press the throttle pedal. In a petrol or diesel car, the engine only makes all of its power available at certain revs.

The Kona Electric proves to be particularly nippy around town, because it’s relatively light for an electric car. Indeed, the 64kWh version is arguably a bit too nippy. It has a more powerful, 204hp motor and, if you stamp on the throttle, you can feel the front wheels scrabble around as they try to transfer all that power to the road. It feels more controlled with a lighter touch on the pedal, but it’s easy to overstep the mark. If you mostly drive in town, the less powerful 39kWh version may be the better bet.

It’s a small car, so driving the Kona Electric along narrow city streets is really easy. You don’t sit particularly high up for an SUV, but you still have good visibility all-round. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard on all models to help you out when parking, although it’s easy enough just using the mirrors.

There’s lots of adjustment in the driver’s seat and steering wheel, so pretty much anyone should be able to find a driving position that suits them. The car is generally quiet and comfortable, too. 

The regenerative braking (which recharges the battery) can be dialled up through several settings. In the highest setting, the car slows down when you lift off the throttle so strongly that you basically only need to use the actual brakes in an emergency.    

On the motorway

Both the 39kWh and 64kWh versions of the Kona Electric accelerate up to 70mph pretty swiftly. However, being more powerful, the 64kWh version feels happier cruising at the speed limit and is better able to accelerate from, say, 50-70mph in a hurry. It also has a lot more range than the 39kWh version – an official 300 miles versus 189 miles – so you’ll need to stop to recharge less often, even though range does plummet on the motorway compared to running at slower speeds.

Otherwise, the Kona Electric is a perfectly pleasant car to do a long journey in. It’s quiet, gives a smooth ride, feels safe and stable. All models have adaptive cruise control to help take the strain off. Spend a long day in the car and you should feel none the worse for it.

On a twisty road

The Kona Electric behaves as you’d expect a small electric SUV to on a twisty road. It goes where you point the steering, the body barely leans over in corners, it’s settled over bumps, and has the power to overtake tractors easily. Only the sheer power of the 64kWh can cause some issues because the front wheels can writhe around if you’re too heavy-footed on the throttle. Most of the time it won’t be an issue, though.

It’s a pleasant, relaxing car to cruise along in, taking in the countryside. But there’s no fun to be had – not that there is in any of the alternatives, either. If you really enjoy driving, right now you’re still better off with a petrol-powered alternative like the Ford Puma.