Used Hyundai Kona Electric cars

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a small electric SUV that’s great if you live in a town or city. It’s comfortable over speed humps and potholes, easy to park and gives you nippy acceleration. It also has space for four and you get lots of useful standard features.

The Kona Electric has been sold new since 2018 when it was launched as the battery-powered version of Hyundai’s second-smallest SUV. You can easily tell the difference between a Kona Electric and other Kona models because they have different front-end styling details, particularly on the grille. The range was updated in 2020 with a new front bumper and a new infotainment system with a bigger screen.

You can choose between two battery packs that give you different mileage ranges. The lower-capacity 39kWh battery can give you a range of up to 180 miles when fully charged, and the bigger 64kWh battery can give up to 279 miles. The bigger battery also gives noticeably quicker acceleration when getting up to motorway speeds.

All models are front-wheel drive only, and there are several trim levels to choose from. On cars sold new from 2018 to 2020 they’re called SE, Premium and Premium SE. On cars sold new from 2020 they’re called SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate.

All Kona models are very well equipped with useful features including a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for your smartphone.

SE and SE Connect models also have climate control, adaptive cruise control and rear parking sensors, as well as a reversing camera for easier manoeuvring. Premium models add built-in sat nav and a wireless phone charging pad, and Premium SE and Ultimate models have heated and ventilated, electrically adjustable leather seats that can either heat you up or cool you down depending on the weather.

Those top-spec models also have a head-up display that projects driving information onto a small pop-up screen at the bottom of the windscreen.

How far the Kona Electric can go on a full charge depends on which battery is inside. Models with the smaller 39kWh battery can go up to 180 miles and take about six hours to recharge at home from a wallbox charger. Models with the bigger 64kWh battery can travel up to 279 miles and take around nine hours to recharge at home, but could take less than an hour using a public 100kW rapid charger.

Considering how much standard equipment you get, the Kona is pretty good value compared to other cars of this type. Because it’s a fully electric car, you don’t have to pay any Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax).

You may want to consider other electric small SUVs like the MG ZS EV and the Kia e-Niro, or electric hatchbacks like the Renault Zoe. Compared to the Hyundai, the MG and Kia are more practical family cars and the Renault costs less to buy. But the Kona’s distinctive styling, generous levels of standard equipment and its comfortable ride hold a lot of appeal.