Electric vehicles aren’t cheap. The average price of an electric vehicle will reach around $56,371 by June 2024, according to Kelly Blue Book. It’s no wonder that cost is one of the main reasons American car buyers are still hesitant to purchase an electric vehicle for their next vehicle.
But there is an antidote to concerns about the high cost of electric vehicles. After driving a Hyundai Kona Electric in Limited trim for a week, I'm convinced it's the perfect EV to get started with.
This charming subcompact SUV doesn’t skimp on features either, making it one of the best affordable EVs on the market, which I’ll review in detail below. Not only is it cheaper than many other sedan-style EVs I’ve driven, like the Lucid Air Pure, but you also get the added utility of a larger trunk space that can be used to haul larger payloads.
Better yet, I know the Hyundai Kona Electric can fit into many lifestyles, whether you're a family of four, a student finishing up school, or a retiree focusing on projects around the house. Either way, the value the Kona Electric offers makes this EV accessible to any budget.
Hyundai Kona Electric 2024: Advantages
Exceptional efficiency
One of the ways I rate an electric vehicle is its efficiency. While the Kona Electric Limited has an EPA-estimated range of 200 miles from its 64.8 kWh battery, I was surprised that it delivered above-average efficiency during my week of driving. Just because an EV is rated for a certain amount doesn't mean the vehicle can't exceed it, which the Kona Electric happily proves to me.
I drove a total of 271.1 miles during my test drive, which included a couple of nightly Level 1 charges and a Level 3 charge at a station. But the most interesting part of all this was the 4.5 mpg/kWh efficiency I was getting. If the Kona Electric were able to maintain that efficiency with a fully charged battery, that would translate to a range of 291.6 miles. By comparison, the Cadillac Lyriq I drove for a week achieved an efficiency of 2.7 mpg/kWh. That’s a huge difference because the Lyriq has a 102 kWh battery. Better efficiency means you get more out of the battery.
Includes blind spot cameras
Blind-spot sensors are standard on all electric vehicles, but blind-spot cameras are often reserved for more expensive and luxurious models. That’s why I’m surprised that the Kona Electric comes with blind-spot cameras that show me a preview of my blind spots right on the dashboard screen. It’s helpful because it doesn’t distract me too much from the road ahead.
Air vent dedicated to rear passengers
Another feature often reserved for more expensive EVs is a dedicated air conditioning vent for rear passengers. I was shocked to find one on the Kona Electric, which is integrated into the back of the center armrest between the front and passenger seats. A dedicated vent allows fresh air to circulate quickly to the rear seats, rather than waiting for the climate control system to circulate it from the front vents.
Intense headlights
In addition to the LED light strip that runs almost the entire length of the front hood, I was even more impressed by the intensity of the LED headlights. They are among the brightest I've seen on an electric vehicle so far, making the road appear to be in complete darkness in broad daylight.
I thought the Ford F150 Lighting's headlights were blinding because of their height compared to other vehicles, but the Kona Electric's headlights are much brighter.
Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto
There are still EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 that require wired connections to access CarPlay or Android Auto. This sedan-style EV costs more than the Kona Electric, which is why I'm surprised the latter vehicle offers wireless connectivity for those infotainment systems.
I just didn't think the Kona Electric would offer wireless connectivity for something this affordable, but it does — and it's the kind of convenience I greatly appreciate since the system automatically connects to my phone while this device is still in my pocket.
Affordable starting cost
And finally, the best part about the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric is its affordable starting price. While the Limited trim costs $41,000, you can save extra money by opting for the $32,675 SE trim, which technically has a range of less than 200 miles. But if you want a compromise, the SEL trim sits in between at $36,675 and still achieves the same EPA-estimated range of 261 miles, just like the Limited trim. These prices make electric vehicles much more accessible, all without putting too much strain on your budget.
Hyundai Kona Electric 2024: Disadvantages
Limited legroom in the back
The driver and front passenger seats are spacious, but I can't say the same for the second row, as there is very little legroom, especially if the front seats are pushed all the way back. While small children can easily sit in the back seats, I can't say the same for teenagers or adults who have to sit there. For long trips, the limited legroom will definitely not help the journey.
Weaker recovery with acceleration
Because of its 150 kW (201 hp) electric motor, the Kona Electric-equipped pickup's acceleration is weaker than other EVs I've driven, such as the Genesis GV60 I tested. Even though I drove in Eco mode most of the time, I still didn't feel like the acceleration was strong enough in Sport mode. You're definitely sacrificing power with the Kona Electric, but that's the tradeoff for being an affordable EV.