New Hyundai Kona Electric – 64 kWh, 470 km range EV

The promised electric-powered Kona has arrived. The Hyundai Kona Electric is a battery-powered EV version of the compact crossover that first surfaced in June 2017. It’s the first full-electric compact SUV in Europe and is only available in the continent for now.

Interestingly, the new Hyundai Kona Electric comes with two powertrain options. The long-range 64 kWh battery version provides driving range of up to 470 km, delivering a maximum output of 204 PS. The basic version comes with a 39.2 kWh battery, which gives it up to 300 km range on a single charge and 135 PS. Both have 395 Nm of immediate torque and a top speed of 167 km/h. Zero-100 km/h acceleration is 7.6 and 9.3 seconds, respectively. That’s a decent set of figures for what will be an inexpensive EV.

Charging the lithium-ion polymer battery up to 80% takes about 54 minutes using a 100 kW DC (CCS) fast charger. With the 7.2 kW on-board-charger, charging with AC (Type 2) takes nine hours 40 minutes for the bigger battery pack and six hours 10 minutes for the shorter-range battery pack.

Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box). The charging port is next to the front Hyundai logo.

The Kona Electric has a shift-by-wire operation module which enables what Hyundai calls an intuitive operation of the electric powertrain. It enables operation of the car simply by pressing buttons to switch driving modes. Eliminating the routing space required for housing the mechanical linkages between a normal shifter and the transmission provides additional storage space.

The adjustable regenerative braking system allows the driver to adjust the intensity of the regenerative braking by using the steering paddle shifters.

This EV has the same funky looks as the standard Kona, but there’s a key design differentiator in the closed grille, which enhances aerodynamics. The Electric rides on unique 17-inch alloys.

At 1,570 mm, the Kona Electric is 20 mm taller than the regular car, and its 4,180 mm overall length is 15 mm longer. The SUV is relatively wide at 1,800 mm and the wheelbase is 2,600 mm long. Luggage space is 332 litres including storage of the charging cable (or 373 litres without). The Kona was designed with an EV version in mind, so there’s no space compromise.

Hyundai has thrown all available driver assist tech at the EV. Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning including Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, Driver Attention Warning and Intelligent Speed Limit Warning are all available; along with goodies such as a Krell audio system, head-up display and wireless phone charging.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.