Hyundai Kona Electric – smaller battery, lower prices

Hyundai Kona EV – The first question usually asked about an all-electric vehicle is how long is the range. A better question would be “How are you going to use the vehicle”.

Hyundai Kona Electric

Every car has some compromises. A small car while typically cheaper to own has less room for passengers and luggage. A large car can perform better but is harder to park and is usually more expensive.

By reducing the size of the battery Hyundai has now released a cheaper model of the electric version of its Kona small SUV. The compromise is that its range is 305 kilometres still better than many other models.  But the average car in Australia covers only 270 km a week so the Kona could suit many situations on one weekly charge.

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It’s still not a low-priced vehicle with the base model Elite at $54,500 plus on roads. The extended range model will cost an extra $6,000.

The Standard Range 39.2kWh battery versions will continue to deliver Kona Electric’s renowned instant acceleration through a 100kW permanent-magnet synchronous motor, delivering 395Nm of torque.

Hyundai compiled information on some of its competitors saying that the “Kona Electric Standard Range powertrain has the highest torque output, with longest real-world driving range and battery efficiency, versus its direct competitors”.

ModelKona Electric

Standard Range

MG ZS EVNissan Leaf

(40kW)

Mazda MX-30 Electric
SegmentSUV SmallSUV SmallPassenger SmallSUV Small
MLP$54,500 / $58,000$41,990$49,990$65,490
Battery39.2 kWh44.5 kWh40 kWh35.5 kWh
Power100 kW105 kW110 kW107 kW
Torque395 Nm353 Nm320 Nm271 Nm
WLTP Range305 km263 km270 km200 km

Hyundai iCare offers a comprehensive suite of owner benefits including; Lifetime Service Plan, 5 Year Unlimited Km Warranty, complimentary Roadside Assist for 12 months on new vehicles, 1,500km complimentary first service, a dedicated Customer Care Centre, and myHyundai – an exclusive owner website. When servicing with Hyundai, customers will also receive a Roadside Support Plan for up to 10 years, a 10 Year Sat Nav Update Plan, and more.

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About David Brown 607 Articles
David’s boyhood passion for motor cars did not immediately lead to a professional role in the motor industry. A qualified Civil Engineer he specialised in traffic engineering and transport planning. What followed were various positions including being seconded to a government think-tank for the planning of transport firstly in Sydney and then for the whole of NSW. After working with the NRMA and as a consultant he moved to being an independent writer and commentator on the broader areas of transport and the more specific areas of the cars we drive. His half hour motoring program “Overdrive” has been described as an “informed, humorous and irreverent look at motoring and transport from Australia and overseas”. It is heard on 22 stations across Australia. He does weekly interviews with several ABC radio stations and is also heard on commercial radio in Sydney. David has written for metropolitan and regional newspapers and has presented regular segments on metropolitan and regional television stations. David is also a contributor for AnyAuto