All-new second-generation crossover gets distinctive new looks and bigger range
The electric crossover market is a bit like Broadway: there are plenty of options to choose from and lots of competition. And now entering stage left is the second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric, which is aiming to be the next showstopper in the burgeoning C-segment EV class.For the second generation of its popular crossover, the carmaker has developed the Hyundai Kona as an EV first, and the petrol and hybrid versions afterwards. Focusing on the BEV model first makes sense, because it accounted for 40% of European sales of the outgoing Kona, and that’s expected to rise to 60% for the new one.The biggest difference compared to its predecessor is how much the new car has grown: it is 145mm longer than before, making it closer in size to the related and hugely popular Kia Niro EV. You really notice the new Kona Electric’s extra size. There’s more space in the cabin and plenty of room for six-footers to get comfortable in the back. You also get up to 144 litres more boot space than before, which is the same as the petrol and hybrid models. Hyundai has also made the most of the extra space by moving the drive selector from the centre console to a stalk behind the steering wheel, freeing up storage space in the centre console.While the interior certainly looks a lot snazzier than the previous generation’s, it still has some disappointing elements. A clear example is the use of scratchy plastics on the tops of the doors where you rest your elbow; the Kia Niro EV and quirky BYD Atto 3 are better appointed. That being said, the two curved 12.3in displays are ultra-modern and easy to use, too. The touchscreen could be a little more responsive, but we’re being picky here. And there are loads of tactile physical buttons under the touchscreen that make switching between menus and adjusting the climate control much easier. The head-up display is excellent too.Visibility is good all round and the driving position is exactly what you would expect of a car of this size. Road and wind noise are kept well at bay, too. In terms of the line-up Hyundai has kept things simple: you can get a Standard Range model with a 154bhp motor and 48.8kWh battery, or the Long Range variant, which gets a larger 65.4kWh battery and 214bhp motor.We’ve already driven the Standard Range model, which offers a WLTP range of up to 234 miles, so our attention here is on the Long Range car. It can do an impressive 319 miles on a single charge, which is a useful step ahead of the 285-mile Niro EV, and the 261-mile BYD Atto 3. Both variants of the new Kona Electric can charge at up to 102kW. That should allow for a 10-80% charge of the bigger battery in around 40 minutes. It’s faster than the Kia Niro, the old Kona and the BYD Atto 3, but rather sluggish compared to a Cupra Born or Smart #1.On a route which included a mix of both urban and rural driving – our Long Range test car managed 4.0mpkWh. Considering its rivals can achieve similar returns, that figure puts the Kona EV well into the electric crossover battleground.Off the mark you get the instant response you expect from an EV, and on the move it has plenty of gusto for a family car. It’s by no means quick, but the acceleration is there should you call upon it.One bugbear is the steering. The nose is easy to point down a round and it feels predictable, but there isn’t much feedback through the wheel. And despite the weight of the batteries sitting low-down in the Kona EV’s chassis, there’s a fair amount of body lean, even around mid-speed bends.Nevertheless, there’s plenty of grip, and it flows well enough down a rural road. The Kona is pliant on smoother surfaces, and while there’s an underlying firmness, it copes with bumps and potholes fairly well. There is the odd fidget here and there at higher speeds.Prices for the new Kona Electric start at £34,995 for the Standard Range car, which comes only in the entry-level Advance trim. The Kona Long Range costs only £3600 more, at £38,595. That’s only slightly dearer than the Kia Niro EV, which has a shorter range and lacks the Kona’s standard-fit heat pump. The BYD Atto 3 is cheaper, too, at £37,695, but its range and driving experience are not as mature as the Kona’s. The Long Range Model will likely be the choice of many prospective Kona Electric buyers. While it might not move the game on, it significantly improves on its predecessor and will be hard for EV buyers to overlook – and not just because of its larger size.
