Summary
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a compact battery-powered family SUV that directly rivals the Kia Niro EV and Volkswagen ID.3. This is the second-generation version, which became available to order in the UK in Autumn 2023.
Unlike the former SUV range, this new Kona model has been designed as an electric car first, and then adapted to offer petrol and petrol-electric hybrid options afterwards. We have assessed those combustion-powered versions separately.
Its predecessor was highly regarded by the British motoring media and a tough act to follow, but reviewers agree that the new model is a significant improvement.
The Carbuyer team notes that Hyundai has “clearly listened to customer feedback” by increasing interior space and making the family car feel “more grown-up inside” by installing plush cabin materials and a suite of the brand’s latest infotainment and driving assistance technology.
Like the similar Kia Niro EV, reviewers conclude that the car’s electric powertrain is a key highlight. With a battery range that will exceed 300 miles (according to official lab testing procedures), Driving Electric notes that the Kona Electric can travel further than many of its compact SUV rivals.
Top-spec trims can get quite expensive, and outlets also report that some rivals have faster charging speeds. “It’s a shame it’s not a little more exciting to drive”, adds Car‘s CJ Hubbard, “but we imagine most buyers will be happy to trade this for the additional space. The tech you can get really is quite impressive for this class, too.”
As of January 2025, the Hyundai Kona Electric holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 74%. It get points for having zero tailpipe emissions, while its media and safety scores are good (although not as good as some of its rivals). However, we don’t yet have running cost data and the Kona Electric is too new to have a reliability score. Check back again soon.
- Hyundai Kona (petrol and hybrid versions) – Expert Rating
- Hyundai Kona Electric (2018 to 2023) – Expert Rating
- More Hyundai ratings, reviews, news and features
Kona Electric highlights
- Impressive electric range
- Practical and well-built interior
- Extensive equipment list as standard
Kona Electric lowlights
- Range gets expensive towards the top
- Poor charging speeds for rapid charging network
- Alternatives are more fun to drive
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £34,995 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Hyundai Kona Electric feels more grown up than before but adds in some Ioniq-based charm to help it stand out. Couple this with a segment-leading powertrain, all the technology you could need and extra practicality and it’s easy to see why it’s a winner. The price tag of this smaller battery model only adds to the Kona‘s broad appeal.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Ultimate 65kWh
Score: 8 / 10
“The biggest asset of the Hyundai Kona Electric’s chassis is ride comfort, which is impressive, the suspension doing a very good job of absorbing bumps and potholes. Handling-wise, although things get a bit roly-poly under hard cornering and braking it can still be fun to drive once you’re used to this, and underlying grip levels are good. The steering is unfeelsome but precise enough. Perhaps the biggest snag with the driving experience is that the various assistance systems can be annoyingly intrusive.”
Author: Sean Keywood
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s a shame the Hyundai Kona Electric isn’t a little more exciting to drive, but we imagine most buyers will be happy to trade this for the additional space and the sheer good sense exhibited by the interior design.”
Author: CJ Hubbard
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The latest Hyundai Kona Electric is more spacious, refined and upmarket than its predecessor, making it a serious contender for the small SUV throne.”
Author: Ellis Hyde, Andy Goodwin
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Hyundai’s electric small SUV gets a cutting-edge new look for its second generation.”
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“As futuristic as it is family-friendly, the second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric moves the game on from its predecessor in almost every respect.”
Author: Tome Jervis, John McIlroy
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“We’ve always been big fans of the Hyundai Kona Electric, thanks to its real-world efficiency and practicality. But rivals caught up, and technology moves fast in the electric car world. So Hyundai has moved the game on again, with a new Kona with upgrades just about everywhere. It feels more spacious and is a real step forward in terms of quality and technology.”
Author: Ginny Buckley
Read review
Green Car Guide
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Hyundai Kona Electric has grown in size, but the key selling points of the previous model remain: a practical range (up to 319 miles), and competitive pricing.”
Author: Paul Clarke
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Hyundai Kona Electric isn’t the most exciting thing on four wheels, but you detect the effort that’s gone into this small electric SUV very easily. Anyone upgrading from the previous version is going to be pleasantly surprised, we reckon.”
Author: CJ Hubbard
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview (including petrol and hybrid models)
Score: 9 / 10
“It whirrs around town in near silence, providing no audible thumps and bangs whatsoever from the suspension, with super-smooth ride quality to match.”
Author: Matt Robinson
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Hyundai Kona Electric is just as competent as before, but with more of all the good stuff. Well done Hyundai.”
Author: Greg Potts
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 80%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 60%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the Hyundai Kona Electric has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Kona Electric is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Hyundai Kona Electric to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the Kona Electric, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of January 2025, we don’t have independently verified data available for the latest iteration of the Hyundai Kona Electric. Check back again soon.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Hyundai Kona Electric has received.
2023
- Auto Express Awards – Car of the Year (full Kona range)
- The Car Expert Awards – Best Small SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Hyundai Kona Electric, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Audi Q4 e-tron | Citroën ë-C4 | DS 3 E-Tense | Honda e:Ny1 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Jeep Avenger | Kia Niro EV | Kia EV6 | Kia Soul EV | Mazda MX-30 | MG ZS EV | Nissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Vauxhall Mokka Electric | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo XC40 Recharge
- Hyundai Kona Electric (2018 to 2023) – Expert Rating
- More Hyundai ratings, reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Hyundai Kona Electric at The Car Expert
Buy a Hyundai Kona Electric
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Hyundai Kona Electric, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a Hyundai Kona Electric
If you’re looking to lease a new Hyundai Kona Electric, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Hyundai Kona Electric
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
Find out more
Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
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Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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