2020 Hyundai Kona Electric Review

Name: 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric
Brand: Hyundai

Price Range: $16,990 - $17,590

Hyundai Kona Electric Ultimate 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Great

8.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2020 Kona Electric offers segment-leading electric range, a competitive price, an attractive interior, and a generous list of standard equipment. It's also quick, nimble and fun to drive. It's one of the best EVs out right now.

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Average price: $17,094

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Appraise My 2020 Hyundai

Hyundai Kona Electric model years

Hyundai Kona Electric for Sale

Pros

Long driving range of 258 miles
Quick acceleration and sharp handling make it fun to drive
Comfortable and quiet cabin
Plenty of standard tech features

Cons

Tight rear legroom
Availability limited to just a few states

What's new

Bigger optional infotainment display
New battery warmer feature for Limited and Ultimate trims
Based on the first Kona generation introduced for 2018

Overview

Written by automotive expert Brent Romans

Updated: 11/24/2020

Be prepared for a lot of blank stares and "What's that?" comments if you buy a 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric. Just about everybody knows Tesla. But tell your friends you just bought a Kona Electric and they'll likely look at you like you just gave them directions to the bathroom in Punjabi.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

9 listings

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2020 Hyundai Kona Electric
Limited 4dr SUV
$14,999
- 53,758 miles
- 258 mi range
- 235 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Raleigh, NC
Listing Information:
VIN:
KM8K33AG9LU090173
Stock:
090173
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
2020 Hyundai Kona Electric
Ultimate 4dr SUV
$21,850
fair price
$670 above market
- 14,755 miles
- 258 mi range
- 261 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Hudson, OH
***** SPECIAL OF THE MONTH ****270+ Miles Per Charge !! One Of The BEST With All Imaginable Luxury Options !!! Navigation ** Leather Seats ** Blind ...
Listing Information:
VIN:
KM8K53AG0LU059369
Stock:
HYU6677
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
11-12-2022

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This situation won't be because of your communication skills. Rather, the disconnect is because the Kona Electric is a relatively new and unknown Hyundai model. Hyundai introduced the Kona for the 2018 model year and followed up with the all-electric version last year. More awareness is sure to come, however, because the Kona Electric is one of the best EVs on the market.

Everything you need is here. There's 258 miles of range, standard fast-charging capability, and plenty of technology and safety features. You'll also like the way it drives. The Kona Electric accelerates with pleasing zip and hunkers down in turns. It's fun in a way you wouldn't expect an electric vehicle to be.

Downsides? Well, subjectively, you might find the Kona's busy styling hard to love. But objectively there's really just one big con here: interior space. The small back seat and cargo area limit the Kona's usefulness as a heavy-use family vehicle. And we suppose you might eventually get tired of explaining to your friends what you bought. But overcome these hitches and you'll have yourself a great little EV.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.1

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the Kona Electric drive? The Kona Electric feels more like an electric performance hatchback than the crossover SUV it's marketed as. It gets going in a hurry, merges onto freeways easily, and has no trouble on steep grades. We measured a spirited 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds at our test track.

The Kona Electric also changes direction readily and feels steady and composed around turns. It's fun to drive, even if the eco-minded tires don't offer a whole lot of grip. For more casual driving, the Kona Electric is smooth and easy to drive. We also like that the regenerative braking system has three selectable levels. You can easily pick one to suit your personal preference or driving situation by using the steering wheel-mounted paddles. Pulling and then holding the left paddle also brings up even stronger regenerative braking that you can use to come to a complete stop.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the Kona Electric? The Kona Electric rides with a poise not usually found in this class of car. The low-slung mass of the battery and sophisticated rear suspension design help settle the car's motions when you drive over bumps. We also like the Kona's comfortable and supportive front seats. In back, the seat bottom is a bit flat, but the seatback angle is comfortable.

The electric motor is silent at all speeds, and wind and road noise is not evident when cruising the highway. As of 2019, all electric vehicles must emit a low-speed pedestrian alert sound, and you can hear the Kona's inside the car until it fades at about 18 mph. Some of our editors liked the spacey sound. Others hated it.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? Most of the Kona Electric's interior is like the regular Kona's. The Electric's center console is more prominent, and the controls are laid out a little differently. But they are attractive and easy to use. Similar functions are grouped together, and learning how to operate the infotainment interface is intuitive.

There's plenty of head- and legroom up front, and the cabin feels airy despite a center console that takes up some space. The rear seat isn't as accommodating. The seat area is wide, and there's a decent amount of headroom, but legroom is tight if the driver's seat is set back much beyond the middle of its sliding range.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The infotainment system's graphics look dated and boring, but don't let that fool you. It is a well-designed and easy-to-use system thanks to prominent volume and tuning knobs, shortcut buttons around the screen's perimeter, and logical virtual buttons on the responsive touchscreen. The available Infinity audio system produces impressive sound quality.

As for the Kona Electric's driving aids, the base SEL comes standard with just about everything. The top Ultimate trim has a more sophisticated adaptive cruise system that works in stop-and-go traffic. Overall, these systems work effectively and aren't overly intrusive.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? The Kona's cargo area behind the rear seats is not the biggest we've seen, but it's usefully shaped. Luggage laid lengthwise fits easily behind the rear seats. Up front, the Kona Electric has a suitable amount of storage space for small items such as phones and water bottles.

This EV isn't a great choice if you have small children. The rear safety seat anchors are easy to access, and the door opening is big enough not to cause any problems. But the lack of rear cabin space means bulky rear-facing infant seats won't fit without sliding a front seat forward significantly.

Range and Efficiency

9/10

How are the range and efficiency? The Hyundai Kona Electric is EPA-rated to deliver 258 miles of range, which is right at the top in the affordable EV class. We tested it out in the real world and it delivers that, and then some. In Edmunds' EV range test, we saw 315 miles of range, which outperforms the second-best Kia Niro by 30 miles.

The EPA estimates the Kona Electric will consume 27 kilowatt-hours of electricity for every 100 miles driven, but it our testing the Kona was far more efficient, using only 22.3 kWh per 100 miles. It's not the most efficient vehicle in the class, but it's close to it.

Value

9/10

Is the Kona Electric a good value? The Kona Electric is built to a higher standard than a regular Kona, and that difference shows up most on the inside. The panels fit together well, the materials are nice-looking, and the buttons and knobs feel well made. Sure, it isn't built to a luxury standard, but it's quite pleasing.

The Kona is strong on value too. You get a lot of standard safety and technology features for what you pay. Then there's Hyundai's strong warranty coverage: five years/60,000 miles for the overall vehicle, 10 years/10,000 miles for the powertrain (including the battery), and three years of free scheduled maintenance.

The Kona comes with a 7.2-kW onboard charger can be fully charged from an empty battery in about nine-and-a-half hours from a proper 240-volt wall unit. It also has a listed DC fast-charging capability of up to 100 kW, though in our testing it never peaked higher than around 75 kW.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The Kona's rounded nose and gray wheel-arch body cladding may provoke debate, but this EV is a lot more entertaining to drive than we expected based on its crossover categorization. It has the proportions, power and poise of a performance hatchback. And 258 miles of range is enough that you can largely forget about how it's powered and just enjoy driving it.

2020 Hyundai Kona Electric trim level differences

The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric comes in three trim levels: SEL, Limited and Ultimate. All have a 64-kWh battery pack that powers a 150-kW electric motor (201 horsepower, 291 lb-ft of torque) driving the front wheels. Standard equipment is generous on the SEL, and moving up to the Limited or the Ultimate gains you a few extra luxury and tech-oriented features. Compare the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric trim levels in-depth.

Which Kona Electric trim does Edmunds recommend?

Picking a Kona Electric trim level comes down to how many extra features you want and how much you can afford. You won't be disappointed by sticking with the base SEL, though. It has enough safety and technology features to keep you satisfied.

2020 Hyundai Kona Electric EV Insights

Trim:

Kona Electric SEL

Estimated Range Based on Age

edmunds TESTED

280 miles

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 280 miles.

Estimated range mapfrom

Charging

SAE Combo

Plug Type

9 hrs

240V Home Charging

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

10 yrs or 100,000 miles

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 4 years or 16,000 miles for this car.

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Cost to Drive

$61/mo

Kona Electric

$210/mo

SUV Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
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Reliability

The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

3 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 21V127000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 200
Number of vehicles affected:: 4696
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
Defect Consequence:: An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Hyundai will notify owners, and as an interim action, owners have the option to follow provided instructions to perform a battery update through the vehicle's infotainment system or request a Hyundai dealer to provide the update. Once parts are available, dealers will replace the Battery System Assembly (BSA). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the interim repair is complete. The recall is expected to begin April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 200.

Recall Number:: 20V748000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 199
Number of vehicles affected:: 8176
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking performance.
Defect Consequence:: Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the IEB software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 199.

Recall Number:: 20V630000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 196
Number of vehicles affected:: 6707
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit after it is fully charged.
Defect Consequence:: An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the Battery Management System (BMS) software and inspect the Li-ion battery, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. The recall is expected to begin December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 196.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
EV battery Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Hyundai Kona Electric Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.8

25 reviews

5(84%)

4(12%)

3(0%)

2(4%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2020 Kona Electric Features & Specs

Trim:

SEL

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$37,190
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	258 miles
Cost to Drive	$61/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	9.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	10 years / 100,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Kona Electric models:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
Driver Attention Warning: Uses sensors to determine if the driver is becoming fatigued, then triggers an alert with a suggestion to stop for a rest.
Blind-Spot Collision Warning: Alerts the driver with a warning if a vehicle is lurking in the blind spot and the turn signal is activated in that direction.

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