Hyundai Kona EV

The redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric is ready to shine as an affordable-electric-vehicle alternative now that two of the most affordable electric cars in recent years, the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, have temporarily been discontinued. I took a brief drive in the Kona Electric, which starts at $34,050 (all prices include destination), during the Midwest Automotive Media Association’s 2024 Spring Rally in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., to see what it’s like to drive one of the most affordable EVs out there.

Related: Read More About the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric

Right off the bat, know that its rock-bottom price comes with an asterisk, because the entry-level Kona Electric SE has less EV driving range, battery capacity and power versus the pricier SEL and Limited trim levels. I drove the top Limited trim level that, in addition to more power and EPA-rated driving range, for $42,420, is loaded with such niceties as a power moonroof, hands-free power liftgate, simulated-leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system, a 360-degree camera system and wireless charging. Current incentives, however, help make out-the-door pricing much more competitive.

Easy to Use

In all Kona Electrics, what stands out most is just how normal it is to use and drive. With physical buttons for climate control, a traditional instrument panel with digital gauges in front of you and an easy-to-use multimedia user interface, there’s no learning curve with the Kona Electric. And that’s not the norm, because most EVs differentiate themselves by offering unique controls and display experiences, often to the detriment of usability.

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How It Drives

On the road, the front-wheel-drive Kona Electric is a joy to drive, with a surprisingly composed and comfortable ride for its small stature — which by today’s standards is subcompact in exterior dimensions, though a decade ago, this could very well have been considered a compact SUV. Wind and road noise is also well managed for a small SUV, showcasing an experience that feels a class above its size.

All 2024 Kona EVs come with 17-inch alloy wheels. That may seem small compared with most plus-sized wheels on many newer cars, but I appreciate the wheel choice from the perspective of ride quality as well as driving range because larger tire sidewall helps with ride comfort, while larger wheels can make a big dent in an EV’s driving range.

Further testing of the Kona Electric’s range, efficiency and charging will come during a later test when we have the Kona Electric for more time.

Interior

The Kona EV is surprisingly roomy and has no-nonsense technology including two well-designed 12.3-inch displays for the center touchscreen and digital instrument panel, which makes for a compelling budget-minded EV at its $34,050 starting price. You can also buy an adapter for the charge port called vehicle-to-load that allows you to plug in household AC devices to the Kona Electric and use the large capacity battery to power things like home appliances during an electrical outage or recreational devices while camping or working/playing outside.

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The cabin is roomy enough on the inside, both the front and rear seat, for my 6-foot-tall frame thanks to increased dimensions versus the outgoing Kona EV. I was pleasantly surprised to see rear climate vents in the back console (found on SEL and Limited trims), which is typically a feature seen on larger SUVs. Rear climate vents are great when you have to carry kids in the back and can point the air vents their way, and it’s even more impressive to see these on the Kona Electric because Hyundai’s other electric SUV, the 2024 Ioniq 5, restricts this feature to its top Limited trim level, which is $12,455 more than the Kona Electric’s top Limited trim level.

What You Don’t Get

What you don’t get is the availability of all-wheel drive because the Kona Electric is FWD only. The Kona’s 201 horsepower in SEL and Limited trims is passable but hardly as much power as you can get in dedicated EVs (the Kona is also available with gas engines). There’s definitely more function than fun in how the Kona Electric drives, though its 261 miles of EPA-rated range is plenty enough for those seeking an around-town commuter and is more than what other affordable EVs like the 2024 Nissan Leaf (maximum 212 miles) and 2024 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop (114 miles) offer.

Versus the Competition

What’s disappointing for thrifty EV shoppers is that the 2024 Kona Electric’s base retail price is $5,255 more expensive than the outgoing 2023 Bolt EUV, and the Kona EV doesn’t qualify for the federal $7,500 tax credit on purchases, though leases can use that incentive to lower the overall amount.

The only EVs that are less expensive than the Kona Electric — the Leaf and Cooper SE Hardtop — have serious caveats besides modest driving range: The Leaf uses a dated CHAdeMO connector for DC fast charging, and the Cooper SE Hardtop’s two doors limit its usability. Granted, the Kona Electric that’s most appealing starts at $38,050. If you’re looking at this SEL trim level, it’s not the cars that are less expensive than the Kona Electric that you should be considering, but the EVs that are more expensive because there are some good ones.

A rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y Long Range can potentially cost less than $40,000 for buyers who qualify for the federal tax credit, while the Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan with its quick DC fast-charging capability can also come under $40,000 without any tax credit (and there are cash-back incentives available on the Ioniq 6). Considering those cars and their superior DC fast-charging capabilities and performance, the Kona EV doesn’t look great when its price climbs near $40,000.

At the time of publishing, there are deep discounts available on the Kona Electric that make the more expensive and capable versions very appealing, including $7,500 cash rebates and low lease rates that can lower a Kona Electric SEL to just over $30,000. These discounts are what bring the Kona EV into the chat, especially considering the 2024 Kona Electric’s expanded availability to nearly 50 states (except Wyoming and South Dakota) and how easy it is to use and drive.

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• 2024 Hyundai Kona: Updated Performance, EV Offers Estimated 260 Miles of Range
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