By Ian Strachan.
The Hyundai Kona benefited from more space, more technology and more equipment when it launched the second generation of this small SUV. Now it is available as a fully electric vehicle and is already picking up awards.
The Kona Electric is setting new standards in safety and environmental performance. Plus you get some smart design features and the latest Kona is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor.
I tested the Kona Electric in Ultimate specification with a 65kW battery capable of giving you up to 319 miles range as long as you are light-footed and don’t switch on the heater. This unit gives you 218PS, with fast-charging options to take advantage of newer, faster charging points. I particularly like the easily-accessible front-mounted charging point which means you’re not dragging heavy charging cables across your paintwork.
The latest Kona is an attractive alternative in the SUV B-segment, with sleek, eye-catching design and a comfortable interior. The front end design takes full advantage of the fact that it needs no radiator grille, with front full-width horizon daytime running lights and a low-slung black hatched grille.
The exterior design is further aided by smart 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light.
The host of safety features on the Kona includes blind spot monitoring with cameras, forward collision avoidance assist, intelligent speed limit warnings, parking and reverse parking collision warnings, rear cross traffic alerts and lane keep assist. In fact my only criticism of this excellent SUV – and Hyundai is far from alone here – is the cacophony of warning beeps and alerts which accompany your journey. All well-meaning, but these noises can be a distraction in themselves. They can be switched off but you have to do it before every journey.
The interior of the Kona is light, pleasant and spacious. Load carrying capacity has been imporved and gives you 466 litres of space which can be increased still further by dropping down the 60/40 split rear seats, which also gives you a flat loading floor.
Equipment is impressive, with remote central locking, electric sunroof, climate control, all-round electric windows, electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated leather-faced front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel, rain sensing wipers, powered tailgate, automatic headlights, interior ambient lighting, front and rear parking sensors with rear camera and surround view monitor, smart cruise control, BOSE premium seven-speaker sound system, Bluetooth and voice recognition and DAB radio, wireless phone charger and a navigation system via a 10.25 inch touchscreen.
The Kona Electric Ultimate hybrid comes in at £43,095. The Kona Electric range starts at £34,995.
This being a Hyundai, it comes with their five year unlimited mileage warranty. This is a great peace-of-mind package which, sooner or later, all manufacturers are going to have to match or exceed.
I enjoyed this electric Kona, which moves this ambitious Korean brand further up the SUV choice lists.
