- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
Perm Magnet, LI
- Engine Power
NA
- Fuel
17h 0m chg, 305km range
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Red'n Gear
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander Extended Range review
The Hyundai Kona Electric isn't the most affordable in the small SUV segment, but there's plenty to love about the Kona EV.
- Well-equipped with great standard features
- Great driving range and efficiency
- Excellent ride quality
- Falls short on rear and boot space
- Pricey for its segment
- Styling an acquired taste
Introduction
It's no secret that electric cars are expensive. But, as with any car, if it's well-equipped with great standard inclusions and high-tech features, you might just turn a blind eye at the cost. Enter the Hyundai Kona Electric.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric is a small SUV in the Korean brand's ever-growing line-up. It's not the most affordable option when you think 'small SUV', and you may not expect these prices from Hyundai. However, when we delve deeper into its offerings, a second chance could be warranted.
The one I’m testing is the Highlander Extended Range, which is the top spec out of the recently expanded four-variant Kona Electric line-up. The base spec in the Elite Standard Range starts at $54,500, while the Highlander Standard Range will set you back $60,500. In either case, the more powerful, higher battery capacity Extended Range models add $3500 to the base price – all before on-road costs and location-based buyer incentives, where applicable.
Our test model Highlander Extended Range, finished in Surfy Blue premium paint adding $595 to the price, plus the two-tone black and grey leather trim interior for an additional $295, brings the total on-test cost to $64,890 plus on-road costs.
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It’s worth noting that the Kona EV experienced a midlife facelift scoring more tech, additional range and style tweaks, which some will either love or hate. In more detail, it got a new-look front that is now closed off, body-coloured wheel arches, and an updated 17-inch alloy wheel design. More about the design later.
The interior has upgrades, too, including a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and the addition of a fully digital instrument cluster. What’s more, they managed to add 35km of driving range – now at a claimed 484km on the WLTP test cycle.
If you’re shopping for the Hyundai Kona Electric, you might also be interested in other EVs around this price bracket, such as the Tesla Model 3 with the Standard Range Plus RWD coming in at $59,900.
There’s also the option of the related Kia Niro Electric that will set you back $67,490 drive-away for the entry-grade S, or $70,990 drive-away for the up-spec Niro Sport. Also worth a mention in the small SUV class is the MG ZS EV – a cheaper option at $44,990 drive-away, albeit with a much shorter 263km driving range.
In comparison, the Kona EV isn't the most budget-friendly option. Venturing into $60K-plus pricing is a lot to spend on a small SUV, especially one that isn’t carrying a premium badge. Thankfully, Hyundai has packed it with all of the bells and whistles you’d expect if you are spending this kind of money.
In terms of standard features it gets 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation and DAB+ digital radio, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless phone charging, leather seat trim, keyless entry, push-button start and remote start (from the key fob), just to name a few.
The range-topping Highlander gains LED headlights (with adaptive high beams), LED indicators and tail-lights, front parking sensors, power adjustable front seats, heated and cooled front seats and outboard heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, the option of either a glass sunroof or contrast roof colour, auto-dimming rear-vision mirror, and a head-up display.
The exterior as mentioned has been refreshed, and you may look twice at the front as it's basically missing its mouth. Hyundai has opted to go without the grille completely this time, which personally I find quite bizarre. But as style is all about personal taste, I'll let you be the judge.
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Also up front you'll notice the charging port, while the side and rear are a little more subdued, pretty much sharing the same stylistic features as its petrol counterpart.
Hyundai claims the Extended Range 64kWh lithium-ion battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in 47 minutes on a 100kW fast charger, or 64 minutes on a 50kW charger. It can also be charged using a 7.2kW AC wall-box charger. This will take a claimed nine hours and 15 minutes – from 10 to 100 per cent.
The Kona's new Standard Range models feature a smaller 39.2kWh battery and claimed driving range of 305km. Charge times are suggested at 10 to 80 per cent in the same 47 minutes on a 100kW fast charger, or 48 minutes on a 50kW charger. A 7.2kW AC wall-box charger can charge from 10–100 per cent in six hours.
Key details | 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander Extended Range |
Price (MSRP) | $64,000 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Surfy Blue |
Options | Metallic paint – $595 Beige and grey leather trim interior – $295 |
Price as tested | $64,890 plus on-road costs |
Rivals | Kia Niro Electric | Tesla Model 3 | MG ZS EV |
Inside
Hyundai does a great job of ticking boxes in its cabins – whether it’s in the way of practicality or aesthetically, I rarely have much to complain about.
This car is no exception. The updated tech gives this cabin that extra pop, while they've made great use of the space throughout. I'll forgive them for the use of hard plastics on the doors, as in other areas there are plenty other elements to love. Soft touches on the dash, the leather seat trim and leather-appointed steering wheel give that premium edge.
The layout is uncomplicated with only a few dials throughout, as most of the features can be accessed via large buttons. This includes the push-button automatic transmission selector, which sits in the high centre console. I found its placement easily within reach, and even when parking it was only ever a quick glance for the reverse button.
Storage for a small SUV is surprising with a ton of usable space. The area I utilised the most was the additional compartment underneath the console, which is rare to find in cars of this size. There are also decent door bins with room for bottles, two cupholders, a centre console, plus an additional cubby up front that is covered.
Back seat passengers get a fold-down armrest with cupholders, plus room in the door bins for bottles, along with a storage cubby. This is where the niceties end.
Other than that, the architecture has unfortunately hampered the design, with the floor raised to fit the battery pack. This means leg room is rather compromised for larger adults, as is toe room. Head room is useable, though. While there aren't any dedicated air vents to the rear, the trade-off is heated seats.
The boot is average for its class offering 332L of cargo space and 1014L with the seats down, giving up some space for battery storage compared to the 361L/1143L figures of a petrol Kona. It comes fitted with a storage net, tyre repair kit and room for the supplied charger.
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander Extended Range | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 332L seats up / 1014L seats folded |
Length | 4205mm |
Width | 1800mm |
Height | 1570mm |
Wheelbase | 2600mm |
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Kona Electric comes fitted with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display equipped with Bluetooth, AM/FM/DAB+ radio, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and inbuilt satellite navigation. All the functions work well and the touchscreen is responsive and user-friendly. I personally prefer to be plugged into Apple CarPlay while driving, as I'm not a huge fan of the small icons of Hyundai's native system.
Using the infotainment system, you can also find charging station locations. It comes in handy, although as we had the car during Melbourne's lockdown, we didn't have the greatest experience. Most that we visited were closed during this time, so finding stations was a trickier exercise than we had initially planned.
I also tried my best to have my music playing from get-go, so that I wasn't annoyed by the odd function known as Hyundai's 'Sounds of Nature'. If an audible function isn't selected, you may find yourself wondering why noises from an outdoor cafe or waves from the ocean are lingering through the cabin. This is why.
Thankfully, the speakers are excellent with an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system fitted. There's also a wireless charge pad along with an additional two USB ports in the cabin – one up front and the other in the back row.
Safety and Technology
The Hyundai Kona Electric boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating. It's also been awarded a 10 out of 10 by Howsafeisyourcar.com.au.
Standard safety features include auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with collision assist, rear cross-traffic alert and rear auto braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, driver attention alert, safe-exit warning, and rear occupant alert.
The Highlander grade scores the addition of auto high-beam assist to go with its LED headlights, head-up display, six airbags, rear parking sensors with a distance display, plus front parking sensors.
For families, there are three top-tether child seat points on the back seat along with two ISOFIX mounting points.
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander Extended Range | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2017) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP |
Value for Money
The entire Hyundai Kona Electric range comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, along with an eight-year battery warranty. This sits in the market as the standard, but is under its sister company Kia that offers seven years. Services are once every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
As mentioned, the Kona is pricey in the small SUV segment but on par with the Kia Niro. If you're wanting more of a performance drive, then the Tesla will be your best bet, while the MG ZS EV is a more affordable option in the segment.
While it's not the leader in the way of space, it comes in strong in terms of standard features, a great drive, and packs ample safety.
At a glance | 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander Extended Range |
Warranty | Five years / unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months / 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $540 (3 years) | $1445 (5 years) |
Energy cons. (claimed) | 14.7kWh/100km |
Energy cons. (on test) | 14.9kWh/100km |
Battery size | 64kWh |
Driving
The Hyundai Kona is a comfortable and easy drive. Unfortunately, I had this car during Melbourne's lockdown, so I didn't get to take it too far out of town. However, I still managed more than enough urban and local freeway driving.
This EV packs 150kW of power and 395Nm of torque that is available on tap. Acceleration is instant with more than enough power accessible in Normal mode. There's also the option of Eco, Eco+ and Sport.
A neat aspect of the Kona Electric is the ability to adjust the levels of regenerative braking, which is controlled via paddles on the back of the steering wheel. If driving electric isn't something you're used to, then the highest level can be rather intense. But if that is to your liking, then you can set it so that you can almost refrain from the brake pedal altogether.
As it's an electric car, it's incredibly quiet with very little road noise impacting the cabin. Like most Hyundais, this one's received a local tune – the ride may be a little firmer, but that doesn't hamper its performance on sharper roads. If anything it has brilliant bump absorption and is compliant through tighter bends.
There are plenty of other elements that add to everyday convenience, including the head-up display, the heated steering wheel and heated seats – perfect for Melbourne's cold mornings – along with the large digital instrument cluster that is high-resolution and easy to read on the go.
When charging, I opted to charge up at stations as my building isn't kitted out with charging infrastructure. When using a 100kW charger it got up to 80 per cent in 45 minutes.
The Kona EV should be applauded for its punchiness and great ride and handling. On the whole, it's a pleasant and accomplished city drive.
Key details | 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander Extended Range |
Engine | Single permanent magnet synchronous motor |
Power | 150kW |
Torque | 395Nm |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | Single-speed reduction gear |
Power to weight ratio | 86.1kW/t |
Weight | 1743kg |
Turning circle | 10.4m |
Conclusion
The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric scores points in my eyes for not straying far from its petrol counterpart. It's familiar, in a good way.
While there's no doubting this option isn't the most budget-friendly in the small SUV segment, it's also a tough one to know who to put it up against. The MG is way off in price, while the Tesla is more of a performance offering. If anything it goes head-to-head with the Kia Niro, and in that case this is a clear winner. But this isn't a comparison.
So, based on this car alone, what I can tell you is that, yes, it's got a high price tag, but is worth taking for a test drive. It's well-equipped, a pleasant drive, and with more than decent range.
Bear in mind, while space is limited, it's not targeted towards families as Kia already has plenty of cars in its range to cover that brief. Instead, this works as a great everyday runabout with ample range.