OSV's video: Hyundai Kona Electric Review - Should You Buy One in 2022

BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC FROM OSV: https://bit.ly/35030aS No manufacturer is more invested in the whole concept of clean automotive mobility than Hyundai. The brand has eco-petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and even hydrogen fuel cell options in its current range. And of course, some full-electric battery-powered models. Here's perhaps the most appealing of them, the Kona Electric, now usefully improved. Market and Model What Hyundai's EV competitors were expecting with the original version of this model was a fairly straightforward proposition: an on the road price in the £30,000-£35,000 bracket, battery capacity around 40kWh and 180 miles of WLTP-rated driving range. And indeed, that's almost precisely what's delivered by the base 39.2kWh version of this Kona Electric, which is offered in two guises, 'SE Connect (which costs around £30,000)' and plusher 'Premium' (which costs around £31,500). What the market wasn't expecting was the version of this Kona Electric that that most original customers for this model chose, the 64kWh variant that almost all customers of this battery-powered model will want. With this top derivative, there's 279 miles of WLTP-rated range for around £35,000 (if you go for a 'Premium'-trimmed model) or around £37,500 (if you go for the top 'Ultimate' variant). All the prices we've just quoted you include subtraction of the £1,500 government grant provided towards purchase of full-EV vehicles. This improved model includes a range of extra camera safety features, including Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. Another feature new to this model is Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), which alerts the driver if they do not react fast enough when the vehicle ahead of them starts moving. Further new safety features include Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and Rear Seat Alert (RSA). SEW warns passengers intending to exit the vehicle if it is not yet safe to do so. RSA is a door-checker feature that recognises if the rear doors have been opened prior to departing. Cost of Ownership As usual with an EV, you get plenty of cabin screen options to allow you to plan your route around your remaining available charge. Both models offer charging flexibility with standard 7 pin Type 2 CCS and 3 pin ICCB charging cables. When the battery is depleted, you'll be able to recharge your Kona Electric to 80% of capacity in just 75 minutes if you can find a 50kW DC CCS charging point. Or 47 minutes from a 100kW charger. Most of the time though, you'll be charging this Hyundai overnight using a 7.2kW wallbox that you'll have to pay a little extra to get installed in your garage. In the 64kWh model. You can revive the cells from empty in this way in around 6 hours (which would use around £9 of electricity at current rates). Summary The looks of this Kona Electric are much improved in this revised form, but it's appeal remains much as before. Strengths include the kind of relatively usable driving range that would make it almost usable as an only car. Better still, we've found here that the claimed range isn't so far away from what's actually achievable in everyday use. In a Peugeot e-2008, you'd get a classier interior. In a Nissan LEAF, you'd get more rear seat passenger space. But both those cars are completely trounced by the driving range this Kona Electric can offer in its higher output form. Which is something that only this car's Kia cousins can match for the price. This Kona though, has wider appeal. Enough to take it mainstream? Probably not. It won't be on sale in large enough numbers for a start. But it's a clear signpost to an all-electric future. And that makes it a very important car indeed. **CAR REVIEW PLAYLISTS** ► New Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myaZiV ► Behind the Wheel: https://bit.ly/35JuUo7 ► Highlight Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/35N1Wnx ► Electric Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TAqjPK ► Short Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2HHlJMS ► Hatchback Reviews: https://bit.ly/3mKNAen ► SUV & 4X4 Reviews: https://bit.ly/37Verjt ► Saloon Reviews: https://bit.ly/37QrbrD ► City Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3jDzBVI ► Estate Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kDflog ► Sports Car and Coupe Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TwkzXb ► MPV Reviews: https://bit.ly/3e7114S ► Van Reviews: https://bit.ly/31QWcb4 ► Business Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kGZncN ► Family Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myLaiy **FOLLOW OSV ON** ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OSVLtd/ ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/osvmotoringnews ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osvltd/