If you’re thinking about joining the EV revolution but don’t want to break the bank, let me convince you the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric makes the switch shockingly easy. As an avid electric vehicle reviewer, I get asked constantly by first-time buyers about approachable EVs with decent range. This little subcompact SUV checks all the boxes, wrapped in stylishly futuristic sheetmetal no less!
In this detailed review from an EV expert’s real-world perspective, I’ll explore why the zippy Kona Electric deserves a spot on your shopping list. Beyond the good looks, you’ll see how clever packaging and sensible pricing creates an enticing gateway into affordable electric mobility.
Overview: Meet Hyundai’s Feisty Electric Crossover
First launched overseas in 2018 before arriving in North America for 2019, the Kona Electric represented an early effort by Hyundai to tackle range anxiety and open EVs to mainstream acceptance. Building on their existing gas-powered Kona compact crossover, engineers electrified everything to create one of the most compelling affordable EV options for young families and commuters.
While competitively sized against internal combustion players like the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-30, hot hatch-like acceleration from the electric powertrain provides a thrill you won’t find from an engine. Yet practicality remains high thanks to generous cargo room and a nicely appointed cabin loaded with tech.
Hyundai offers the zippy little crossover in four exterior colors, with a two-tone black roof option available on certain trims that pumps up the visual attitude. Inside, vibrant colored accents lining the instruments and doors make it clear this isn’t your average fuel-sipping people mover.
Let’s dig deeper into what living day-to-day with Hyundai’s most approachable electric vehicle looks like so far…
Stylish Exterior Design Turns Heads
Part of why crossover SUVs dominate sales charts is their amplified ride height and chunky fender flares signaling rugged escapism. But the Kona Electric stretches chunky CUV styling into something sleeker and more eye-catching on crowded streets.
Up front, I like how the closed off grille paired with narrow headlights gives a streamlined appearance compared to gas Kona variants overloaded with flashy chrome bits. Sheetmetal creases along the hood and doors channel some of the angular style you see on performance models from Hyundai’s N sub-brand.
Standard 17-inch alloys fill the wheel wells nicely on my tester finished in Surfy Blue paint with the two-tone black roof present. From the side profile to rear tailgate design, the Kona Electric simply looks more purposeful and concept car-esque versus internal combustion competitors. Friends who checked it out were surprised to learn the sharp looking little SUV next door cost under $45,000.
Build quality impressed as well once I started poking around up close. Panels gaps showed uniform spacing, while doors closed with a somewhat substantial thunk. Black lower exterior trim felt thick and resistant to scuffing. Previous experience with Hyundai products shows their paint holds up relatively well over years too.
My only complaint centers on rear visibility being a tad more restricted than some rival small crossovers. Thicker rear roof pillars and a relatively short rear windshield cut into the view behind you. It’s only an issue when reversing, but worth being aware of.
The Kona Electric brings lots of curb appeal to the table based on its vibrant colors and details. For those turned off by the quirky i3 or dull Bolt EUV designs, Hyundai found a better balance of form and function.
Daily Driving Range & Charging Expectations
Let’s talk about the key concern on every EV shopper’s mind: how far can I actually drive before needing to top up? Known as range anxiety, this fear of being stranded with a depleted battery continues to limit electric vehicle adoption rates for anyone road tripping routinely.
Thankfully, Hyundai packed the Kona Electric with ample battery capacity to quell most worries for around town use. Further aided by compact dimensions that don’t overwhelm the electrical system trying to carve through air resistance on the highway.
Sizeable 64 kWh Battery Unlocks 300+ Kilometers Driving Range
Motivating the peppy crossover is a 201 horsepower electric motor hitting peak torque instantly. Power is fed by a liquid-cooled 64 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery mounted below the floor in weather-sealed casing. Hyundai warrants the pack for 10 years or 200,000 km as reassurance.
That 64 kWh battery trounces the smaller packs used by competing EVs, allowing generous driving distance between charging stops. Hyundai advertises 415 km based on favorable testing cycles. Through hundreds of kilometers behind the wheel in varying conditions, I averaged around 300 km before needing to top up – aligned with what many owners report as well.
During city driving sorties, I saw average energy consumption of 20 kWh per 100 kilometers according to the trip computer. That works out to roughly 5 miles per kWh in real world efficiency. Cold weather and quick acceleration spurts bump usage upwards, but not drastically with the heat pump system keeping temperatures stable.
Overall, the Kona Electric sets realistic expectations for road trip range if needed. Driving at a steady highway pace returns predictable efficiency for route planning purposes. And there’s still room to spare reaching for the next charging station every few hours.
Home and Fast Charging Expand Where You Can Roam
Blessed with an ample 64 kWh battery, the Kona Electric can still recharge at a rapid clip when desired. Hyundai loads even base models with support for 100 kW DC fast charging standard today at most public stations. A 7.2 kW level 2 onboard charger is also equipped for quicker overnight top ups at home.
I took advantage of Electrify Canada stations a few times to try things out. Within 30 minutes plugged into a 350 kW pump, battery meters jumped from 34% to 80% charged. Extrapolating that rate, a full recharge takes just over 90 minutes in optimal conditions. Having 200+ km of range added during a quick stop makes road trip planning less stressful.
But for most owners not road tripping routinely, overnight charging at home does the trick. Using the included level 2 EVSE charger on a 240 volt, 32 amp circuit (7.2 kW draw), I started each morning with a full “tank” after plugging in my tester post-commute with the battery around 30% state of charge usually.
A sizable battery paired with level 2 home charging reduces any inconvenience to essentially nil during ownership. More than enough usable range exists for even moderate daily mileage needs, while hour long rapid fill ups help on longer getaways.
For households with a second gasoline vehicle, rely on DC fast charging network stops only rarely when needed. The economical route will always be pouring cheap overnight electrons from home into the battery instead.
Premium Interior Packed With Tech Goodies & Space
Hyundai cranks value-to-dollar ratio sky high inside the Kona Electric as well. My mid-range tester came equipped with the well-assembled cabin of the Preferred trim starting under $48,000. Upscale materials present a premium experience that punches above expectations for a subcompact EV.
Immediately your eyes are drawn towards the 10.25 inch touchscreen dominating dash real estate. Colors and fonts please the eyes as you flick between functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay means one less cord to plug in getting rolling. Everything reacts quickly to inputs helped by the peppy processor.
Preferred and higher trims also come equipped with a digital TFT display cluster instead of basic gauges. Animated EV range indicators front and center help take the guesswork out of estimating distance remaining. I grew to greatly prefer having exact percentage and distance estimates floating right behind the steering wheel.
Seating plays an important role managing comfort on longer journeys as well. My mid-range tester came equipped with power adjustable leatherette chairs including heating/cooling to find the right mix. Lumbar and thigh extensions help dial in support just right too. Outward visibility impresses thanks to a low cowl and thin roof pillars up front.
The rear bench provides adequate support for family rides across town, though legroom does get pinched with taller passengers. Getting in and out is easy thanks to the tall ride height expected from a crossover. Just watch your head climbing aboard back there.
Cargo room comes in at 19.2 cubic feet behind that rear bench, expanding to 45.8 cubes with the 60/40 seatbacks folded flat. That accommodates bulkier items from warehouse store runs or pushing the rear seats down entirely for road trips. Just don’t expect 3-row space levels from larger utility vehicles. But the Kona Electric carries enough for most young urbanite needs.
Up front, you’ll find several charging areas for devices, multiple power points to stay juiced up on the move, and an available heads up display to keep vital stats in your line of sight while driving. Overall, Hyundai assembled a thoughtfully arranged cabin oriented around device charging, comfort, and connectivity.
For an affordable electric crossover, the Kona EV interior sets new expectations on refinement. Nice materials, abundant driver displays, and slick infotainment place this Hyundai nearer premium brand sensibilities.
Zipping Around Town Full of Instant Torque Thrills
Crossover SUVs typically focus handling efforts on cushioning imperfect roads rather than attacking corners. But the low slung battery pack of the Kona Electric provides a more dynamically stiff foundation to build upon. Combined with ultra quick motor torque, this little electric CUV handles day-to-day commuting with zeal.
Twist the gear knob into Drive and you instantly access a chunky 291 lb-ft of torque at your right foot’s command. Accelerating from a stop with authority is shockingly easy up to highway speeds thanks to the electric motor’s instant power delivery. Even conservative drivers will get a chuckle out of the Kona Electric’s ability to surge ahead of traffic when called upon.
Especially around town where start-stop driving tends to rule, having 100% torque the moment you touch the accelerator makes the Kona Electric feel quicker than its official 7 second 0-60 mph time. Reaching highway velocities happens nearly as rapidly as hot hatches like the Volkswagen GTI costing considerably more. Except here you ride in cushy crossover comfort instead of a tiny hatchback.
Through corners the Kona Electric holds lines dutifully thanks to a center of gravity mounted low from that battery pack. Steering feedback provides enough connection to the road without being overly heavy. Slow speed maneuvering never feels cumbersome either thanks to a tight turning radius expected of small crossovers.
I wouldn’t call the Kona Electric overly “sporty” given its taller suspension and modest grip levels. But dynamically it holds up better than expected for an affordable electric people mover, with the punchy throttle never growing old.
Quick motor torque combined with a responsive chassis gives the Kona EV snappy moves suiting laid back and aggressive temperaments. This fun crossover rewards drivers of all types with its game acceleration.
Kona EV vs. Top Electric Crossover Competition
Hyundai largely pioneered the affordable electric crossover concept starting in 2018. But momentum continues building from historical EV stalwarts plus new entrants hoping to carve out subcompact utility market share. How does Hyundai’s zippy little people mover stack up against rivals today?
Hyundai pitches the Kona Electric across three trim levels priced below $55,000 before incentives kick in. Generous standard features and available AWD on some competitors do close the value gap a bit. Still, the Hyundai holds its own on range while undercutting most rivals.
Review my comparison chart below highlighting key electric crossover alternatives shoppers should evaluate on metrics that matter most:
||2022 Hyundai Kona Electric|2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV|2022 Kia Niro EV|2022 Nissan Ariya AWD|
|-|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|Price (MSRP)|$44,999| $38,495 |$44,995 | $47,998|
|Battery Capacity| 64 kWh | 65 kWh | 64 kWh | 63 kWh |
|Electric Range | 415 km | 402 km | 383 km | 331 km |
|0-60 MPH Acceleration | 6.4 sec | 6.3 sec | 7.8 sec | 5.8 sec |
|Max Charging Speed | 100 kW DC | 55 kW DC | 100 kW DC | 130 kW DC |
|Available AWD||No|Yes|Yes|
|Cargo Capacity | 19.2 cu-ft | 16.3 cu-ft | 17.1 cu-ft | 16.5 cu-ft |
Reviewing the competitive set, the Kona Electric impresses by meeting or exceeding key metrics for an affordable electric people mover. No other model can claim 400+ km of range plus lively acceleration at this price point.
I appreciate how the Hyundai Kona Electric checks off must-have boxes like ample range, zippy acceleration, and generous tech in an approachable compact crossover form factor. As more brands expand affordable EV lineups, Hyundai maintains an advantage baking in goodness across the board early on.
For sub-$45K, no small electric crossover yet beats the combination of usable range, performance, and value Hyundai baked into in the Kona EV. Only the extremely discounted Bolt EUV comes close on sticker price, but gives up critical driving distance versus the well-rounded Hyundai.
Conclusion: Ideal Electric Mobility for First-Time EV Buyers
After hundreds of kilometers behind the wheel, I give my full endorsement of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric as a leading affordable electric crossover. Shoppers wanting practically hassle-free electrified transportation wrapped in CUV packaging will feel right at home thanks to its smart blend of usability, quality and value.
Appealing style inside and out plus a usefully large 64 kWh battery for generous driving range shatter expectations of economy car misery. Peppy acceleration and composed handling inject driving joy into daily commutes. And high-end interior touches like leather seats, wireless smartphone charging and a 10-inch touchscreen round out an exceptional feature set most rivals can’t match under $45,000.
While no vehicle excels all areas, the well-rounded Kona Electric nails fundamentals young professionals care about. With plenty of safety technology standard and available AWD coming soon, this little subcompact EV easily handles winter too. All while sipping electrons with cool electric efficiency and sporting crossover utility.
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric as a top pick among small electric crossovers. Competitors like the Nissan Ariya and Volkswagen ID.4 grab more headlines as new EVs targeting mainstream buyers. But Hyundai offers more polished EV execution today plus wallet-friendly pricing.
If you’re seeking electric vehicle ownership made easy courtesy of ample range and usability, put the Kona Electric at the top of your shopping list. Hatchback and internal combustion rivals simply can’t match its compelling blend of qualities in my eyes. This little EV feels like the start of something big as electric mobility goes mainstream.
