The Hyundai Kona Electric may seem like an affordable electric SUV option on paper, but it has multiple serious drawbacks that make it nearly impossible to recommend over rival EVs. As an experienced EV industry analyst, I have carefully evaluated the flaws in the Kona Electric to help you make an informed purchase decision. Here are 6 dealbreaking reasons why you should steer clear of this disappointing pseudo-crossover.
Overview: Deeply Flawed Despite Potential Appeal
Introduced for 2019, the Kona Electric aims to provide a budget-friendly electric SUV with its $34,000 starting price. However, as you‘ll see, cutting costs resulted in major compromises that negatively impact everyday use. From subpar acceleration to cramped rear legroom unsuitable for families, the cons outweigh the pros. Simply put, rival EVs match or beat the Kona Electric without suffering from the same limitations – making them vastly better options.
1. Borderline Impossible to Actually Buy
According to Hyundai‘s website, the Kona Electric is only available for purchase at dealers in 12 states scattered across the West, Northeast, and South. For a majority of US drivers, merely finding one to test drive would require an onerous trip out-of-state. And if you do live in a qualifying state, expect waitlists and minimal customizability from limited inventory. EV shoppers deserve better access than that from a major brand like Hyundai.
2. Stuck Without All-Wheel Drive
Unlike gas Kona models, Hyundai does not offer the Electric version with all-wheel drive – only front-wheel drive comes standard. Without AWD, handling dulls in cold weather when you need traction most. For buyers in northern states facing snowy winters, FWD proves a dealbreaker. The Kona EV also lacks the power boost from a second motor that AWD provides in rival EVs. For example, the ID.4 AWD produces 295 horsepower versus just 201 horses in the FWD-only Kona.
3. Rear Seat Severely Lacks Legroom
Back seat passengers get doomed to a cramped 33 inches of legroom in the Kona Electric – one of the smallest amounts among compact SUVs. Compared to the Hyundai Kona itself, the Electric version cuts 5 whole inches of stretch-out space. And benchmark compact electric crossovers like the Volkswagen ID.4 boast nearly 38 inches for rear riders. Bottom line: the Kona EV feels surprisingly impractical for families, especially on road trips.
4. Ho-Hum Acceleration Belying EV Potential
For an electric vehicle, the Kona EV‘s acceleration proves an utter letdown. Here is how it stacks up against rivals in 0-60 mph times according to MotorTrend‘s instrumented testing:
| Model | 0-60 Time |
|---|---|
| Kona Electric | 7.6 seconds |
| VW ID.4 | 5.8 seconds |
| Ford Mustang Mach E | 4.8 seconds |
As you can see, the Kona Electric lags well behind comparably priced electric SUVs. While its handling feels relatively agile, sluggish throttle response sucks the fun out of driving. For EV enthusiasts and lead-foots, better performance exists elsewhere.
5. Adaptive Cruise Control Absent on Most Trims
Hyundai restricted availability of adaptive cruise control to only the top Limited trim of the Kona Electric as part of a package. This advanced safety feature automatically adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance to the vehicle ahead – extremely useful in highway driving. Making such coveted technology optional on higher-cost variants rather than standard represents awful value compared to brands like Ford that include it across lineup.
6. Paltry Cargo Space Further Limits Functionality
Behind the cramped rear row, the Kona Electric only provides 19.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. As an SUV, carry capacity should be a strong suit, but it falls painfully short of expectations here as the data shows:
| Model | Cargo Capacity |
|---|---|
| Kona Electric | 19.2 cubic feet |
| Chevrolet Bolt EUV | 16.6 cubic feet |
| Kia Niro EV | 22.8 cubic feet |
Fighting for every inch of packing room further erodes the Kona Electric‘s already dubious utility as a crossover. For EV buyers prioritizing practicality for travel and daily errands, far more spacious options exist.
3 Vastly Superior Electric SUV Options
Rather than waste your money on Hyundai‘s underachieving offer, check out these exceptional electric crossovers first:
2022 Volkswagen ID.4 – The superb ID.4 beats the Kona EV handily in rear legroom, acceleration, and cargo versatility. Plus, available AWD provides added traction and even more power.
2021 Mustang Mach-E – As Ford‘s exciting debut EV, the Mach-E delivers up to 305 horsepower plus a 37 cubic foot trunk for less money than the Kona EV.
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV – For an affordable electric SUV, the Bolt EUV makes way more sense. Greater rear legroom and safety technology provide practical value -without availability headaches.
As an EV specialist, I have driven all of these electric SUVs extensively. And across metrics from interior roominess to driving dynamics, the ID.4, Mach-E, and Bolt EUV outperform the Kona Electric without question. Test drives may confirm this analysis first-hand as well. But the data clearly shows why you must avoid Hyundai‘s EV misstep.
In closing, while no vehicle excels across every measure, the Kona Electric stacks up remarkably poorly against rivals old and new alike. Before even considering such a severely compromised EV, be sure to evaluate all options on the market right now to make the smartest choice. Let me know if you have any other questions!
