Test Drive: The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric
Hyundai has deployed a driver-selectable regenerative-braking setup similar to the one in its Ioniq EV. Paddles behind the steering wheel allow the Kona Electric’s pilot to cycle through four levels of regen. This allows for true “one-pedal” driving that could be more engaging than Tesla’s, if not for Hyundai’s use of blended braking. Under the Kona Electric’s hood sits its 201-hp permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, which is coupled to a single-speed, front-wheel-drive transaxle. Compared with the turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four available in the standard Kona, the electric version’s 201 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque represent increases of 26 ponies and 95 lb-ft.
The Kona Electric has three other driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Eco+. This last one is for use when range anxiety turns to range desperation, shutting off the climate-control system to maximize miles. It seems unlikely that this feature will have much utility, given that the Kona Electric boasts a 258-mile EPA range estimate.
Although the Kona Electric’s 6.2 inches of ground clearance (0.8 inch less than the standard version) won’t make it much of a rock crawler, more of its mass sits lower, making it feel better connected to the road. Hidden beneath the floor, the 64.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack shifts the Kona Electric’s center of gravity 3.6 inches closer to the pavement, to 20.3 inches, according to Hyundai. That’s sports-car territory. While this doesn’t turn the Kona into a sports car, it does make the little crossover fun to hustle down canyon roads, especially in its Sport driving mode, which adds some weight to the steering and perks up the motor response.
When the Kona Electric goes on sale in early 2019, we expect it will start at about $37,000—before the $7500 federal tax credit. Hyundai says it will sell the Kona Electric in California first and then expand sales to the other CARB states.