HYUNDAI Kona Électrique 2019

Body and cabin

The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric is especially distinguishable from the gasoline version from the front: a body-coloured grill graphic fills in for the gas-engine model’s regular, classic grille. Unique wheels, taillights and some special colours round out the changes.

The differences are a bit more evident inside. Instead of a standard gear lever, the electric model has a push-button selector, like that of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. Since the buttons are too much alike, you need to pay close attention if you’re shifting in a hurry.

On the other hand, removing the shift lever freed up a large storage space beneath the console. The dashboard is trimmed in silver instead of the black or dark grey in the gas model. The instrument cluster prominently displays a battery charge gauge and range indicator.

Overall, the look is still similar to that of a gasoline Kona. Once again, Hyundai successfully injects contemporary styling into an environment that is highly functional and ergonomic. The secret is physical buttons and dials that provide access to all the main functions with little or no need to resort to the centre touch screen. And when you have to use the screen, its clear, logical layout makes it relatively easy. It’s not rocket science; several rivals should take note.

If there’s one drawback, it is tight rear passenger space. Legroom goes from acceptable when the front seats are adjusted for a 1.78-m/5-foot 10-in. occupant, to nearly zilch behind a tall individual. An adult may find their head touching the ceiling. Things are fine in front, where the seats are a bit short but supportive.

The Hyundai Kona Electric may post the proportions of a crossover, but it must be taken for what it is: a raised, subcompact hatchback. It is not a family vehicle, though trunk space surpasses that of certain rivals (notably the Mazda CX-3) when the rear seat backs are up. Remember that if you are counting on a Kona Electric as your main transportation.

Safety

The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric comes with all driver assist features as standard equipment (or nearly all; the base model doesn’t get automatic high-beam assist). That is commendable on the part of Hyundai, which should, however, avoid restricting these technologies to the highest-priced trims on gasoline versions.

The Kona underwent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing after our report on the gasoline version was published in the summer of 2018. It obtained top scores across the board, including for the LED highlights on the high-end trims. However, the halogen headlights on the more affordable models received IIHS’s lowest rating for providing insufficient lighting and dazzling oncoming drivers.

Mechanical overview

The Hyundai Kona Electric may strongly resemble its standard alter ego, but its inner workings are obviously very different. Gone are the gasoline engine, transmission, exhaust system and fuel tank, and in go an electric motor, generator, battery pack and high-voltage electrical system.

Like all electric motors, this one delivers maximum power and torque the instant the pedal hits the floor. The numbers are generous: 201hp and, especially, 290lb-ft of torque, without delay. In comparison, it would take the Genesis G70’s 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 to get more torque in a Hyundai car.

No transmission is necessary in an all-electric vehicle. Power goes straight from the engine to the drive wheels, in this case, the front wheels only. Hyundai does not offer all-wheel drive on the Kona Electric though it does so for the two available gasoline engines. It is an intriguing decision, since AWD is attracting a growing number of Canadians, especially for anything resembling an SUV. Yet all that is needed is to install a second, rear electric motor, similar to what Toyota has been doing for a long time on the Highlander hybrid, or Mitsubishi on the Outlander PHEV.

The strategy does have a positive effect: one motor uses less battery energy than two. It no doubt contributes to extending the maximum range, an impressive 415km according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). For now, only the celebrated Teslas offer more. NRCan estimates energy consumption at 17.4 kWh/100 km, or the equivalent of 2 L/100 km.

Of course, while battery technology is constantly improving, the main way to increase driving range still consists in using a larger battery. The battery of the Hyundai Kona Electric has a capacity of 64kWh, and it takes up almost all the space under the floor. Used widely throughout the industry, this layout keeps cabin and trunk space largely intact while lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity—always a big plus for handling.

However, a large battery also means a long charging time. Charging a completely depleted battery would take nine hours, according to NRCan. That’s not likely to happen much, because you don’t wait to run out of electricity just like you don’t wait to run out of gas. A stop at a quick charge station lets you restore the battery to 80% capacity in an hour and a half, or about 23 minutes for 100km.

As to the drive, the Hyundai Kona Electric uses the same independent rear suspension as the AWD gasoline models. The electric assist steering is unchanged, whereas the brakes obviously gain a regenerative energy function. Similar to all EVs and hybrids, it reverses the direction of rotation of the electric motor as soon as the throttle is released. The recuperated energy returns to the battery to preserve and sometimes even increase the level of charge. It also creates engine braking that lets you to slow down without touching the brake pedal.

Hyundai allows the driver to modulate the four levels of regenerative engine braking via two paddles mounted on the steering wheel. However, the Kona Electric cannot come to a complete stop without depressing the brake pedal, unlike the BMW i3, Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3, for example.

Driving impressions

What do most drivers say the first time they try an EV? In no specific order, “Wow, it really takes off!” or “This car is really quiet!”

The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric is no different, on the contrary. The 290lb-ft of torque provides quick acceleration, certainly enough to overrun the capacity of the front end. As a result, the steering wheel quickly pulls to the side if you’re not careful—a manifestation of the torque steer that afflicts so many powerful front-wheel-drive vehicles.

Other than that almost inevitable reaction, the drive is quite engaging. Precise steering and the car’s small size make it very agile in the city, where most of our test was conducted. At higher speeds, the weight of the battery makes the vehicle feel glued to the road and helps reduce body roll, already well controlled in the gasoline model. Along with the lively engine, it all just adds to the driving enjoyment previously experienced at the wheel of a gasoline Kona.

Unfortunately, the electric version comes with the same trade-off in comfort as its more traditional sibling. The stiff suspension has difficulty absorbing the potholes, bumps and cracks of city streets. In other words, you get shaken up, though things calm down somewhat on the highway.

Sound insulation at highway speed is not a Hyundai Kona strongpoint, either, independent of the powertrain. At least in the electric version, there’s no engine noise. In fact, the car is so quiet at slow speeds that a low, artificial sound is emitted to alert pedestrians and maybe to reassure disquieted occupants!