Update: ‘Hyundai Ioniq 5 & Hyundai Kona Electric Sales’ and ‘On the next-gen Hyundai Kona Electric’ sections updated.
The Hyundai Kona Electric and Hyundai Ioniq 5 belong to different segments and thus have different market positioning. Both the EVs are popular in their own right. However, some customers and EV enthusiasts mistakenly see them as rivals. A critical difference between the two is their platform. The Hyundai Kona Electric is a conversion BEV, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is based on Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated E-GMP electric vehicle platform. Let’s delve deeper into the differences between the two EVs.
Dimensions
Measuring 165.6 inches long, 70.9 inches wide, and 61.2 inches tall, the Hyundai Kona Electric is a sub-compact SUV. At 182.5 inches long, 74.4 inches wide, and 63.0 inches tall, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a compact SUV. Thanks to its bespoke EV platform, the latter is noticeably bigger and significantly more spacious. Its wheelbase is almost four inches longer than the Palisade—the biggest model Hyundai offers in the United States.
Dimension | Hyundai Kona Electric Specification | Hyundai Ioniq 5 Specification |
Length | 165.6 in. | 182.5 in. |
Width | 70.9 in. | 74.4 in. |
Height | 61.2 in. | 63.0 in. |
Wheelbase | 102.4 in. | 118.1 in. |
Cargo Capacity (Rear Seats Up/Rear SeatsFolded Down) | 19.2 cu. ft./45.8 cu. ft. | 27.2 cu. ft./59.3 cu. ft. |
Front Cargo (Frunk) Capacity | NA | 0.85 cu. ft. |
Passenger Interior Volume | 92.4 cu. ft. | 106.5 cu. ft. |
Total Interior Volume | 111.6 cu. ft. | 133.7 cu. ft. |
Design
The Hyundai Kona Electric and Ioniq 5 are both soft-looking crossovers. The Kona is sculpted and modern, whereas the Ioniq is squarish and beautifully blends traditional and futuristic design elements. The Ioniq 5 looks like an EV designed to make it appear futuristic, while the Kona EV seems more conventional in its form factor.
It would be technically incorrect to describe the Ioniq 5 neo-retro. In addition to the old elements derived from the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept—the same model that influenced the iconic DeLorean DMC 12—it’s more futuristic than the current era. The pixelated headlamps and rear combination lamps, V-shaped positioning lamps, and, in select markets, camera-based, fender-mounted ORVMs and the solar roof give the Ioniq 5 a futuristic appearance.
The Kona Electric and the Ioniq 5 have minimalist yet well-appointed cabins. The latter elevates it with two-spoke steering, a dual-screen panel, a slimmer dashboard, and a smaller center console panel. It’s also more practical because it’s a bespoke EV. The front center console, for example, moves back and forth 5.5 inches. The rear seats are also more versatile, slidable forward up to 5.3 inches, and reclinable.
Specifications
The Ioniq 5 outshines the Kona EV when it comes to the underpinnings. The small SUV is built on a modified ICE platform, whereas the compact SUV is built on the EV-specific Electric-Global Modular Platform. E-GMP is currently one of the most advanced EV platforms for mainstream brands and is also used by the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia EV6, and the Genesis GV60. It offers superior space, features and capabilities.
The U.S.-spec Kona Electric comes with a single configuration. It’s powered by a single front-axle mounted electric motor that’s good for 150 kW (201 hp) and 291 lb-ft. The energy is supplied by a 64 kWh battery pack manufactured by LG Chem. It has a range of 258 miles (EPA est.).
The Kona Electric takes about 9 hours and 15 minutes for Level 2 charging (10-100% SoC). Level 3 charging (10-80% SoC) is a process of approximately 64 minutes if using a 50 kW charger or approximately 47 minutes if using a 100 kW charger.
The U.S.-spec Ioniq 5 currently is available in three configurations: Standard Range RWD, Long Range RWD, and Long Range AWD. The Standard Range RWD variant uses a 58 kWh battery pack that provides an EPA-est. range of 220 miles and a rear motor that generates 168 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Long Range RWD variant uses a larger, 77.4 kWh battery pack that delivers an EPA-est. range of 303 miles and a more powerful rear motor that generates 225 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The Long Range AWD variant uses the same battery pack but an additional motor mounted at the front that dials up the power and torque figures to 320 hp and 446 lb.-ft. respectively. The EPA-est. range of this variant is 266 miles.
Aspect | Hyundai Kona Electric Specification | Hyundai Ioniq 5 Specification |
Drivetrain Layout | FWD | RWD/AWD |
No. of Motors | One (Front) | One (Rear)/Two (Front and Rear) |
Motor Max. Power | 201 hp | Up to 320 hp |
Motor Max. Torque | 291 lb.-ft. | Up to 446 lb.-ft. |
Top Speed | 104 mph | 115 mph |
Battery Pack Energy Content | 64 kWh | Up to 77.4 kWh |
Battery Pack Voltage | 356 volts | Up to 697 volts |
Range (EPA) | 258 miles | Up to 303 miles |
On-Board Charger | 7.2 kW | 10.9 kW |
DC Fast-Charging Time (10 to 80% SoC) | ~47 minutes | 18 minutes |
According to Hyundai’s product guide, Level 2 charging (10-100 percent SoC) in the Ioniq 5 takes 5 hours and 50 minutes in the Standard Range RWD variant and 7 hours and 10 minutes in the Long Range RWD and Long Range AWD variants. Level 3 charging from 10-80% SoC using a 150 kW charger takes just 25 minutes in the Long Range RWD and Long Range AWD variants. Thanks to its 800-volt charging capability, the Ioniq 5 can benefit from an ultra-fast charger. With a 250 kW or a higher capacity charger, charging from 10-80% SoC takes just 18 minutes in all three configurations.
In contrast to the Kona EV, the Ioniq 5 also supports bidirectional charging. Customers can use the energy stored in the Ioniq 5’s battery pack to power their home, power tools, portable electronics, and even another EV. Hyundai has termed bi-directional charging as Vehicle-to-load or V2L, and the same is also offered on other E-GMP-based models like the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60.
Price
This is not a comparison where one vehicle trumps the other to take the top spot. Our article points out key differences between two EVs from the same brand which belong to different generations. Needless to say, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 outperforms the Hyundai Kona EV in every way. And with greater capabilities comes a higher asking price!
While the Kona Electric is priced between USD 33,550 and USD 41,550, the Ioniq 5 costs between USD 41,450 and USD 56,500. Hyundai used to levy a freight charge of USD 1,295 on both models in 2022 and has increased that number to USD 1,335 now. In addition to being more expensive, the supply of the loniq 5 is limited. A go-faster Hyundai Ioniq 5 N will debut in July 2023, and it is likely to reach dealerships in Q4 2023, with prices starting at around USD 60,000.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 & Hyundai Kona Electric Sales
In 2022, Hyundai sold 724,265 new vehicles in the U.S., marking a 2% decline in sales compared to 2021 (738,081 units). The Ioniq 5 contributed 22,982 units to total sales. The Kona and Kona Electric combined recorded 63,994 units, 29% lower than in 2021 (90,069 units).
In Q1 2023, the Ioniq 5 registered 5,736 units in U.S. sales, 8% lower than in Q1 2022 (6,244 units). The gas-powered and electric variants of the Kona recorded a 21% growth during that period, with 7,314 units (Q1 2022: 6,053 units). Announcing its quarterly sales report on April 1, 2023, Hyundai said it set a new Q1 total and retail sales record for the Kona Electric, without offering a specific number.
On the next-gen Hyundai Kona Electric
The second-gen Hyundai Kona Electric will replace the first-gen car in the U.S. in late fall 2023. The redesigned electric SUV sports a more striking exterior and high-tech interior, as well as improved space and performance. It’s planned in 133 hp and 201 hp variants, with the former having a 48.6 kWh battery pack expected to deliver a range (Hyundai-est.) of 197 miles and the latter using a 64.8 kWh battery pack targeted to return a range (Hyundai-est.) of 260 miles.
Featured Image Source: Hyundai Motor Group