By Mitesh Zaveri & Shrawan Raja
While Hyundai has pruned the Kona EV lineup to a single variant with the smaller battery for model year 2026 in the U.S., the current version (MY25) is available in the higher specification until stocks run out. Going forward, in Canada, we’re expecting Hyundai to maintain the Kona EV lineup as before.
After several days behind the wheel of the North American-spec 2024 Hyundai Kona EV Ultimate Package trim, I found it smooth, and thoughtfully designed, though not free of compromises.
Design
The Kona EV rides on a multi-energy platform, but Hyundai designed the EV before moving to the gas and hybrid versions. While it shares the proportions with the combustion model, the Kona Electric replaces the conventional grille with a clean, closed-off face.
The charging port sits in the center and supports both Level 2 AC and Level 3 DC charging. A charge indicator above the port shows status at a glance, and none of the styling looks like an afterthought.
The LED daytime running lights reside above the bumper, while the main headlight units are mounted low. This split setup looks geeky but could be costly to repair since the lights are part of the bumper. A hard scrape could mean replacing the entire assembly.
From the side, the subcompact SUV carries black cladding and 17-inch dual-tone wheels. The design looks aerodynamic, though I’m not a fan of the wheel pattern. A 19-inch option is available, but it could hurt ride comfort.
A silver accent line runs under the greenhouse, contrasting with the lower gloss black door cladding. Roof rails, keyless entry on the front doors, and body-colored mirrors with integrated cameras and blind-spot indicators complete the profile.
At the rear, an LED light band spans the width of the subcompact SUV. The taillights extend into the fenders, which again exposes them to parking scrapes. The tailgate wears “Kona” and “Electric” badges. Gloss-black cladding on the bumper with embedded pixels complete the look.
Interior & Features
The cabin uses black leather upholstery with brushed-aluminum accents made of plastic. The upper dashboard is mostly hard plastic, but the panels fit well and don’t rattle. A 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen share one curved housing, angled slightly toward the driver. The infotainment system runs smoothly and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
At 5’11”, I had no trouble finding a comfortable driving position. The eight-way power driver’s seat includes lumbar adjustment and a tilt base for thigh support. The seat cushions are softer than before, which helps on long drives.
The passenger seat is manually adjustable. Both front seats are heated and ventilated. Visibility through the rear window is average, and the middle headrest blocks some of the view when raised.
The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, with a clear layout for media, adaptive cruise, and lane-keeping functions. It adjusts manually for rake and reach. Paddle shifters behind the wheel control regenerative braking (3 levels) rather than gears, allowing full one-pedal driving when set to ‘i-Pedal.’ The system takes a few miles to master but works well once you get the timing.
Storage
Cabin storage is practical in Kona EV. Two flexible cupholders are found ahead of the armrest, which hides a small bin. There’s open space beneath the center console and a slot above the glovebox for devices. Door pockets fit 1.5-liter bottles, but the glovebox itself is shallow.
The center console has the drive-mode dial and physical buttons for climate, seat heating and cooling, and the heated steering wheel. The gear selector is a column-mounted stalk, freeing space between the seats.
Rear Seats & Cargo
Getting into the back felt easy. The raised floor means the seating position is slightly knees-up, but there’s still good support. With the front seat adjusted for my height, I had about four fingers of knee room and a similar amount of headroom. The seatbacks are mounted at a small recline and comfortable for two adults.
The middle seat is usable for short distances, but firm. The floor is flat, making it easier for a third passenger. Rear occupants get AC vents, twin USB-C ports, and map pockets. Door panels use soft materials where elbows rest, though the surface is short and could be longer for better comfort.
Cargo space measures 25.5 cubic feet with the seats up and 63.7 cubic feet when folded. The load floor is flat, and the opening is quite wide. Under the floor sit a tire-repair kit and portable charger. There’s a small frunk up front, just big enough for the charging cable.
Performance
A single front-mounted motor delivers 201 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. The 64.8 kWh battery feeds the motor through a single-speed reduction gear. Power delivery is instant, and the front-wheel-drive layout helps efficiency, and is ideal for the Kona EV’s use case.
In Eco mode, throttle response is gentle, and the car feels tuned for smooth driving and low energy consumption. Normal mode gives a balanced mix, while Sport mode unleashes full torque with a sharp pedal response. The Kona Electric feels quick off the line for a small SUV, though front tires can scrabble under heavy acceleration.
The suspension is setup for comfort. It absorbs rough patches of road well, staying composed over speed bumps and expansion joints. Despite weighing about 2.2 tons, the setup hides its mass effectively. The steering is light at parking speeds and gains moderate weight at higher speeds. It lacks the feedback of a hydraulic steering system but feels consistent.
Brakes are strong and progressive, though the pedal can feel soft after heavy use. Regeneration through the paddles provides flexibility and helps extend range when operating in urban conditions.
Efficiency & Charging
The official consumption is 18.1 kWh per 62 miles. I averaged 13.5 to 13.8 kWh per 62 miles in mixed driving. That translates to roughly 280-300 miles of real-world range in mild weather. In harsh winter conditions, the range can drop up to around 175 miles.
AC charging at 7 kW takes about 6 hours, while DC fast charging up to 100 kW brings the battery to 80 percent in around 43 minutes. Charging speed varies with temperature, but battery conditioning helps maintain consistency.
Turning on the air conditioning or heater cuts range by about 5 km (3.1 miles). The infotainment screen lets you monitor energy consumption and schedule charging for off-peak hours. The “driver only” climate mode reduces load by directing cooling or heating to the driver side alone.
NVH
The Kona Electric rides quietly. Road and wind noise are low for its segment, helped by the 17-inch wheels and thick sidewalls. At highway speed, the cabin feels relaxed, with only a mild whir from the motor. Some plastic creaks emerge over rough roads, but no major rattles were observed during my tests.
Safety
The digital cluster offers four themes and shows power flow, trip data, and driver-assist status. The infotainment system integrates navigation, vehicle pre-conditioning, and charging limits. The Bose sound system included with the Ultimate Package sounds rich.
Safety equipment includes six airbags, forward collision warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection. The 360-degree camera delivers clear images with multiple angles, though the front and rear camera housings sit exposed and can collect dirt quickly. Blind-spot view monitoring projects real-time feeds in the instrument cluster.
Smart Parking Assist lets you move the car forward or backward using the key fob, useful in tight spaces. The system works well once you get used to the controls.
Pricing
In Canada, the Kona Electric Preferred trim costs CAD 46,499 (MSRP). With the Ultimate Package, as tested, it rises to CAD 51,549 (before taxes). U.S. pricing (MSRP, 2025 model year) starts at USD 36,975 for the SEL, and reaches about USD 41,150 for the top-spec Limited.
TopElectricSUV says
After living with it for a few days, the 2025 Kona Electric proved to be a comfortable and well-rounded subcompact EV. The soft seats, quiet ride, and good efficiency make it easy to recommend as a daily driver.
Its negatives including the low-mounted headlights that could be costly to replace, limited cargo depth, slightly soft brake pedal, and basic plastics in some panels, don’t diminish its appeal as an entry point into electric motoring.
Also See: Hyundai Kona Electric: 11 Interesting features that stood out to me
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
