Owner review: 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric

26 July, 2023
Written by The NRMA
Electric vehicle reviews Hyundai Kona Electric
Overall rating
Your image description

This rating is based on the owner/reviewer's opinions and does not reflect the views of the NRMA.

4.6
/5
Value for money
4/5
Tech and styling
5/5
Driving and charging
5/5
Vehicle specifications
Drivetrain
Single electric motor (FWD)
Battery size
44.5kWh
Power
105kW
Torque
353Nm
Driving range
263km
ANCAP rating
5 stars
Price
From $43,990 (including ORC)
First attracted to electric vehicles because of their cutting-edge technology, the Hyundai Kona's performance and driving performance quickly won over this owner.

NRMA member, Jim, purchased his first EV in 2013. Committed to sustainability and in it for the long haul, Jim chose a Hyundai Kona Highlander 2020 and has never looked back.

2020 Kona EV

Buying a Hyundai KONA Highlander 2020
Why did you buy this car? What drew you to it?

It's extended range, great reputation and great reviews. Plus, I liked the SUV style.

What other EVs in its segment did you consider?

The 2020 Nissan LEAF and Telsla Model 3.

How has charging been? Is it done mostly at charging stations or at home?

Unless we’re on a trip, all charging is done at home. We have a Zappi charger connected to our solar panels so we are able to use 100% renewable energy when available.

2020 Kona EV

 
Hyundai KONA Highlander 2020 value for money
How much did you pay for the car?

$70,000

Do you think it has represented good value with standard features?

To do a fair comparison of value for money you need to include all factors such as fuel, servicing costs, absence of fluids/consumables such as oil, transmission fluid, spark plugs etc, as well as regenerative braking keeping the brake pads like new years later.

When you look at all of these things over the life of the car it represents great value.

2020 Kona EV

Has the car been reliable? Have you had any issues maintaining it? 

Both my 10-year-old Nissan Leaf and 3-year-old Kona have been flawless. Neither have had a single service issue.

What have running and repair costs been like?

We expected them to be almost non-existent and they have been, which is excellent. We pay about $125 per year for servicing which includes updated GPS maps as well as NRMA roadside, which is amazing!

2020 Kona EV

Thinking of making the switch to electric?
Members save on new-car loans for EVs.

Hyundai KONA Highlander 2020 tech and styling
Do you like the styling overall both inside and out?

Yes, we love it. It's very comfortable and looks great.

Does the car have all the tech/safety you would expect?

Yes, it has sensors everywhere and great driver feedback.

Are there any standout features (good or bad) you’d like to call out?

I love the extended range. Being able to drive from Sydney to Canberra without stopping is pretty incredible.

2020 Kona EV

Testimonial / quotemark
The performance of EVs is amazing! The sheer power of an electric motor is pure joy. It's totally silent and smooth driving changes the entire experience.
Jim, 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric owner
Hyundai KONA Highlander 2020 long range driving and charging
How does the car drive overall? Is its performance and handling adequate?

The performance of EVs is amazing! The sheer power of an electric motor is pure joy. Also, the totally silent and smooth driving changes the entire experience; it's fabulous.

Has range been an issue? What kind of real-world range do you find you’re getting?

We get around 500km on a full charge. Our daily commute tends to be about 40km so we only need to charge every week or two. We choose to trickle charge using solar so by keeping it plugged in when not in use it’s always ready for a long journey. Not needing petrol stations is amazing.

2020 Kona EV

On long trips we use a variety of apps to plot out charging stations, which are growing in number every day. [It’s] very easy to plan a charging stop around a meal break or other rest spot. Fast chargers can have you ready to go again in around 30-40 minutes if you’re empty, or 10 minutes if you just need a little top up.

Is the car’s charging rate fast enough for how you use the car?

Absolutely. Most normal charging can happen overnight which means if you want you can have your car at 100 per cent every single morning without any inconvenience. As I said above, long journeys now take advantage of fast chargers which have you back on the road very quickly. And with a 500km range it’s basically a non-issue.

Has the battery range decreased noticeably over the life of the vehicle?

Not at all.