Hyundai Kona Electric 2021 Review

The name pretty much tells you everything you need to know. The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric is simply an electric version of Hyundai's Kona extra-small crossover SUV. It provides punchy performance from its 201-horsepower electric motor and can go more than 250 miles before recharging. Otherwise, it's a lot like the regular gas-powered Kona. It even has the same amount of cargo space. It's a genuinely fun little car to drive that just happens to be electric.

On the downside, rear legroom is tight (just like in the regular Kona) and availability is limited to select states. You can read our in-depth Expert Review to learn more. Other top EVs in this class worth checking out include the Chevrolet Bolt, Kia Niro EV, Nissan Leaf and upcoming Volkswagen ID.4.

What's it like to live with?

Want to know even more about the Kona Electric? Our team of experts have tested a Hyundai Kona Electric as part of our long-term program, in which we drive vehicles for a year and report to you what they are like to own. Read our long-term Kona coverage to see what we've learned about aspects such as the Kona Electric's reliability, electrical efficiency and charging over the long haul.

Which Kona Electric does MatoCar recommend?

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a small EV available in three trim levels: SEL, Limited and Ultimate. The Kona Electric uses a 64-kWh battery pack to power a 150-kW electric motor rated to deliver 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft. All Kona Electrics are front-wheel-drive and have an EPA-estimated range of 258 miles on a full charge. Highlight features include:

SEL Includes a lot of standard equipment, such as:

• Keyless entry with push-button start
• LED daytime running lights
• 17-inch wheels
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 7-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

The Kona Electric also comes with:

• Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Kona Electric back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

Limited Adds features including:

• Battery heater (improves battery performance in very cold weather)
• LED headlights
• Sunroof
• Leather seating surfaces
• Wireless charging pad
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Power-adjustable driver's seat

Ultimate Tops the range with:

• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Heated steering wheel
• Ventilated front seats
• 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Upgraded Infinity sound system
• Head-up display
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Kona Electric and the car in front)
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• Pedestrian detection (alerts the driver when a pedestrian is in close proximity to the front of the Kona Electric)