EVs

Hyundai Kona Electric Pros and Cons (According to Owners)

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Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by Rose Morah

If you are thinking of buying a Hyundai Kona Electric or have just ordered but are wondering whether you made the right decision, this article has got you covered.

When you’re planning to buy an EV, relying on online reviews can be confusing.

One thing I’ve noted over the years is that most people tend to leave reviews mostly when they are experiencing a problem with a product.

This explains the confusion around the right choice of product to buy when relying on online reviews.

This article is going to give you the pros and cons of Hyundai Kona Electric, from Hyundai Kona’s actual owners, to help you make an informed decision when buying.

Cons of Hyundai Kona Electric

The following are the disadvantages that come with owning a Hyundai Kona Electric:

  1. It does not have much cargo storage space.

90% of Hyundai Kona Electric owners complain about the limited cargo space, especially if you have a big family.

A majority of these owners don’t like the fact that it has a small trunk.

According to them, this is quite frustrating, especially when traveling with a baby or with your family. All your things won’t fit in the trunk. 

Solution

According to Hyundai Kona’s owners who have big families, buying a roof box that can be used for storage when going on road trips and camping trips can help solve this problem.

Other owners have said that they use rigid Rubbermaid containers to help maximize the storage space in the trunk.

Related:

Pros and Cons of Volkswagen ID.4 Pro.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Pros and Cons.

  1. The backseat can be very uncomfortable.

This is another common disadvantage of the Hyundai Kona Electric that 90% of owners seem to agree on.

The backseats of the Hyundai Kon Electric don’t provide passengers with enough legroom. The seats also feel lower, which makes them uncomfortable to sit on for long.

However, this is not a problem if you mostly travel solo, don’t have a huge family, or if you’re traveling with kids or your dog.

Note:
Before buying the Hyundai Kona Electric, if you think your family is going to grow bigger before you get another vehicle, I recommend you look for an alternative EV that is spacious enough.

See the different types of electric vehicles (EVs) and which one you should buy.

  1. It is not an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle.

All the Hyundai Kona Electric trims (SEL & Limited) have a single motor which means that they are not AWD. 

Hyundai Kona Electric is known for its smooth handling. But most owners, especially those living in locations that get very heavy snow, wish that it had the AWD option.

  1. It does not charge fast compared to its competitors.

The Hyundai Kona Electric’s maximum charging speed is between 75-78kw. This means that if you going on a road trip, you may have to spend longer periods at the charging stops.

Additionally, when you compare their maximum charging speed with their top competitors, you’ll notice that some are even 3 times faster than the Hyundai Kona Electric.

For instance, IONIQ 5 charges faster than the Kona. It can be 50% faster depending on the different charging conditions.

  1. Their stock tires are not that good.

Most Hyundai Kona Electric owners have also complained about the stock tires that come with the new vehicle.

Most of them agree that they are not the best tires, and are too small for the Kona’s torque.

According to them, the tires need a seasonal upgrade for better performance, especially when driving on snow.

You also like the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq Debut Edition Features (Smart Features, Price, Range).

Pros of Hyundai Kona Electric

Now that you know what you will be sacrificing when you decide to get the Hyundai Kona Electric, let’s look at the advantages of the Hyundai Kona Electric.

  1. It is fun to drive.

When it comes to the driving experience, Hyundai Kona is a fun-to-drive EV.

This is mainly because of its great driving dynamics, which include:

  • An overall great performance even when driving on snow and ice (with winter tires).
  • Instant torque.
  • Smoother braking.
  • It is quieter. 
  1. Has a great driver’s seat.

Most Kona owners love the Kona’s driver’s seat because of its comfort.

Additionally, they love the heated seats and steering wheel which makes driving in the winter feel great. 

However, this feature is not available in all the Hyundai Kona Electric trims.

  1. It is reliable and great for everyday driving.

Kona comes with a reasonable range that makes it possible for daily commute to town or just driving around town. 

Additionally, it is possible to go on short road trips with Kona without the need to frequently stop to charge.

NOTE: Most owners reported getting great range from the Kona mostly in the warmer months.

See also: Types of EV Charging and Plugs.

  1. You have the option to change how you drive.

With Hyundai Kona Electric, it is possible to change how you drive with these three driving modes:

  • Sport Mode – This is when you want to feel like you are driving a sports car. It allows you to maximize the sporty feel.
  • Eco Mode – This is when you want to feel like you are driving a traditional gasoline vehicle. The car tries to mimic how it feels to drive an ICE vehicle.
  • Normal Mode – This is the opposite of the eco mode. It gives you the normal feeling of driving an EV.
  1. It allows you to tweak the level of regenerative braking.

If you have owned an EV before or have previously done some research on driving an EV, then you do know that regenerative braking plays a great role in all EVs.

When it comes to driving Hyundai Kona, the car allows you to either increase or decrease the regenerative braking.

Decreasing the regenerative braking is best when driving for long on the highways.

On the other hand, increasing the regenerative braking is best when you are in bumper-to-bumper traffic in order to emulate the one-pedal driving.

  1. Offers a great battery warranty.

Unlike most of the other popular EVs in the market that offers an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, Kona’s warranty is different and better.

The Hyundai Kona Electric’s battery warranty is valid for 10 years/100,000 miles.

Considering how costly the EV battery is, you can still have it replaced at no extra cost within the 10-year warranty period.

Related:

How To Check Nissan Leaf Battery Health (Battery Degradation Status).

How Long Does a Tesla Battery Last? (Tesla Battery Degradation).

  1. The Charging port is located at a convenient spot.

Most Kona owners who have installed EV home chargers with shorter cables found the front charging port convenient.

Additionally, the charging port location is also convenient when charging at public chargers.

Check out 7 Things to Consider Before Installing an EV Home Charger.

  1. It is a comfortable car to sleep in.

If you don’t mind sleeping in the car, Hyundai Kona Electric can be comfortable to sleep in.

This is mainly because the rear seats can fold down perfectly flat, allowing you to lay your foam mattress for a good night’s sleep.

See also: Best Electric Cars For Camping (Best EVs To Sleep In).

  1. It is lighter.

Hyundai Kona Electric is lighter, mostly because of its single and smaller electric motor.

It also comes with lighter tires which lower the overall weight of the car.

  1. It is worth the price.

Though most Kona owners agree that it surely needs some improvements, especially on the space and storage, the car is worth the price.

This is because compared to its competitors, Hyundai Kona is an affordable EV with a reasonable range.