Hyundai’s Kona EV is not what’s expected of an electrified crossover
There is a minor nit to pick: making the Kona EV a true one-pedal drive requires the left paddle to be held to maintain the level of regen braking once around 10 to 12 km/h.
The preferred solution would be to allow the driver to control the level of retardation through the accelerator pedal, like the BMW i3. That aside, picking the most aggressive regen-braking setup meant the canyon drive demonstrated there was absolutely no need to use the brakes, regardless of whether lifting for a corner or using the regen to slow a downhill descent.
The other place the Kona Electric impresses is the manner in which it handles. The under-floor placement of the battery means it has a very low centre of gravity. This lends to a minimal roll tendency in the first place, and so the suspension was tuned to deliver equal measures of roll control and comfort.
Throw in a responsive steering setup and the added weight in Sport mode, and the Kona carved corners in a truly entertaining manner. More surprising was the fact the seat of my pants said the EV’s handling was on par with the gas-powered Kona models, if not slightly better overall. That’s not what’s expected of an electrified crossover. No, it’s not a sports car, but it sure dispenses with the humdrum
drive of a Nissan Leaf.
The EV’s cabin has been gussied up to deliver a modern look and all the desirable
amenities. The base Preferred trim gets lots, while the topline Ultimate gets everything. The instrumentation is clean and concise, delivering all the pertinent information in a clean fashion. As for amenities, the list runs from the heated and cooled front seats. through to an eight-inch floating infotainment touch screen that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the standard GPS navigation system.
When it comes to utility, there’s no sacrifice. The back seat will accommodate two adults comfortably and it has the same cargo space as the gas-powered model. Finally, all Kona Electrics come with a complete suite of standard safety equipment.
The Kona Electric is going to turn the electric market on its ear. It has a rewarding turn of speed, no local emissions, and that anxiety-free, 415-km driving range. Pricing will not be announced until closer to its December launch date, but expect it to compete with the Chevrolet Bolt.
It’s not a sports car, but it sure dispenses with the humdrum drive of a Nissan Leaf.” Graeme Fletcher