Kona’s an EV that can go for ever

THE Hyundai Kona EV isn’t the best car we’ve tested so far this year, or the most fun. It’s just the most important.

Why? Because it is the first electric car that combines a long range with a realistic price. Look what we have so far in the EV world: at the top end we have the headline grabbing Teslas and the beautiful new Jaguar I-pace which we tested earlier in the year.

They can manage almost 300 miles on a single charge but cost well over £60k.

At the other end we have the more affordable EVS such as the Nissan LEAF, Renault Zoe, Volkswagen Golf E and the BMW i3. Affordable, but limited in range to around 130-150 miles.

The Hyundai Kona EV comes with a choice of two different capacity batteries – 39kwh or 64kwh. The latter, according to Hyundai, gives you a maximum range of 300 miles. And here’s the out with the best real-world range thing, the Kona EV really does go at 259 miles. At £32,845 the a long way on a charge. 64kwh Hyundai is half the price

In a recent test between all of the I-pace yet has better range. available EVS carried out by What The 39kwh version has a range Car? magazine, the Kona came nearer 150 miles which puts it Hyundai Kona EV Crossover

Price: £36,345

(£32,845 after grant) Engine: Electric, 64 kwh battery, 201bhp 0-62 mph: 7.6sec Range: 300 miles into the same class as the Nissan and Renault. Yes, this Kona is cheaper at £27,250 but I don’t see the point.

A word about money before we carry on. As you’ve probably

Citroen has announced pricing for its new C5 Aircross SUV. The newcomer offers three trim levels: Feel, Flair and Flair Plus – and the cheapest is the Flair which is powered by a 130bhp petrol engine at £23,225.Vital statistics include a luggage area that holds 720 litres seats up, and 1,630 litres with them folded flat. Also, as you’d hope with a Citroen, there are loads of clever storage spaces.Order books for the new C5 Aircross open on December 3 with an official on-sale date of February 4.