By Stephen Macharia
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a crossover SUV that offers an impressive driving range and a refined driving experience. As an all-electric vehicle, it produces zero emissions, making it an eco-friendly choice for drivers who prioritize sustainability.
It has a decent range covering 485 kilometres on a single charge, making it the only electric car in Kenya covering long distances. The Kona, built on the same platform as the Kia e-Niro, comes with leather seats and an aesthetically appealing interior.
This car is powered by an electric motor that delivers 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. It has a 64-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that gives it an EPA-rated range of up to 301 miles (485 kilometres) on a single charge. The vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, which is quite impressive for an electric SUV.
Kona Electric is a practical cross-over powered by one electric motor. However, the Kona Electric available in Kenya comes with two powertrain choices – a 134bhp motor with a 39kWh battery and claimed range of 200 Kilometers or a 201bhp motor with a 64kWh battery covering 475 kilometres.
“It produces instant torque that makes it feel faster than its equivalent petrol-powered unit- the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol Hyundai Kona. This car is suited to urban driving but it is impressive on highways as well,” says Silvanas Wambua, the Sales Manager at Caetano, the official importer and representative of Hyundai and Renault vehicles in Kenya.
The car has three available trim levels: SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate. However, one trim level is available in Kenya. It comes equipped, with a 10.25-inch infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay / Android Auto, keyless entry, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and automatic headlights.
Hyundai Kona is good to drive as a Crossover vehicle. It accelerates fast and produces a compact ride devoid of noise or vibrations. It has super noise cancellation levels and like any other electric vehicle, the KONA Electric does not have a gearbox. This eliminates engine braking. Instead, the car uses a configurable regenerative braking system also used to charge its battery. A driver can use the paddles attached to the steering wheel to slow the vehicle, producing the effect of shifting down gears on an internal combustion car.
The Kona Electric has stylish touches including a blanked-off grille fitted with a charge port flap located at the top.
The look and feel of The Kona Electric resembles that of its non-electric version. Its dashboard and the finish of the upholstery are strikingly appealing. One distinct departure from other EVs is that this car has a bank of buttons used for selecting the drive, replacing a traditional gear lever. This makes the car appear to have more space on the front part.
Value for money
Like with all-electric cars, the car as low running costs compared to conventional internal combustion cars. The lithium ion battery replaces the fuel tank but costs about KES 1500 to charge to capacity. Without a conventional engine, the car does not need routine servicing, cutting costs on fuel, lubricants, engine air filters, and oil filters. The car has very few moving parts which means there is little wear and tear.
As standard, The Kona Electric comes with two chargers; a Type 2 charger and a three-pin charging cable. The Kona Electric comes with a host of other features that make it a great value for its price. However, a touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone integration, keyless entry, and a rearview camera come as standard features. The car also has a premium sound system and leather seats. Higher trim levels have a sunroof and heated seats.
The Kona Electric has a spacious and modern interior that is well-designed and functional. The vehicle can seat up to five passengers comfortably, and there is plenty of headroom and legroom in both the front and back seats.
The Kona Electric is powered by an electric motor that delivers 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. It has a 64-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that gives it an EPA-rated range of up to 258 miles on a single charge. The vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, which is quite impressive for an electric SUV.§
Retailing at Sh 9 million, the Kona Electric, admittedly not a top-of-the-range Cross Over vehicle, doesn’t fall far from a reliable unit that will make you forget the astonishingly high fuel prices.
“Part of the problem we are facing selling this car is its price. We are lobbying the government to reduce taxes for electric vehicles for the next five years. That will accelerate the adoption of EVs in Kenya,” Caetano’s Sales Manager Silvanas Wambua told AutoNews in an interview.
Boot
For a car its size, Hyundai engineers must have been caught up between passenger comfort and luggage-carrying capacity. But they did a good job by allocating 332 litres of boot space before knocking down the rear seats. This may trail other cars in the segment, including the Honda Vezel and Toyota CHR which boast of 448 litres and 377 litres of boot space respectively.