Summary
– Hyundai Kona Electric receives good remarks, offers good overall value
– EPA rating increased to 261 miles, WLTP estimate at 319 miles
– New 2024 model has 64.8 kWh battery, updated styling
– Vehicle tested for efficiency at 75 mph highway speeds
– Achieved 70.5% of EPA rated range in test, good for a small electric Hyundai
Article
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric has received positive reviews, offering good value overall compared to other small electric crossovers like the Volvo EX30. The car’s combined range is rated at 261 miles by the EPA, an increase of three miles over the previous model year. European testing estimates the range at 319 miles. To test the efficiency of the Kona at extended 75 mph highway speeds, YouTube creator Kris Rifa conducted a test drive and shared his general impressions about the vehicle and its charging capabilities.
The 2024 Kona Electric is set to launch in the US market after being available in Europe for some time. The long-range model has a battery capacity of 64.8 kWh, slightly more than the outgoing model. The new generation Kona Electric also features updated exterior and interior styling. During Kris Rifa’s highway test, he noted that the conditions were optimal with mild temperatures, dry roads, and minimal traffic. He was impressed with the vehicle’s efficiency initially, achieving an average consumption of 20.3 kWh per 62 miles in mixed driving conditions.
Despite the favorable conditions, Kris observed some wind and road noise at high speeds, though he acknowledged that it was not unexpected for a vehicle in this price range. As the test continued against the wind on the return trip, the Kona Electric’s efficiency was slightly hampered, resulting in an average consumption of 21.4 kWh per 62 miles. Kris also tested the vehicle’s charging capabilities, noting that it was able to pull 90 kW from a 150 kW charging station at a 19% state of charge.
Based on the Kona’s pack size and efficiency, Kris estimated that the vehicle could reach 184 miles of range, slightly longer than the vehicle’s initial estimate at the conclusion of the test. While the Kona Electric’s efficiency did not surpass expectations, it still performed reasonably well on the highway test. Ultimately, the vehicle achieved 70.5% of the City/Highway combined range estimate based on the EPA rating of 261 miles. Overall, the Hyundai Kona Electric showed promise in terms of efficiency and charging capabilities during the test.
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