Skip advert
Advertisement

2021 Hyundai Kona Electric on sale from £30,125

Design, tech and safety upgrades keep the Hyundai Kona Electric fresh

  • Revised styling with five extra colours
  • Improved infotainment and safety tech
  • 39.2kWh and 64kWh battery options

The new Hyundai Kona Electric is now on sale. It’s been facelifted in line with the standard Hyundai Kona range, with updates inside and out and additional safety equipment fitted. After the plug-in car grant has been applied, the electric Kona starts at £30,125, a similar price to the Nissan Leaf, Kia e-Niro and Volkswagen ID.3.

Two different battery sizes and three trim levels are available. Mid-range Premium gets the choice of both 39kWh and 64kWh batteries, while the trim levels on either side are only available with one or the other.

2021 Hyundai Kona Electric UK prices and specs

The tweaked trim level range starts with SE Connect, which is £25 cheaper than before. It includes adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, keyless entry and start, a premium audio system, a digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with sat nav and smartphone mirroring.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Premium adds heated front seats, LED headlights, wireless phone charging and blind-spot warning, while top-spec Ultimate includes a head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated and powered front seats, and a sunroof. Premium costs £31,475 with the smaller battery or £35,225 with the bigger battery. Ultimate starts at £37,375.

Design

Hyundai has concentrated on distancing the Kona Electric from the petrol and hybrid versions, so it now has a more distinct look. With no requirement for a large grille, it has a smooth nose, improving the aerodynamics for greater efficiency. 

There are new bumpers, LED headlights and daytime running lights to keep the car up-to-date, and a pair of vertical air intakes at either side of the front bumper have been designed to reduce turbulent air in the front wheel arches, further cutting drag. The black body cladding has been painted the same colour as the car's bodywork, and there's a new set of rear lights. Buyers will also have twice as many colours to choose from, with 10 now available in total.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside, the Kona Electric will catch up with other versions, getting the latest 10.25-inch infotainment display and digital instruments, with new software featuring crisp graphics, logical menus, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hyundai has also fitted an ambient lighting system to lift the interior at night, while black or two-tone grey cloth or leather upholstery is available.

Safety

Safety kit has been bolstered for the facelifted Kona Electric too, with new features including blind-spot and rear cross-traffic avoidance systems. There's also a safe exit system designed to warn passengers if there's approaching traffic as they go to open a door and get out.

Electric powertrains

Just as before, the Kona Electric is offered with a choice of two different powertrains, designed to suit different budgets. The cheaper option is a 39.2kWh battery paired with a 134bhp electric motor, providing a top speed of 96mph and a range of up to 189 miles.

If you want to go further or faster, there's also a 64kWh version with a 201bhp electric motor, increasing the Kona Electric's range to 300 miles and its top speed to 104mph. Using a public 100kW fast-charger, the battery can be replenished to 80% in 47 minutes.

Read our in-depth review of the outgoing Hyundai Kona Electric, or check out its main rivals: the Kia e-Niro, Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen ID.3.
 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Skoda Elroq review – a great-value compact electric SUV
Skoda Elroq
In-depth reviews
9 Dec 2024

Skoda Elroq review – a great-value compact electric SUV

Citroen C4 and e-C4 get a striking redesign and big price cut for 2025
Citroen C4 front quarter
News
9 Dec 2024

Citroen C4 and e-C4 get a striking redesign and big price cut for 2025

New electric Peugeot E-408 only costs £675 more than the hybrid
Peugeot E-408 front quarter
News
9 Dec 2024

New electric Peugeot E-408 only costs £675 more than the hybrid

New Smart #6 electric hatchback could replace the Mercedes A-Class
New Smart 6 EV
News
6 Dec 2024

New Smart #6 electric hatchback could replace the Mercedes A-Class

Most Popular

Jaguar Type 00 concept revealed: a bold electric future for the British brand
Jaguar Type 00
News
3 Dec 2024

Jaguar Type 00 concept revealed: a bold electric future for the British brand

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
6 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you
Vauxhall Frontera front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
5 Dec 2024

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024