HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC - WIPES THE FLOOR WITH THE LEAF!

EV Channels Review

The Hyundai Kona Electric is presented as a significant leap towards mass EV adoption, offering a compelling package that the reviewer believes "wipes the floor" with competitors like the Nissan Leaf. Key strengths highlighted include its impressive real-world range, with the larger battery version achieving around 300 miles, and its significantly better efficiency compared to the Leaf, attributed partly to effective thermal battery management. The reviewer praises the responsive infotainment system, comfortable interior for front passengers, and the intuitive paddle shifters for regenerative braking, calling them a "cracking idea." However, the Kona Electric is not without its drawbacks. The reviewer notes a "cheapness" in some interior plastics and a brake pedal feel that is described as "on or off" and not progressive. A significant criticism is the excessive power and torque for a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, leading to wheel spin even in Eco mode, suggesting it might be "too much power for its own good" and that a lesser-powered version might be more drivable. Rear passenger space is deemed adequate but not generous for taller individuals, and a specific design flaw is identified where a large cubby hole under the center console is difficult to access due to seat placement. Despite these points, the reviewer expresses a strong liking for the car, considering it an "evolutionary step" in the EV market, especially given its price point relative to other EVs like Tesla.