2024 HYUNDAI KONA EV WINTER TEST TEVADRIVE

EV Channels Review

The 2024 Hyundai Kona EV represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, primarily due to its increased size, bringing it closer to the Niro EV. The reviewer highlights the new design, including the distinctive unibrow light bar. However, the "Ultimate" trim, priced at $51,000, is noted for still featuring a manual liftgate and a less-than-ideal cargo space for its price point. Interiorly, the dual-screen setup is familiar, but the lack of one-pedal driving and creep mode disablement is a notable drawback compared to other Hyundai/Kia EVs. Winter testing revealed a substantial range deficit, with real-world highway consumption reaching 19 kWh/100km (down from a rated 385km), resulting in a range of just over 300km in cold conditions. Preconditioning the battery was found to be inefficient, increasing consumption without significant charging speed benefits. While the Kona EV offers good tech features like adaptive cruise and auto-steer, its high price point, especially compared to the gas version or other EVs like the Ioniq 5/6 and Tesla Model 3, makes its value proposition questionable for those not on a strict budget.