The Hyundai Kona Electric is the first compact SUV to run without petrol

The electrification of engines is becoming a benchmark in the car industry and it is an element that is spreading to all types of vehicles and, at the same time, segments. This is something that is gradually being reflected in brands, which are including a 100% electric car among their models, something Hyundai has been hinting at for some time, but which has finally become a reality. That’s right, the long-awaited Kona Electric is now a reality and it comes with some very interesting new features.

The world of compact SUVs is revolutionising the current market, since they are presented as a range of vehicles with a perfect balance for tackling urban environments and making long journeys. However, there are companies such as Hyundai that have wanted to experiment even further with this type of car, and the result has been positive. From this idea the new 100% electric Kona was born, and it is presented as the ideal candidate to become the citizen’s vehicle of choice.

Without a doubt, the most impressive point of this new electric SUV is precisely that, its mechanics, since on the aesthetic level it does not present major changes. One of the main new elements we find in the design of the Hyundai Kona Electric is its front grille, which is completely closed and gives the Korean crossover a cleaner and more futuristic look. This is also implemented with a new design of LED headlights, which keep the SUV’s modern line intact.

As for the cabin, we do not find any outrageous differences, but there are certain interesting aspects that we should highlight. For example, the centre console eliminates the traditional gearbox and in its place we find a button panel that takes care of housing the switches for the gear selector. This allows the Kona to offer a considerable amount of new space, since saving on the usual elements of a combustion vehicle generously helps to achieve this goal.

Another area that changes in the Hyundai Kona Electric is the instrument panel, which becomes fully digital and provides information on speed, battery charge and the different driving modes. But, as is logical, the most interesting thing is found in the heart that brings the Korean SUV to life, since it is capable of delivering more power than most combustion vehicles.

Specifically, we find two variants within the new Kona Electric: the entry-level version with a battery capable of delivering a respectable 136 CV, and the top-of-the-range model, which produces up to 204 CV of power. On the other hand, both powertrains offer a range of 395 kilometres and 470 kilometres respectively. This allows Kona Electric users to enjoy long journeys without using a single drop of petrol and to make numerous trips around the city. At the same time, the Electric Hyundai is capable of reaching a top speed of 167 km/h and accelerating from 0 to 100 in just 7.6 seconds.

However, to enjoy a full charge, we will need to keep our SUV plugged in for 9 hours and 40 minutes, a time that is reduced to 6 hours and 10 minutes if we opt for the more modest variant. But if we have access to a fast charging point, we will only need 54 minutes for 80% of our lithium polymer battery to be operational.

For the time being, Hyundai has not made any statements about the price of the Kona Electric, but we do know it will be present at Geneva alongside the brand’s other new models. Without a doubt, this vehicle will not only represent a revolution for the Korean firm, but also for the whole compact SUV segment, since it is declared to be the first to rely on electricity as its energy source.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverHyundai Kona18 versions · from 30,190 €