Totally redesigned, the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric does its work silently, safely, and with zero tailpipe emissions. Its maximum estimated range of 260 miles puts the subcompact Kona Electric on par with compact SUV electric vehicles (EVs), like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Kia Niro; however, the Kona Electric currently has no direct competitor. Consequently, if you want a mainstream subcompact electric SUV, the Kona Electric is really the only game in town.
Tip: If your goal is getting better mileage while burning less fossil fuel and emitting fewer emissions in a small, more affordable package, we suggest a compact SUV hybrid like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, the Honda CR-V Hybrid, or even the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid.
Although there is also a 2024 Hyundai Kona with an internal combustion engine (ICE), which we detail elsewhere, Hyundai created this platform first for the Kona Electric. It then adapted the internal combustion engine to it. We argue that, at first glance, it’s easy to mistake the ICE Kona for an EV. We like the Kona Electric for its stealthy operation, the wealth of standard features, sensible pricing, and comprehensive array of advanced safety features.
Let’s check out what separates the Kona Electric’s three trim levels from one another.
Prices provided are current at the time of publishing.
What’s New:
Hyundai has fully redesigned the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric.
Our Recommendation:
Although the best-selling Hyundai Kona Electric is the Limited trim, we’d probably stick with the more affordable SEL, primarily because it has the extra range and horsepower of the Limited for thousands less. Moreover, it provides all the content of the entry-level SE and a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and more.
Kona Electric SE
Starts at $32,675 | See listings
- 197-mile range
- LED Projector headlights
- Auto on/off headlights
- High-beam assist
- Heated power exterior mirrors
- 12.3-inch touchscreen
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- Dual-zone auto climate control
- Adaptive cruise control
- Proximity keyless entry
- Wi-Fi hot spot capability
- Lane-keeping assist
- See more
Kona Electric SEL
Starts at $36,675 | See listings
- 260-mile range
- Roof rails
- 8-way power driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Rear privacy glass
- See more
Kona Electric Limited
Starts at $41,045 | See listings
- Satin chrome exterior accents
- Hands-free power rear liftgate
- Faux-leather seating
- Ventilated front seats
- Bose audio system
- Surround-view camera
- Wireless charging
- Remote Smart Parking Assist
- See more
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE: $32,675
Helping hold down the SE’s base price is a lower power array with lower voltage and less battery capacity. Its output is 133 horsepower, with an estimated maximum range of 197 miles. Four driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow) allow the driver to pick how the Kona Electric responds to throttle input. Every Kona Electric has front-wheel drive. Hyundai doesn’t offer an all-wheel-drive option.
The charging time from 10% to 100% on a 240-volt Level 2 charger is five hours, and it takes 43 minutes to bring it from 10% to 80% on a Level 3 DC fast charger. The charge-port door is located on the driver’s side of the vehicle near the headlight.
A function of the regenerative braking system that helps fuel the battery by recapturing energy created through braking is the Kona Electric i-Pedal. This is a one-pedal driving option that a driver can access using the steering-wheel-mounted paddles for adjusting the degree of brake regeneration.
Even in this entry-level SE trim, the Kona Electric is impressively well-stocked with standard features and cutting-edge technology. For example, LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights — all with auto on/off — are standard. The list includes heated outboard mirrors, cloth seating surfaces, manually adjustable front seats, and a 60/40-split folding/reclining rear seat.
The standard 6-speaker audio system features HD Radio, satellite-radio capability, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and four USB-C ports (two in front and two for the rear seat). Also included are a 12.3-inch touchscreen and navigation. By the way, the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will become wireless through an over-the-air (OTA) upgrade in late 2023. Obviously, OTA software-upgrade capability is also an SE standard technology, as is Bluetooth connectivity. Bluelink+ is the new version of Hyundai’s connected car service, and it’s free to the original owner for life.
A dual-zone automatic climate control system manages air temperatures using a set-and-forget technology. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel provides haptic feedback for some advanced safety features. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster/driver information display keeps the driver appraised of the Kona Electric’s operation.
Adaptive cruise control with full stop/go, speed limit assist (warns the driver when exceeding a posted speed limit), Safe Exit Assist (warns exiting passengers of danger from approaching traffic), and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (notifies you when the vehicle directly ahead has started moving after a full stop) are included, too.
Other driver-assist and advanced safety technologies are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. Lane-following assist (helps the Kona stay centered in its lane by following the lane markings when adaptive cruise control is engaged) and driver-attention monitoring are standard as well.
Once a shopper picks a trim level, the only other decision to be made is the exterior color. There are no factory-installed options; however, the dealer offers a few accessories like carpeted floor mats and mud guards.
Adding the $1,335 destination fee to the Kona Electric SE base price brings the total to $34,010. A 60-month loan with $0 down at a 5% financing rate works out to $642 monthly. See 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE models for sale near you.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE includes:
12.3-inch touchscreen – This large color display is easy to see and use as the control panel for the infotainment and navigation system.
i-Pedal – Hyundai-speak for one-pedal driving. It allows the driver to brake the vehicle slowly or even completely stop it by releasing pressure on the accelerator pedal.
Smart Cruise control – This is Hyundai’s adaptive cruise control. Once set at the desired speed, the vehicle will automatically slow and accelerate to stay within a safe distance of the vehicle ahead. If necessary, it will even bring the vehicle to a full stop.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL: $36,675
Stepping up to the SEL gains you the higher-capacity battery, an additional 68 horsepower (201 hp total), and another 63 miles of estimated range to 260 miles. Getting the battery to 100% charge requires about six hours and 15 minutes with a Level 2 charger and only 43 minutes to get it to 80% with a Level 3 charger.
Other gains include an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, roof rails, heated front seats, second-row air vents, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also standard are rear-window privacy glass and aero wiper blades that improve wiper effectiveness.
With the $1,335 destination fee, the SEL costs $38,010. Using our $0 down and 5% APR financing scenario, the monthly payment totals $717. See 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL models for sale near you.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL includes:
8-way power driver’s seat – It makes finding a comfortable driving position much easier and consists of a power lumbar adjustment to prevent fatigue.
Heated front seats – Nothing better than a warm bottom on frigid mornings.
Larger battery capacity – With its additional battery capacity, the SEL delivers a longer range (260 miles) and extra horsepower.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited: $41,045
With the Limited, Hyundai rolls out the red carpet. Outside, it gets satin chrome accents instead of body color and black. Other enhancements include a power sunroof, a hands-free power rear liftgate, faux-leather seating, ventilated front seats, a wireless smartphone charger, a heated steering wheel, and LED interior lighting. The auto-dimming rearview mirror reacts to headlights approaching from the rear, automatically dimming to reduce glare.
Hyundai Digital Key (allows a smartphone to be the key), a Blind Spot View Monitor (a lane-changing aid that displays a live view of the blind spots on either side), and Remote Parking Assist (allows you to pull into a tight parking space from outside the car) are standard also. One of our favorite Limited upgrades is the 8-speaker Bose audio system.
Including the $1,335 destination fee, the total price for the Limited is $42,380. With $0 down, financing for 60 months at 5% interest works out to roughly $800 per month. See 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited models for sale near you.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited includes:
Remote Parking Assist – You can remotely pull the Kona Electric into and out of tight parking spaces using the key fob.
Ventilated front seats – These cooling front seats are a favorite in sweltering temperatures. They cool as well as help keep your backside dry.
Hands-free power rear liftgate – With a swipe of your foot beneath the rear bumper, the power rear liftgate automatically opens.
