Hyundai Kona Electric Long Range

Overview

The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric Long Range was a cracking little subcompact SUV, a popular choice for those dipping their toes into the EV world. This final model year of its generation packed a punch with its impressive real-world range and zippy performance. While now discontinued, you can snag one on the used market for around $13,500. The Long Range trim, as the name suggests, was all about maximizing those miles between charges, making it a practical and fun-to-drive electric option for city cruising and even some light road-tripping adventures in the US.

What's New for 2023?

For 2023, the Kona Electric Long Range was mostly a carryover, having received a slick facelift and tech upgrades in 2022. This meant it still rocked that smooth, grille-less front end and a spruced-up cabin. Key features on this trim included a brilliant 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an equally large 10.25-inch touchscreen for navigation and infotainment. Rear USB ports also became standard, adding a touch more convenience for passengers. Essentially, 2023 buyers got a well-honed package in its final year before an all-new Kona generation rolled out.

Design & Exterior

The 2023 Kona Electric Long Range sported a distinctive, modern look thanks to its 2022 refresh. Gone was the traditional grille, replaced by a sleek, aerodynamic front fascia that cleverly housed the CCS Type 1 charge port. Signature split headlights and funky daytime running lights gave it a unique road presence. The Long Range often came with stylish 17-inch alloy wheels. Dimension-wise, it measured 165.6 inches long, 70.9 inches wide (sans mirrors), and 61.8 inches tall, making it a perfect size for nipping around town and squeezing into tight parking spots.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Kona Electric Long Range offered a surprisingly upscale and tech-forward cabin for its class. While not super luxurious, materials felt durable and the design was modern, featuring a neat push-button shifter. Front passengers enjoyed ample space, though the rear could be a tad snug for taller adults. Tech-wise, the Long Range boasted dual 10.25-inch screens – one for the driver's display and one for infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cargo space was decent at 19.2 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with seats folded. No frunk here, though!

Performance & Driving Experience

This Kona EV Long Range was a proper pocket rocket! Its front-wheel-drive setup, powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, delivered a zesty 150 kW (around 201 horsepower) and a hefty 291 lb-ft of instant torque. That meant a brisk 0-60 mph sprint in just 7.6 seconds – plenty quick for darting through city traffic. It felt agile and easy to maneuver, with a generally comfortable ride. Drivers could also tweak the regenerative braking using paddles, allowing for efficient one-pedal driving shenanigans once you got the hang of it.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Long Range trim lived up to its name with a solid 64 kWh usable battery pack. Green Cars Compare calculated a real-world range of around 250 miles, with an impressive efficiency of 3.91 mi/kWh. For home charging, the standard 7.2 kW on-board AC charger could top it up fully in about 9-10 hours. On the go, its 400V architecture and CCS Type 1 port allowed for DC fast charging at up to 77 kW, juicing it from 10-80% in under an hour at a compatible station.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Hyundai packed the 2023 Kona Electric Long Range with a solid suite of safety gear. While specific US NHTSA ratings for the EV weren't always front and center, its Euro NCAP counterpart scored a top 5-star rating. Standard on this higher trim, you'd typically find Hyundai's SmartSense package: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go also made longer journeys a breeze, adding a welcome layer of confidence and convenience for US drivers.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai’s warranty coverage for the 2023 Kona Electric Long Range was pretty stellar, offering great peace of mind. Buyers got a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which crucially included the electric motor. The high-voltage battery was also covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles, typically against degradation below 70% capacity. Plus, Hyundai threw in 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance, sweetening the deal on this already reliable and cost-effective EV package for US owners.