Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range

Overview

The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range was a zippy little electric crossover, perfect for city slickers! Though primarily an EU offering and now discontinued, this entry-level EV packed a surprising punch for its size. With a 39.2 kWh usable battery, it promised accessible electric motoring. Its standout feature was balancing practical EV tech with Hyundai's quirky Kona styling. Official US pricing for this specific trim wasn't established, making it a rare bird on pre-owned listings if found imported. It aimed to make EV ownership more attainable, focusing on essential range and features for daily commutes.

What's New for 2021?

For its final year, the 2021 Kona Electric Standard Range didn't get a massive shake-up, carrying over its proven formula. It missed out on the larger infotainment screens and sharper exterior refresh that graced later Kona EV model years. Think of it as the classic Kona EV experience – straightforward, efficient, and a bit funky before the big makeover. The focus remained on its accessible electric powertrain and compact SUV practicality, making it a no-fuss entry into Hyundai's electric lineup before this particular variant bowed out of production.

Design & Exterior

Rocking Hyundai’s pre-refresh Kona look, the Standard Range was all about distinctive style! It featured that unique closed-off grille specific to the EV and funky split-headlight design that turned heads. Standard trims usually meant slightly more modest alloy wheels, but it still looked modern and ready for urban adventures. Dimension-wise, it’s a tidy package at 164.6 inches long, 70.9 inches wide (mirrors folded!), and 61.8 inches tall, making it a breeze to park. Its compact footprint didn't skimp on personality!

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside, and the Kona Standard Range offered a functional and surprisingly well-equipped cabin for five. Materials felt durable, though perhaps not as plush as top-tier trims. You got a decent infotainment screen, likely an 8-incher with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, plus a digital driver’s display – pretty neat! For your stuff, there's 19.2 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a useful 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats down. No frunk on this one, but still plenty practical for daily duties!

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let 'Standard Range' fool ya – this Kona EV was nippy! With its 100 kW (around 134 hp) front-wheel-drive Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), it delivered 291 lb-ft of instant torque, zipping from 0-60 mph in about 9.5 seconds. Perfect for darting through city traffic with a top speed of 96 mph! The ride was generally comfy, soaking up bumps well for a small SUV. Plus, you got adjustable regenerative braking, so you could choose how much energy you wanted to send back to the battery when slowing down.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Kona Standard Range packed a 39.2 kWh usable battery, good for a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of 161 miles – solid for daily hops! Efficiency was a strong suit at around 4.11 mi/kWh. At home on a Level 2 charger, its standard 7.2 kW on-board unit could juice it up fully in roughly 5.5 to 6 hours. For quicker top-ups, it handled DC fast charging at up to 44 kW via its US-friendly CCS Type 1 port (typically front-mounted), getting you from 10-80% in about 35-40 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Hyundai didn't skimp on safety! While US NHTSA ratings for this specific trim are unavailable, its European counterpart, Euro NCAP, awarded it a top 5-star rating, which is reassuring. The Kona EV typically came loaded with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite. Standard goodies often included Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning. Higher-spec features like Blind-Spot Collision Warning might have been optional or on posher trims, but the essentials were usually covered, keeping you secure on the road.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai’s warranty is one of the best in the biz! Owners could typically expect a 5-year/60,000-mile basic limited warranty and an awesome 10-year/100,000-mile warranty covering the electric powertrain, including that all-important battery pack. Some model years also benefited from Hyundai's complimentary maintenance for the first few years or 36,000 miles, covering things like tire rotations. Generally, the Kona EV has proven to be a reliable runner, giving buyers excellent peace of mind for an electric compact SUV.