Hyundai Kona Electric Long Range

Overview

The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric Long Range was a cracking compact electric SUV, offering a brilliant blend of real-world range, user-friendly tech, and a zippy driving experience. As the final iteration of the super popular first generation, it's now a savvy buy on the used market, with this Long Range trim typically fetching around €22,900. It packed a serious punch for its size, making it a top choice for city slickers and those venturing further afield, boasting a great spec straight out of the box.

What's New for 2023?

For 2023, the Kona Electric Long Range was in its final model year before an all-new generation arrived. This means it carried over all the nifty updates from its significant 2021 facelift, including a sleeker, more modern front-end design without the traditional grille, plus refreshed headlights and taillights. Inside, it benefited from the upgraded digital displays. Essentially, 2023 buyers got the most polished version of this highly successful first-gen model, a proven package at the peak of its development before bowing out.

Design & Exterior

The 2023 Kona Electric Long Range sported a distinctive and funky design that really stood out. Its smooth, grille-less front fascia and split headlight arrangement gave it a futuristic vibe. This trim usually featured stylish 17-inch alloy wheels and full LED lighting. Compact dimensions made it a doddle to park, measuring 4205 mm in length, 1800 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and 1570 mm in height. The charge port was cleverly hidden in the nose, making head-in parking at chargers super convenient.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Kona Long Range offered a well-appointed and surprisingly spacious cabin for a compact SUV, seating five. The 2021 facelift brought a smart 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a responsive 10.25-inch central touchscreen, both standard on this trim, running Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Material quality was decent, with a focus on durability. Boot space was a practical 332 litres, expanding to a useful 1114 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Sadly, there was no frunk for extra cable storage.

Performance & Driving Experience

This Kona was a proper pocket rocket! The Long Range model, with its front-wheel-drive setup and single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), delivered a punchy 150 kW (204 PS) and a hefty 395 Nm of instant torque. This translated to a brisk 0-100 km/h sprint in just 7.9 seconds, making it feel really eager off the line. The ride was generally comfortable, and its compact size made it agile around town. Adjustable regenerative braking levels allowed for efficient one-pedal driving antics.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Long Range Kona packed a very capable 64 kWh (usable) battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of around 403 km – plenty for most journeys. Its efficiency was impressive at 6.3 km/kWh. For charging, it featured a CCS Type 2 port. AC charging via the standard 11 kW on-board charger could top it up from 0-100% in roughly 6-7 hours. Hook it up to a DC fast charger, and it could gulp down power at up to 77 kW, taking it from 10-80% in about 50-54 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Hyundai didn't skimp on safety, and the Kona Electric proudly wore a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. The Long Range trim came generously equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense suite. This typically included Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist were also often standard, making it a reassuring family chariot.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

In Europe, Hyundai typically backed the Kona Electric with an excellent 5-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty. The crucial high-voltage battery received even longer coverage, usually 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever came first, often guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity. Maintenance on EVs like the Kona is generally minimal compared to petrol cars, mainly involving checks on brakes, tyres, and cabin filters, keeping running costs pleasingly low and reliability high.