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Now, there is nothing wrong with buying a new Toyota or Hyundai, as these are cars that are known for their quality and operational reliability, but they are not the car brands that you most often see at car meets or on car forums for Enthusiasts discussed.
Instead, the owners are people who brag about how little they spend on cars, have no idea where the repair shop is, and like to be snobbish.
Regardless, they have primary needs, secondary needs, and perhaps luxury needs when it comes to cars. The new Hyundai Kona does not cover the latter, even if it is well equipped, but with a range of over 50 miles and a price of under 400,000 NOK, both primary and secondary needs are more than covered.
The only ones that can reach these numbers are the Tesla Model 3 and MG4, both rear-wheel drive, while the Kona swears by front-wheel drive.
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With a double curved screen as well as quick buttons, switches and a separate panel for the air conditioning, the driver environment is pleasant. Photo: Andreas Scheel / Finansavisen
Bigger and better
According to the Road Traffic Information Council, almost 18,000 Konas have been registered in Norway since 2018, and the number will rise with the introduction of the second generation of the car.
Longer, higher and wider means more space, both for passengers and luggage. The car also has a three-part rear seat, a good luggage compartment with space for charging cables and a trunk, although the payload is relatively low at 350 kilograms, which many electric cars have to struggle with.
The battery is the same size as before at 65.4 kWh net, but the range has been increased from 484 to 514 kilometers. The test car is a premium version with 19-inch rims, so you have to suffer for the beauty and make do with 454 kilometers. The price of the top model is also around NOK 400,000 at ten percent, but the level of equipment is very high.
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Steering wheel and seat heating, cooling, cameras, parking assistant and driving setup have their own buttons for easy operation. Photo: Andreas Scheel / Finansavisen
Lots of equipment
Advanced LED lights, level 2 cruise control, tons of cameras and remote parking assist are just a few of the things you’ll enjoy while on the road. Then sit in comfortable power leather seats with heating and cooling, rear seat heating, 64-color mood lighting, windshield display and a great Bose stereo system.
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Most comfort and safety equipment is also included, making it easy to feel comfortable on board. You have to live with some plastic and toy aluminum, but both the dashboard and the doors are also made of soft materials.
The power of the electric motor was increased from 150 to 160 kW or from 204 to 218 hp, which often says more. At the same time, the 100 kilograms more increase the acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour from 7.6 to 7.8 seconds. With 19-inch rims it increases by another three tenths, but the grip and driving characteristics then improve.
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The rims are special and with 19 inch rims it looks good. Photo: Andreas Scheel / Finansavisen
Smooth driving
Of course the Kona is not a sports car, but if you don’t pretend to be, the car weighs 1,760 kilograms and is more fun to drive than many other, heavier electric cars. The Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow driving modes mainly affect throttle response and power delivery, but a three-stage ESP system gives you more control if you want. Winter tires contribute to better drivability on slippery surfaces, but also to poorer road grip when you test the limits.
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While driving you have the option of recuperation with practical levers on the steering wheel and, if desired, a science fiction driving sound. The air conditioning automatically circulates the air in tunnels and when you use the indicators, cameras show the blind spots in the dashboard.
The touchscreen is intuitive and comprehensive, but requires a lot of pressing and scrolling through menus. Among other things, if you want to switch off some of the numerous warning systems for speed, direction and fatigue. Several quick buttons make operation a little easier, while the gear lever on the steering column is a bit of a hindrance for long-legged people. A clear climate panel and a physical volume switch make operation easier on the go.
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The shape looks good, but the rear fenders with taillights are not so good. Photo: Andreas Scheel / Finansavisen
Weak loading
KEY INFO: Hyundai Kona Electric
Powertrain: Electric motor
FWDHK/kW/Nm: 218/160/255
0-100 km/t: 7.8 seconds
Top speed: 172 km/h
Range (WLTP): 514 km
Battery capacity, net: 65.4 kWh
Maximum charging effect: 100 kW
Curb weight without driver: 1,698 kg
L/W/H: 436/182/158 cm
Consumption: 14.7 kWh/100 km
Trunk: 466/1,300 liters
Maximum trailer weight with brake: 750 kg
Maximum payload: 350kg
Prices: From (48.4 kWh) 352,900 NOK. This model: NOK 387,900. With equipment: NOK 442,900
We like that:
- Taken
- Range
- Equipment level
We don’t like this:
- Loading speed
- Menu loot
- Strange screens
Design: The shape and light look good, but the screens have a strange design.
Driving environment: A bit plasticky and a complicated menu, but comfortable and well-equipped.
Driving characteristics: Comfortable and easy to drive with multiple setups, but not a sports car.
Performance: Not fast in the world of electric cars, but on par.
Space: Larger and more flexible thanks to the three-part rear seat, trunk and charging cable compartment.
Great value for money: The ratio of price, range, space and features is absolutely first-class.
Verdict: 6. Not a fantastic car, but on a modest budget it’s brilliant.
The appearance has been significantly changed compared to its somewhat boring predecessor, with pixel-inspired light lines at the front and back. There are also pixels in the grill and diffuser, the rims are striking and the special wheel arches with integrated lights at the front and rear are not as successful as the lines and design otherwise.
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As before, the charging power is a maximum of 100 kW and is therefore far below the larger siblings Ioniq5 and Ioniq6, which have a whopping 220 kW. This means that you have to allow around 40 minutes to charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent.
The consolation is that the range is relatively good, but the Hyundai Kona also has to struggle with the winter cold. The test car has a WLTP range of 454 kilometers; with a full battery, the display showed 370 kilometers. Several trips in double-digit cold temperatures and a lot of highway driving showed us that we could drive 330 kilometers before the battery was empty.
That doesn’t sound like much, but if you often drive further than Gålå, Kristiansand or Gothenburg in winter, the Hyundai Kona might not be the car for you.
This article was first published in Finansavisen Motor.
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