Used Hyundai Kona Electric Buying Guide: an electric car bargain? | Electrifying

#konaelectric #hyundai #electriccars

When Hyundai introduced the Kona Electric 2018, it went fairly unnoticed. Electric cars were still considered to be quirky choices and accounted for a tiny fraction of new car sales. But along with its sister car, the Kia eNiro, the Kona Electric soon developed a loyal fan base. Here was a car that could offer 280 miles of driving range, incredible efficiency and a loaded spec sheet. For a long time, it stood head and shoulders above all its rivals for value.

And better than that, when the UK Government was really pushing electric in 2018, it was offered with a £4,500 government plug-in car grant - so that was money straight back into your pocket - for a car with the most range that qualified for the grant at the time. Suddenly, charging infrastructure wasn’t so much of a problem, and longer commutes and trips became easy. Well, easi…er. 

And that was mainly down to the 201bhp motor up front and 64kWh battery that the longer-range Kona was packing under the floor. There was also a smaller, more urban-biased 39kWh version with a still-pretty-good 194miles of range - though that also has less power at 134bhp. It was also less popular with buyers, so you won’t see so many of them for resale.

So given that there’s a few cars out and about on the pre-loved circuit, what kind of money are we talking about for a second hand Kona? Well, with electric car supply starting to get sorted, and more cars coming onto the market, prices have started to correct to the slightly more affordable. 

With lots of cars coming off their lease arrangements, you can find some lovely stuff. So for the car you really want - the longer-range 64kWh battery - £16k to £17k will see a Premium with around 60k miles. There are cars for less than £14k, but they have much higher mileages - a conceit of being able to do longer distances with decent range. People really have used these cars just like they would any other. And they’ve been fine. 

Another point is that Konas were originally made in a place called Ulsan in South Korea, with only a few coming over to the UK. But from 2020 they started being made in Czech Republic in Europe, so there’s lots more from that kind of age. So don’t be surprised that a lot of the cars are a little bit younger.

To find out more, join Nicki as she takes you through all the key points of the Hyundai Kona Electric. Do you have one? Are you looking to buy? Let us know in the comments below.

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Our reviews are written by some of the most experienced reviewers in the business and will even help you find the perfect new or used car.

[danielhockin]

Had mine for nearly 2yrs. Love it. Super efficient.
Adelaide - Melbourne and back in 2 days no issues.
Cheap to run and super reliable.
Only thing showing it’s age with slightly slower charging that new EVs.
Recommended

[gerrymac]

I’ve owned a 2020 64kw primer se with all the tech brilliantly efficient 300 miles all day long. The 77kw limit charging is not a problem as most chargers I have come across are only 50kw maximum, I agree maybe not as big inside for a large family but I have driven the Kona from Birmingham to Isle of Wight with four adults and a full boot never even a requirement to stop for a charge such a great car well ahead for it’s time and still better than what’s on the current market.

[riccotube]

I have a Kona 64Kwh and it is very good, so good that I'll hand it over to my better half when I purchase a new EV next year.

[BrackenDog]

Before buying, check whether the battery is subject to recall, and if so, whether it has been replaced. Some original LG Chem batteries were faulty.

[boredKiwi]

There are a lot on the market now here in NZ as well because they were popular fleet cars. And the right one could be a bargain. The battery is the last thing to worry about. Most important is the potential risk of a gear reducer or motor noise ('wheel of fortune'), a very expensive repair out of warranty and the prior item being one that Hyundai doesn't seem to have addressed. The second caution is that the blue coolant models (about 2020 up) have a shorter maintenance interval and that's an expensive service. The best choice might be an early 2019 with green or pink coolant, a replaced battery and a quiet powertrain. If the battery's silver edges are visible hanging down when viewing the car far back from the sides then the battery has been replaced.

[therealcdnuser]

We have a Kona 64kwh and it performs very well and we often get more than the rated 415 km range.

[gregcooper]

I had use of a 2021 Kona Electric for a month last year when I swapped company cars with a colleague so he and his family could holiday in the south of France. I fell in love. The boot and rear seats were too small for my family, but the rest of the car was just incredible. I am due to order an EV in September and unfortunately I think I’m going to be too early for the new Kona, which I have drooled over in a showroom. New Kona boot is a great size and rear passenger space is great. I know the Niro is the same platform but it just doesn’t excite me as much as the Kona. If I can stretch to an Ioniq 5 I will go for that, or see if I can extend my current company car lease and order the new Kona…

"...this ain't a spaceship." - this exactly has sold the car to me. It looks way better in life, especially in more exciting colours. I have a facelift 64 Kona in Dark Knight (dark grey), with style specs (ultimate in UK I think, pretty much all extras). I love this car and not looking into changing in foreseeable future, especially as all the "spaceships" keep coming instead of "cars". This one is a good old fashioned hot hatch with all modern extras if you know what I mean. ;)

[stuartlowe]

There was an important second recall for early cars. The battery replacement recall a fantastic generous offer from Hyundai after 12 or 13 battery fires world wide when rapid charging. We own a 2018 bought at 3years old with 45k miles. The battery was replaced and now at 5 years old & 53k miles we have a fantastic car that will go for years. Thank you Hyundai

[martinwray]

Im pretty sure that all the Konas are capable of up to 77kW charging on DC.
They did upgrade the onboard charger from 7kW to 11kW on 3 phase though. Not sure exactly when.
Plus, all the 18 and 19 cars benefit from a heat pump. Check for that, if the lack of it might bother you.

[davidtolson]

The best thing about the Kona EV is the amazing efficiency.

[judebrown]

Had one as a courtesy car while our Ioniq 38 kWh was having it's warranty bits done along with the big service. Couldn't get my walking aid in the boot without putting down the single rear seat, then only one bag for life fit in with it so I couldn't do a week's shop.
It's a no from me, I can get my walker and five bags in the boot of the Ioniq, it's a TARDIS, and still room for the lurcher on the back seat!
Great review Nikki, reckon your little one should be arriving soon if they're not here already. Hope you have a safe delivery and congratulations to you and yours.👍🤗

[Rianewjob]

I have a 2022 Kona Premium 64 KwH. Charged it yesterday and got a claimed range of 595 km. In winter that can get as low as 450 km. Very reliable car. Plenty of buttons and knobs, so not 'space age', but that's a selling point in my view.

[PotteryLife]

@Electrifying - When shopping for a used car, how does one tell or find out how the previous owner(s) treated the battery? Did they properly charge the battery pack according to the manufacturer's directions? Did they discharge the battery pack within prescribed limits? I am always concerned (not when looking at a car like the Kona) that perhaps the pervious owner was fond of showing all their friends just how quick electric cars are. Are there unbiased, third party diagnostics systems for battery packs to let the prospective buyer understand the health of a car's battery pack? Thank you.

[leesmart]

I've had my 2019 Kona Premium SE from new and the only warranty fixes were the washer jets!! Battery management software was updated in 2020 after stories of Kona battery fires surfaced.
My range is probably down 6-8% after 49, 000 miles which were mostly powered from my home 7kW wallbox. I don't tend to rapid charge over 80% although it can indeed charge at 77kW and has a decent charge curve.
Last week, we did 900 miles over 6 days and it was very comfortable, especially on motorways with the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist functions.
I have removed the fake engine cover from under the bonnet and fitted a plastic storage box to act as a frunk (or froot) for the charge cable plus I added gas struts to the bonnet for added convenience.
The only negative over 4 years is the lack of room in the back when carrying passengers

[gavkenny]

Had my Kona for a year now and love it. Would recommend as a good electric car

[shaywhelan]

I am going to the south of France next week, and to hire an electric car to try one for 10 days. I can get a Hyundai Kona (I assume this model), or VW ID 3 for around the same price. Any suggestions as to what would be better?

[garryhendy]

Great pice. More like this please. Perhaps a used ev £20k test.. have a fab weekend 👍

[craigbrown]

Just bought a 2021 64kWh Kona. Great car with great range. You forgot to mention the recall for a coolant change. Hyundai are using a new coolant as the old one was crystallising a little.

[samsonermias]

thank you I learned buying brand new car is not worthy im glad I come across this video. I have now my used Kona EV premium se, 64kwh 2020 45000 miles for £17k brand new cost £38k.