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Writer's pictureMike Hagerty

One Step Closer: The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric


2022 Hyundai Kona Electric front 3/4 view

The number of strong contenders in the Electric Vehicle (EV) space continues to grow. Strong contenders in that they feature 250 miles or more of range on a single charge, DC fast charging capability that will replenish 80 percent of the charge in 45-ish minutes and a price tag that, with or without EV incentives, is at or near the average price of a new car today.


There's the Tesla Model 3, the Chevrolet Bolt, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Volkswagen ID.4, and now the Hyundai Kona Electric.


2022 Hyundai Kona Electric rear 3/4 view

The Hyundai Kona Electric differs from the others in that it is an electric version of a car that can also be bought with a gasoline engine. And that takes a lot of the "alien" factor away for a first-time EV buyer.



2022 Hyundai Kona Electric badging


2022 Hyundai Kona Electric charging port door

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric charging port

The only real giveaway beyond an "electric" badge on the tail is the door on the front that conceals the charging port.


2022 Hyundai Kona Electric hood up

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric powerplant


2022 Hyundai Kona Electric powerplant detail

Under the hood is a 201-horsepower electric motor. And, as are most electrics, it's quick. Zero to 60 takes about 6.2 seconds. But as important as the power is the battery---storing enough juice for 258 miles between charges.


Let me put that in perspective. I have a 44-mile roundtrip commute to my day job. A week worth of commuting is 220 miles. Meaning, in theory, I would only have to charge this car once a week---about as often as a lot of people buy gasoline.


And given the Kona Electric's DC fast charging capability, this is a car I would have no worries about driving the 409 miles from Folsom (suburban Sacramento) to Los Angeles. I'd arrive at the mid-point, Harris Ranch, with 58 miles of range left, recharge in less than an hour while I had lunch, and arrive in Los Angeles with at least 50 miles remaining (likely more, from the regenerative braking while going down the legendary Grapevine on I-5).


2022 Hyundai Kona Electric rear liftgate open

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric rear cargo area

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric interior

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric rear seat

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric front seats

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric front seat detail

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric instrument panel

Beyond that, and the charging gauge replacing the fuel gauge, this could be a gasoline-powered Hyundai Kona. There's no attempt to re-invent the driving experience, no massive screen for all functions, no oddball controls, no yoke in place of a steering wheel. If you've driven any other contemporary car, the Kona Electric requires no learning curve.


The base price of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is $42,500. The window sticker is at the end of this review so you can see for yourself, but among the standard equipment highlights at that price are 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats (heated and ventilated for the driver and front passenger) and a sunroof.



2022 Hyundai Kona Electric steering wheel and gauge cluster


2022 Hyundai Kona Electric center stack

And---apart from $155 for floor mats, that's it. Everything is standard. So, with $1,225 inland freight and handling, the as-tested price of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is $43,880. But EV incentives will knock that price down to $36,380, which is actually $9,000 less than the average price of a new car this year.


2022 Hyundai Kona Electric front view

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric side view

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric rear view

When the history of the mass conversion from fossil fuels to electric-powered cars is written, I think it'll be cars like the Kona that will be the heroes. Quick charging, solid range, a reasonable price and user-friendly operation all add up to making the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric a big winner.



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