Kona takes a great leap forward

• Published date: 05 November 2021

And it’s happened just at the right time to keep a growing pack of rivals at bay.

The recently-refreshed Kona Electric has had some exterior design enhancements and safety upgrades.

However, the most significant upgrade of all is an extended all-electric driving range that now stretches to 484km, compared with its predecessor’s 400km range.

The 2021 Kona sports a cleaner and sportier look, with LED daytime running lights.

Charging the lithium-ion battery from 10% to 80% takes only 47 minutes using a 100kW direct current fast charger.

The Kona Electric features an optional 10.5-kW three-phase on-board charger, allowing for significantly shorter charging times.

Prices start at $69,990 for the standard electric model with a smaller 39.2kWh battery and $76,990 gets you behind the wheel of the Elite.

The 64kWh battery version sells for $79,990, sneaking by the slimmest of margins under the $80,000 price cap to qualify for the $8500 clean car rebate.

The range-topping Elite supplied for this road test, and fully loaded with all the niceties of luxury automotive life, will leave an $87,990 hole in your bank account. This is a big ask for a smallish, compact 2WD urban SUV.

The latest Kona Electric retains its 64kWh battery and electric motor delivering 150kW and 395Nm of instant torque.

Performance is strong, ensuring brisk progress over most roads you are likely to encounter on our network.

At open road speeds, road noise is well muted, apart from getting all vocal over coarse chipped seal.

Apart from that blot on its copybook, the Kona makes a powerful statement with its exhilarating acceleration, smoothness, zero emissions and almost zero fuel costs...