These days more and more people are looking into switching from ICE-powered vehicles to either hybrid or electric vehicles. And, with the current environmental rules and the gas prices, this comes as no surprise. When it comes to buying your first EV there are a lot of things to look into, ranging from price, power, actual range, and tech features. Of course, the market has a lot to offer, and while some people will lean to Tesla as the best choice, there are a lot of other cool options to go for that are cheaper and better equipped. The Hyundai Kona Electric is one of those alternative models with a lower entry price, better practicality, and fair performance. It won’t be as fast as the Tesla Model 3, but that’s part of its appeal and why it can be a better first electric vehicle. The reasons for choosing a Hyundai Kona over a Tesla Model 3, however, don’t stop there.
10 The Kona Electric Is A Lot Cheaper
Hyundai’s Kona Electric is one of the cheapest EVs you can buy, so it is no wonder that it’s very successful in both the American and European markets. It’s also one of the best alternatives you have when it comes to buying your first electric vehicle. For the 2023 model year, the Kona Electric starts from $33,550 for the SE trim, from $37,300 for the Kona EV SEL, and from $41,550 for the Limited model. The 2023 Model 3, on the other hand, is a lot more expensive, and there are only two trims to choose from. The base Model 3 RWD is priced at $42,990, while the Model 3 Performance has a starting price of $53,990. A Long Range trim will also be added later in 2023.
9 Hyundai Practicality Casts A Big Shadow Over The Tesla Model 3
When it comes to interior space, it is not exactly fair to compare a compact sedan with a compact crossover, but, since the price allows you to get something a lot more practical, why not? The Model 3 has a cargo space of 19.8 cubic feet, plus another 3.1 cubic feet in the frunk. The Kona Electric, on the other hand, can store only 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, but with the seats folded, the cargo area is increased to 45.8 cubic feet. The interior dimension is almost on par in the two EVs, with the rear being more suitable for small children rather than tall adults. The rear passengers also must sit in a knees-up position since the floor had to be lifted to facilitate the battery pack beneath. However, it is a lot easier to get in and out of the Kona EV, with no risks of hitting your head against the ceiling.
8 Kona vs Model 3 Range Comparison
On paper, the Model 3 has the better range: in the basic RWD trim it can drive up to 272 miles on a single charge. The Kona EV, on the other hand, has a range of 258 miles in all three trims. The extra 14 miles isn't something you should be worried about, especially when you pay about $10,000 less for the Kona Electric. The 2023 Kona Electric delivers 136 MPGe on city driving, 106 MPGe on highway driving, and 120 MPGe combined. Also, back in 2020, the Kona Electric managed to set an EV range record, running more than 630 miles on a single charge. It's true at speeds of up to 30 km/h (about 19 mph). When using a 100 kW direct current (DC) fast-charger station, the Kona EV needs about 47 minutes to recharge its battery from 10 to 80 percent. And, since we are talking about charging, the charging port of the electric Kona is on the front of the vehicle, which makes the car very easy to charge, even in crowded places.
7 Classic Korean-Made User-Friendly Interior
Tesla’s models are known for having a very simplistic, sometimes boring interior. The car's horizontally mounted 15-inch touchscreen controls almost everything in the car, and most owners have complained it takes a while to get used to it. The Kona Electric has a more user-friendly interior, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard in the SE models, and a 10.3-inch touchscreen offered as an option. It features physical buttons that are easy to read and within reach, which makes the infotainment system a lot easier to use. Also, when compared to the Model 3, the Kona Electric has a workable moonroof.
6 The Kona Is A Better-Looking Car
Teslas were never defined by an appealing exterior look, and the Model 3 is no exception. Plus that many customers have complained about the build quality. The Kona Electric, on the other hand, features a bold exterior design, with muscular sculpted shapes, and smooth, aerodynamic shapes. As is the case with every other electric vehicle out there, the front end is very simple with a closed grille and slim LED headlamps. The side has a sporty feeling, while in the back the electric crossover features an aerodynamic rear bumper, and skid plate highlighted by slim LED rear lights. Unlike the Model 3, which can be had in only five exterior shades, The Kona can be had in your choice of 17 different finishes, depending on the market.
5 The Hyundai Kona Electric Is Fun To Drive
The Kona Electric, in all trim levels, has a single electric motor at the front wheels and delivers a total of 201 horsepower. It is a lot less than Model 3’s 283 horsepower (in base RWD configuration), but it is more than enough to satisfy your daily needs. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is done in 6.4 seconds according to Car And Driver, which again may not sound like a lot, but the Kona Electric is meant to be driven around the city. According to TopGear, the Kona is a "comfy cruiser – quiet at speed, with a reasonably placid ride and road manners."
4 It Can Tow More The Tesla
When buying an electric car, the last thing you care about is towing things around. But, it happens every now and then to actually have to tow something, and having an EV with some sort of towing capacity is a plus. For example, the Tesla Model 3 can tow up to 2,200 pounds, which is not bad for a compact sedan. The Electric Kona, on the other hand, can tow up to 2,800 pounds, which makes it a lot more practical than the Model 3. In fact, on the list of accessories for the Kona EV, you will find a tow bar, a crossbar, a roof box, and a bike carrier - which proves the electric crossover was destined for fun outside.
3 It Features An Intelligent Regenerative Braking System
The Kona Electric features a smart regenerative braking system that can be controlled either by using the steering-wheel-mounted paddles, or with the usual one-pedal driving. The Kona Electric has four different levels of regenerative braking, ranging from 0 to 3. 0 means no regenerative braking and 3 means strong regenerative braking. These levels can be adjusted through the paddle shifters. It is also possible to use the left paddle shifter to completely stop the Kona, without pressing the conventional brake pedal. All you must do is pull the paddle and hold. When the feature is on, the car's smart regenerative braking system utilizes the onboard radar sensor to control the level of recuperative braking based on the traffic ahead or based on driving up or downhill. The regenerative braking is adjusted accordingly.
2 The Kona Electric Is Very Well Equipped, For Its Price
The Kona Electric offers interior space for five adults, although the rear space is not that generous, and all five passengers will enjoy an exceptional level of comfort. The EV is equipped with a fully digital 10.25-inch cluster that displays vital information like the current state of battery charge or the current level of power usage. Depending on the option you go for, the seats are wrapped in cloth as standard, cloth-leather, or full leather as an option. The driver's seat is eight-way power-adjustable, and both the front seats are heated. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, and, as an option, you can also have it heated. The rear seats feature two complete sets of LATCH connectors for installing child safety seats. As standard features, the electric Kona is offered with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, three USB ports, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, HD Radio, automatic climate control, and proximity keyless entry.
1 Hyundai Has An Amazing Warranty
Hyundai is already known for offering one of the best warranties on the market, and the Kona Electric fully benefits from it. It comes with a five-year/60,000 miles new vehicle warranty, plus a three-year/36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan that includes tire rotation, cabin air-filter changes, plus various other system inspections. The electric powertrain and the battery are covered by a 10-year/100,000 miles warranty. Hyundai also has plenty of dealerships nationwide, so you won't have to drive thousands of miles for the usual checkouts.