Three trims make up the ‘23 Kona EV’s lineup: SE, SEL, and Limited. Their pleasing electric performance comes from a solitary motor that produces 201 hp and 291 lb.-ft. of torque; its partner is a 64 kWh battery pack (which is covered for 10 years/100,000 miles) that allows the vehicle to travel up to 258 miles per charge. According to the EPA, this corresponds to 134 MPGe in the city and 106 MPGe on the highway.
If you’re using the basic Level II charger, a 10 to 100 percent charge can be achieved in around 9 hours and 15 minutes. The available 50 kW Level III charger provides a 10 to 80 percent charge in 64 minutes, but with the 100 kW Level III charger, that number is reduced to 47 minutes. Owners will also get 250 kWh (which is approximately 1,000 miles) of complimentary charging sessions at any Electrify America public charging station. The Kona EV also uses regenerative braking, which collects the kinetic energy formed during braking and routes it to the battery. The degree of regenerative braking can be regulated via the Kona EV’s steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Hyundai generously supplies the ‘23 Kona EV with a range of must-have amenities. For convenience, it has automatic on/off headlights, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, proximity keyless entry, push-button ignition, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and power windows with front auto-up/down. For comfort, there are heated front seats and automatic climate control, while its tech items include a trio of USB ports (one data and two charging) and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. The SEL is made even better with class-exclusive Digital Key, wireless phone charging, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a sunroof. At the top of the range, the Limited gains LED headlights and taillights, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink.
The Hyundai SmartSense suite of advanced safety features comes standard in the Kona EV. It includes forward collision-avoidance assist with car/pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. As the top of the heap among Kona EV trims, the Limited adds an enhanced forward collision system with cyclist detection, plus rear parking sensors, highway driving assist, high beam assist, and smart cruise control.
The base infotainment system in the 2023 Hyundai Kona EV has an 8-inch touchscreen that’s used to control the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD radio, satellite radio (SiriusXM), and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The SEL upgrades to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation; however, the larger screen isn’t compatible with wireless smartphone integration, and so Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can only be connected via USB. The Limited receives all of that, along with a high-end Harman Kardon sound system.
