The Hyundai Kona Electric received a facelift in 2021, but the range remained the same: 484 kilometers in combination with the 64 kWh battery pack. We test the electric Kona at 100 km/h and 130 km/h!
The Hyundai Kona Electric came to the Netherlands in 2018 and is known for its low power consumption and large battery. For my column about electric driving, I spoke to an economical Kona Electric driver who gets 500 kilometers from a full battery. The WLTP range is 484 kilometers.
Why the Kona won’t make it 484 kilometers
Here are three reasons why we won’t make it 484 kilometers today. First, it is cold, so the air resistance is greater. Secondly, it is cold, so the heating is on and that costs electricity. Finally, it is cold, which explains why the electric Kona is on winter tires.
As usual, we drive a circle of approximately one hundred kilometers, which we complete during the day at a speed of 100 km/h and in the evening at 130 km/h. We use the average power consumption to calculate the total range. This is based on the net capacity of the battery pack (64 kWh).
Hyundai Kona Electric: range at 100 km/h
You’re coming 372 kilometers far if you constantly drive a hundred with the Hyundai Kona Electric. We measure a power consumption of 17.2 kWh/100 km. Outside it is 6 degrees and the test car is on winter tires, so that could be better.
The fact that the larger Hyundai Ioniq 5 consumes the same amount of power at 100 km/h is due to the summer conditions in which it was tested.
This is our 30th range test! Curious about number 31?
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Hyundai Kona Electric: range at 130 km/h
Large electric SUVs consume between 25 and 30 kWh per 100 kilometers at 130 km/h. The Kona Electric is a compact model and dives right in with 24.9 kWh/100 km. The result is a 130 km/h range of 257 kilometers. And that at 3 degrees Celsius. Not crazy at all.
Conclusion
A range test in the winter does not give you the maximum range of an EV, but the minimum range. In other words: even if the temperature fluctuates around freezing and the Kona Electric is on winter tires, you can still travel 372 kilometers if you drive 100 km/h. Or 257 kilometers if you race home in the evening. And that’s nice to know.