Hyundai KONA Electric is touted to be the first full-fledged electric car of India. It offers high performance and a good range.
Hyundai KONA is just three years old and the 2020 model can be deemed as the first-generation model. Widely marketed as India’s first all-electric SUV, this versatile and powerful car was widely appreciated for its power packed performance and a comfortable ride with high acceleration over long journeys.
It is a long-range electric vehicle, which is very well packaged and comes with a promise of green tech without compromising in technicalities. What makes it a step above its competitor is its noise insulation and smoother drive experience. It is a very good car to have in family for daily commuting purposes.
Exterior
The exterior look is designed by Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke. KONA EV is 4180 mm in length,1800 mm in width,1570 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2600 mm. It is not a very big car in comparison to the other cars in the same price range. In fact, the dimensions of this car lie somewhere between Hyundai Venue and Hyundai Creta. It has a crossover stance and curvy styling which is just a magnified and purpose-built version of I20 active.
What makes KONA superior is its quirky design and its rarity. The faux front grille and its 17-inch alloy wheels are making it look magnificent. To add to its beauty are a unique black cladded body and rear fender.
The front end is particularly very pleasing because of its unique LED headlights and big bold nose. The charging points are placed in the front and not on the side which gives its overall look an edgy look plus provides an ease in charging the car. There is a subtle crease provided to the hood which helps in maintaining the flow in design, as the crease runs through the side from the front fender covering the taillights.
Interior
Like any other typical Hyundai car, KONA’s interiors have a top-notch quality and are consistent. All the controls are as easy to use and that’s what makes Kona EV’s a charming car. The interiors are minimalist and give a feel of a futuristic car. The overall visibility is very concise and at ease, be its drive mode button or button-type drive selector.
The center console of the car sits high up and has a dull silver finish. The cabin space is at par with any car in this range.
The boot space is restricted and is about 334 liters. It comes with an auto AC, a smart key with a push button, electric sunroof and cruise control.
The seats and steering have leatherette upholstery and are also provided with seat cooling and heating. It holds a wireless phone charger, audio & phone controls steering-mounted, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.
Safety Features
The Hyundai Kona electric has 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability management, electronic stability program, ISOFIX and traction control as standard. It also has hill start assist, a rear camera with dynamic guidelines, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and auto headlamps.
Engine Options
Electric cars have a specialty to deliver their torque instantly. This electric vehicle gains speed with gusto and can easily run past 100kmph effortlessly. No waiting is required for the engine to rev up to a certain rpm, nor the gearbox to shift your way up. It acquires acceleration very easily, because the more you press the electricity pedal the faster the car moves. It can easily gain a speed of 0-100 kmph in 9.7 seconds.
The car provides a noise- and vibe-free experience and gets you addicted to it. The system uses the wheels as generators to charge up the battery, thereby reducing the wastage of energy in generating friction by braking. This contributes to the car’s ARAI-claimed range of 452km on a full charge.
Pricing
Hyundai Kona Electric starts at a ravishing price of Rs. 23.75 Lakh and may go up to Rs. 23.94 Lakh. It is available in 2 variants - Premium mode, which is KONA’s base model and the other one is a top variant-Hyundai Kona Premium Dual Tone, which cost around Rs. 23.94 Lakh.
