Should You Buy a Hyundai Kona or Kona Electric?
The Hyundai Kona is loved by consumers because of how fun it is to drive. The Kona comes in an electric version as well. Which Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV model is the better buy, the Kona or Kona Electric?
Is the Hyundai Kona a good SUV?
The 2022 Hyundai Kona starts at $21,300. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to make 147 horsepower. The Kona achieves 30 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.
The Kona comes standard with solar glass. It also includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual front USB outlets, and a 4.2-inch color multi-information display.
The Hyundai Kona features a refined cabin, amazing fuel economy, and an easy-to-use infotainment system. It also has powertrain options that offer more exciting driving dynamics. The Kona comes in four different trim levels: the SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. The N Line and Limited trims come standard with turbocharged engines that make 195 horsepower.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona is a great subcompact SUV for drivers that don’t need lots of space. Its design makes it fun to drive, but how does the gasoline-powered Kona compare to its electric version?
The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is a practical EV
The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric starts at $34,000. It uses an electric motor to make 201 horsepower. The Kona Electric achieves 258 miles of range. It’s eligible for an electric vehicle tax credit of $7,500.
After the tax incentive, its price becomes $26,500. The Kona Electric is appealing for the same reasons as its gasoline-powered sibling. Car and Driver gave the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric an Editor’s Choice award because it’s the same fun-loving subcompact SUV as the Kona with an electric powertrain.
Which is better, the Hyundai Kona or Kona Electric?
The Hyundai Kona comes in four different trims, while the Kona Electric is only available in SEL and Limited trims. The Kon Electric may seem much more expensive than the gasoline-powered Kona, but EV tax credits make the electric subcompact SUV affordable.
The Kona Electric has enough driving distance to be practical for the average consumer. The Kona is more affordable than the Kona Electric, even after the EV tax credit. The gas-powered model is the better deal for the money in the short term; however, the Kona Electric is a capable electric subcompact SUV that can save consumers big bucks on fuel. The victor isn’t clear when it comes to the Kona vs. the Kona Electric.
Ultimately, the better SUV model comes down to preference. Both models have decent overall ratings from automotive publications. U.S. News & World Reports gave the 2022 Hyundai Kona a Best Car for the Money award. The gas Kona is the better option for consumers who don’t believe the U.S. has enough charging infrastructure to make EV charging accessible enough. The Kona Electric is the option for consumers daring enough to take a chance on the evolving electric SUV vehicle segment.
