What's the best electric vehicle under $80k on sale in Australia in October 2021?

From the stalwart Nissan Leaf to Hyundai’s latest IONIQ 5, there’s a great range of battery electric vehicles available in Australia under $80,000.

Most will agree that electric vehicles in Australia are still expensive when compared to their petrol and diesel equivalents on an upfront cost basis, but this difference quickly evaporates over the total ownership period. The upfront purchase price has slowly been falling over the last few years however, as the EV market is becoming more competitive by the month in Australia. With an increasing number of rebates and concessions available across the Australian states and territories, incentives are there for buyers to jump into a BEV, and reduce their initial outlay. Stamp duty is waived on EVs in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and in New South Wales (NSW), while rebates will soon be available in Victoria, Tasmania and NSW up to a set cap of total EV registrations.

So where should your money go if you’re in the market for an electric vehicle in 2021? We’ve set an $80,000 top end limit for this list; Australia’s average annual income is around $90,000 a year, and 19 of the 47 EVs on sale in this country are priced between $40,000 and $80,000 MSRP, accounting for the majority of zero-emissions vehicle sales. Scroll down to see all the models available (in alphabetical order), and which car tops our list.

Hyundai Ioniq

Hyundai’s Ioniq Electric has led the brand’s EV charge since 2017. Image: Hyundai Australia

Price	From $49,970
Battery Size	38.3 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	311 km
Efficiency	13.8 kWh/100km
10-80% Charge Time	47 minutes
Power/Torque	100 kW/295 Nm

Hyundai’s Ioniq Electric sedan (not to be confused with the latest IONIQ 5) is the grandfather of this list, and despite a facelift in 2020 jazzing up the exterior styling, the Ioniq Electric is still a little bland, lacking the chutzpah and in-car technology of rivals. That’s not to say the Ioniq Electric is a dud; While it may “only” have a 38.3 kWh battery, Hyundai’s engineers have wrung respectable performance and efficiency out of this car, with a 0-100 km/h time of 9.7 seconds, a WLTP range of 311 km, a real-world range of closer to 273 km, and an energy consumption figure of 13.8 kWh per 100 km. It features a no-nonsense cabin, with good interior quality, and in all honesty, would perfectly suit the needs of a driver who wanted an urban runabout with no emissions. Priced from $49,970, The Ioniq Electric Elite is the second-cheapest EV on sale in Australia, behind MG’s $40,990 ZS EV. For your money, you get a 10.25” touchscreen infortainment system, 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB+ digital radio, parking sensors with reversing camera, Infinity premium audio system, smartphone mirroring, and a smart key with push button start. Hyundai offers a 5 year/unlimited km warranty, and an 8 year/160,000 km battery warranty.

Hyundai IONIQ 5

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 has just landed in Australia, and there’s nothing like it on the roads. Image: Hyundai Australia

Price	From $71,900
Battery Size	72.6 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	451-430 km
Efficiency	17.9-19 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	18 minutes
Power/Torque	160 kW/350 Nm - 225 kW/605 Nm

The IONIQ 5 represents the latest and greatest in terms of design and technology. With the Australian public able to order the IONIQ 5 from October 12, This chunky retro-SUV — the first vehicle from Hyundai to be based on the new E-GMP modular architecture — makes a bold style statement, and is perfect for drivers looking to stand out from the hoards of Tesla Model 3s in the inner city. Priced from $71,900 for the 160 kW/350 Nm rear-wheel drive variant, the IONIQ 5 features a 72.5 kWh battery pack, and clever electrical architecture that allows the car to charge from 10-80 percent in just eighteen minutes on a 350 kW DC fast charger. WIth a huge wheelbase, “zero gravity” seats, a spacious interior and V2L — the ability to power household devices through the car — The IONIQ 5 deserves your consideration. While 2021’s initial allocation for Australia is already sold out, we expect Hyundai to announce 2022 stock later this year. Read more of our IONIQ 5 coverage here.

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai’s Kona Electric is a fun, fast electric crossover with style and performance, but lacks cargo carrying capacity.

Price	From $62,000
Battery Size	39.2 kWh - 64 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	308km - 485 km
Efficiency	14.3 -15.4 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	50 min (SR), 44 min (ER)
Power/Torque	100-150 kW/395 Nm

The Kona Electric compact SUV is a familar sight on Australian roads, and the electric variant underwent a facelift earlier this year. While the Kona isn’t the most spacious small SUV, it’s contemporary styling, great performance, and 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty make it a compelling option for those partial to an elevated driving position. Unfortunately the interior of the Kona wasn’t afforded the same refresh as the exterior, with a slightly dated feel, but the Kona is a comfortable place to be, and offers a digital instrument cluster, Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and features like heated and cooled seats, LED headlights and a head up display on the top-spec Highlander model. Hyundai’s Kona Electric is impressively accurate with its range estimates too; you’ll have no problems squeezing 400 kilometres of driving out of this 64 kWh battery. Hyundai has also just launched an entry-level 39.2 kWh model, giving buyers the option of a 308 km range Kona Electric for $54,500 plus on road costs.

Kia Niro Electric

The Kia Niro EV is a competent all-rounder with plenty of space and excellent on-road dynamics.

Price	From $62,590
Battery Size	64 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	455 km
Efficiency	14.9 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	45 minutes
Power/Torque	150 kW/395 Nm

Kia’s Niro EV drives and performs much the same as its sister from the Hyundai family, but with a longer wheelbase and body, the Niro Electric is more suitable as a family hauler. Though buyers must sacrifice a bit of style for this pragmatic crossover, The Kia is capable and offers enough space for a young family. We found the ride to be a bit firmer than that of the Kona Electric, But the interior is still a comfortable place to be. Two models are available; a Niro EV S and an EV Sport. Both offer the same 150 kW/395 Nm motor of Hyundai, and bettering Hyundai, the Niro EV comes with a 7 year unlimited kilometre warranty, and an 8 year battery warranty. Check out our review of the Niro EV here

Mazda MX30 E35 Electric

Mazda’s MX30 E35 Electric is a design-driven crossover, but with limited range and an asking price of $65,490.

Price	From $65,490
Battery Size	35.5 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	200 km
Efficiency	15.0 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	42 minutes
Power/Torque	107 kW/271 Nm

Mazda’s MX30 is a bit of an odd one; with a smaller battery capacity than all vehicles in this list bar Mini’s Electric city car, its 200km range and $65,490 price will likely relegate it to a niche product (within an already niche segment). It’s not all bad news though; if one is willing to stump up this cash, one will discover a very design-focused compact crossover, brimming with Mazda DNA, technology, and cool details. In fact, Mazda sees most buyers for the MX30 will be fans or current owners of the brand. Is that confidence in its product positioning? Or acceptance of limited consumer interest? Truth be told, the 200km WLTP range of the MX30 is probably enough for most Australians’ commutes and errands for a few days, but we can’t help but think this small battery offering would be much more compelling close to the MG ZS EV’s price point. And don’t mention the reverse-opening rear door. Mazda offers a 5 year/unlimited km warranty in Australia, and an 8 year/160,000km battery warranty.

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250

The Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 should attract well-heel buyers, and encourage more to dip their toes into the world of EVs.

Price	From $76,800
Battery Size	79.8 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	398 km
Efficiency	15.6 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	30 minutes
Power/Torque	140 kW/375 Nm

The EQA from Mercedes-Benz is a charged-up version of the petrol-engined GLA, and is similarly sized to Hyundai’s Kona Electric and Kia’s Niro EV with a 2,729mm wheelbase. Unfortunately, the EQA is a bit of a porker, tipping the scales at 2,040kg. This results in a relaxed 0-100 km/h time of 8.9 seconds, but the 375 Nm of torque should still provide ample get-up off the traffic lights. It carries the distinctive Mercedes-Benz EQ design DNA quite well, though we’d much rather an electrified A-Class than a high-riding crossover. While the design is quite restrained, that dinner plate-sized emblem and gloss-black front will command attention. On the inside, It’s typical Germanic quality, with the EQA carrying over Mercedes’ twin-screen MBUX dashboard. Mercedes-Benz now offers a 5 year/unlimited km warranty in Australia, and an 8 year/160,000 km battery warranty.

MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV is a great looking EV bargain, priced from $40,990. Image: MG Australia

Price	From $40,990
Battery Size	44.5 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	263 km
Efficiency	18.6 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	50 minutes
Power/Torque	105 kW/353 Nm

The MG ZS EV is a real headline grabber in the Australian EV market; sure, it is a compact crossover like the Hyundai Kona Electric, and “only” offers 263 km WLTP range, but it holds the crown for cheapest battery electric vehicle on sale in Australia, priced from $40,990. MG Motor is a subsidiary of Chinese automotive behemoth SAIC, and has surprised many with the quality, refinement and engineering of its vehicles, despite the attractive entry prices. The ZS EV includes limited information on charging and efficiency for those of us EV nerds, but offers many creature comforts, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with phone mirroring, heated front seats, parking sensors with a reversing camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality and more. It also offers a five star Euro NCAP rating, with active safety systems including forward collision waring with autonomous braking, lane keeping/lane departure assist, and rear cross traffic alert. Sadly, the ZS EV still features halogen headlights; an odd cost saving measure when LEDs are far more efficient in the lighting department. The ZS EV also charges at 50kW peak rate, taking 45 minutes to reach 80 percent charge. MG Motor Australia offers a seven year/unlimited km warranty across its vehicle range, which also covers the lithium ion battery.

Mini Electric

Mini’s Electric combines the style and refinement of the Mini range, with a battery electric drivetrain. Image: Mini Australia

Price	From $54,800
Battery Size	32.6 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	233 km
Efficiency	15.6 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	28 minutes
Power/Torque	135 kW/270 Nm

What’s not to like about an electric Mini? Combining the style and quality associated with BMW’s retro hatch with an electric drivetrain is a great concept, and while the Mini Electric is a fine car, it’s not all the EV it could have been.

Rather than a dedicated electric vehicle platform and drivetrain, BMW has chosen to retrofit the BMW i3 drivetrain and battery into a Mini body, resulting in a car that quite literally uses yesterday’s technology. While not awful, the Mini is hamstrung by its price of $54,800. It’s not a cheap city car, but only offers a WLTP range of 233km from its 32.6 kWh battery supplied by CATL. The Mini tops out 50 kW when DC fast charging, so it’ll take a good 30 minutes to charge from 10-80 percent. It’s a little tubby for a Mini too at 1,440 kg, but still offers a 0-100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds thanks to its 135 kW 270 Nm front-mounted motor.

For the money, you do get a choice of five colours, a choice of 3 different 17 inch alloy wheel designs, rear view camera with parking assistant, LED headlights, wireless Apple Carplay and MINI navigation, a digital radio and home charging cable.

We’re sure the Mini Electric will still have a cabal of fans in Australia — those who must have the classic Mini style in a zero-emissions package — but those fans will have to have overlooked more spacious and more efficient EVs with better performance in the name of style. Mini offers a 3 year unlimited km warranty on the Electric model in Australia.

Nissan Leaf/Leaf e+

The Nissan Leaf has been the inspiration for many battery electric vehicles, and now comes in two variants. Image: Nissan Australia

Price	From $49,990
Battery Size	40-62 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	270 - 385 km
Efficiency	13.3-14.5 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	52 minutes
Power/Torque	110 kW/320 Nm - 160 kW/340 Nm

The Nissan Leaf is of course the stalwart of the electric vehicle scene in Australia. Loyal, dependable, always in the background of electric vehicle media announcements and launches, without ever really capturing much attention (or many sales). It’s style is driven by practicality — good aerodynamics, visibility and interior cabin space/comfort are the basis for its uneventful design. Priced from $49,990 in standard guise, the Leaf offers 270 km WLTP range from its 40 kWh battery. Buyers can upgrade to the Leaf e+ for $60,490, upping the WLTP range to 385 km from a 62 kWh battery. This provides similar usability to a Tesla Model 3 for the price. Unfortunately for the Leaf, Nissan has stuck with an older air-cooled battery design, rather than opting for liquid cooling. This ultimately affects the longevity of the Leaf’s batteries, as stable thermal management is key to long-term durability. The Leaf range also takes around 52 minutes at a rate of 50 kW to charge, utilising the CHAdeMO Japanese plug. While CHAdeMO is still found at most DC chargers, the Combined Charging System (CCS) plug seems to be the standard most manufacturers are adopting. Nissan Australia offers a 5 year/unlimited km warranty with the Leaf, and an 8 year/160,000 km warranty on battery defects.

Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus/ Long Range

Tesla’s Model 3 is a competent all rounder, priced from $59,990. Image: Tesla

Price	From $59,900
Battery Size	55-82 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	440-567 km
Efficiency	14.2.-16.5 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	25-34 minutres
Power/Torque	211 kW/375 Nm - 420kW/660Nm

The Tesla Model 3 doesn’t need much introduction; It’s the wunderkind of the Tesla range, single-handedly driving sales and revenue for the US automaker, and familiarising millions of people with battery-electric vehicles at the same time. The price of the Model 3 range has fallen since its introduction to Australia in 2019, and both the Standard Range Plus ($59,990 MSRP) and Long Range ($73,400 MSRP) make our sub-$80k list. They offer 440 km and 567 km of WLTP rated range respectively, more performance than you really need, and Tesla’s trademark spartan interior. While the Model 3 does have a steep learning curve, we feel the trade-off is a net positive for drivers; one of the best user interfaces in the business, seamless vehicle control from your mobile phone, allowing you to schedule charging, check vehicle status, and set the cabin temperature, constant over-the-air (OTA) updates, and a supercharger network (in Australia and globally) that provides peace of mind on any road trip. Tesla offers a 4 year/80,000 km warranty in Australia, alongside an 8 year/240,000 km battery warranty. You can check out our full review here.

Volvo XC40 Electric

Volvo’s XC40 Recharge is a 300 kW family SUV. Image: Volvo UK

Price	From $76,990
Battery Size	78 kWh
Range (WLTP Combined)	400 km
Efficiency	28.8 kWh/100km
10-80% charge time	33 minutes
Power/Torque	150 kW/330 Nm

300 kW of power and 650 Nm of torque from Volvo’s XC40 Recharge SUV. Let that sink in for a moment. Volvo’s most powerful car, well, ever is a 2 tonne-plus family SUV that hits 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. There’s only one drivetrain and battery choice, pairing a 78 kWh battery with twin electric motors and all wheel drive. Volvo states a WLTP combined range of 418 km, and the XC40 Recharge can charge at 150 kW maximum speed. Although there’s little to differentiate the all electric XC 40 from its hybrid and petrol siblings, that’s also a good thing; inside you’ll find Volvo’s usual high quality interior, equipped with the new Android Automotive infotainment system (shared with the Polestar 2), keyless entry and start, LED headlights, digital radio and satellite navigation, and heated seats all round. There’s autonomous front and rear emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and hill descent control. Priced from $76,990, we think it’s pretty good value considering inclusions and performance, and while the XC40 design is familiar, it is certainly aging well. Volvo offers a five year/unlimited km warranty in Australia, and an eight year battery warranty.

Verdict

In our eyes — although not necessarily the vehicle that the EV Brief family would purchase — Tesla’s Model 3 in Standard Range + guise is a compelling package that offers performance, technology, efficiency, range and practicality, all at a comparatively reasonable price. Starting from $59,900 MSRP in Australia (around $64,000 drive away) the Model 3 is a spacious family sedan with 400km real-world range that provides an ownership experience sure to convince Australians that the future is electric. In fact, we’d argue the Model 3 has already achieved price parity in its market segment when comparing it to similarly equipped entry-level cars from the likes of BMW and Audi; It’ll cost you around $70-75,000 to get into a BMW 330i or Audi A4 45 TSI.

The impression of good design, value, and practicality are all incredibly subjective when it comes to the automobile of course, hence why there is so much choice for consumers at the moment. While the Mazda Mx-30 or Hyundai Kona Electric may offer little to die-hard Tesla fans, there are others who will be charmed by the design, features and driving experience on offer from the Japanese and Korean brands.

Tesla’s Model 3 does however do everything so well, and as the poster child of the electric vehicle age, should inspire confidence in battery-propelled technology for those looking to transition from ICE vehicles. Tesla Model 3 owners have access to DC rapid chargers across Australia from companies like Evie, Chargefox, and the NRMA, but crucially they also have access to Tesla’s brilliant proprietary (for now) plug-and-play Supercharger network, with around 43 Australian sites at the time of writing.

For those unfamiliar, the latest Tesla Superchargers can add around 120 km (75 miles) of range in five minutes from a low state of charge, and are linked to a Tesla owner’s account, meaning that there’s no signing up to charging apps or paying with credit cards. If your car is eligible to charge on the network, it will perform a ‘handshake’ with Tesla’s charging software and the juice will start flowing in seconds.

Which other vehicles should be on my EV shopping list?

The Polestar 2 will hit Australia in January 2022. Image: Polestar

Kia’s EV6 will rival the likes of Tesla’s Model 3 and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5. Image: Kia Motors.

Although Polestar Australia has released pricing for the upcoming Polestar 2, we’ve excluded it from this article as customer vehicles won’t be available until January. Big things are expected from Chinese brand BYD, as Australian importer Nexport readies a raft of models. The e6 minivan has landed in Australia, but at this stage is only a low-volume import. BYD’s Dolphin hatchback is expected to be released in Australia in 2022. Kia’s EV6 will also be one to consider; look out for more information on this vehicle towards the end of 2021. The Lexus UX 300 e is expected to launch in Australia this November, and we think it will be priced competitively against the Volvo XC 40 Recharge and Mercedes-Benz EQA 250.

For more information on battery electric vehicles on sale in Australia, check out our spreadsheet here

Hyundai kona electric becomes first EV to enter service with New South Wales Police

Kona electric to join Australian police duties

The NSW Police Force has been loaned the vehicle from Hyundai Australia for a period of twelve months.

Hyundai’s Kona Electric has become the first all-electric vehicle enter service with the NSW Police Force. The vehicle is on loan from Hyundai Australia for a period of twelve months.

Kitted out in a striking blue and red livery pack, the Kona Electric won’t be used as a patrol vehicle, rather it will join the Crime Prevention Unit and will be used for community engagement.

According to the automaker, “The addition of a Kona EV to its fleet for 12 months will provide the Nepean Police Area Command with the opportunity to experience the practicality, convenience, driveability and safety of a zero-emission vehicle over the course of their daily patrols. In addition, pressing the Kona EV into service for community engagement events will let the public sample the model’s unique benefits, to win new EV fans.”

Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said “We’re delighted to provide a Kona Electric for use by the NSW Police Force. Deploying Kona Electric within the Nepean Area Command Crime Prevention Unit as well as for community engagement is a terrific opportunity for the NSW Police Force and the public to experience the unique benefits of our long-range, zero-emission battery-electric SUV,”

An AC charger installed in the Penrith Police Station underground secure carpark will allow recharging overnight as well as during the day. With a real-world range of close to 400km (250mi), it’s unlikely that the Kona Electric will need charging between duties.

Although this is little more than a goodwill and marketing exercise, we hope that this short program gets some police officers thinking differently about their patrol vehicles. A number of police departments in the United States are trialing Teslas for general duties, and the results so far have demonstrated considerable savings over internal combustion engined vehicles.

Hyundai will be launching a refreshed Kona Electric sometime in 2021.

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Images: Hyundai Australia

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Hyundai's Kona Electric Debuts a New Look for 2021

Image: Hyundai Australia

Hyundai’s design language, much like the company itself has come a long way over the last few decades. From humble origins echoing the form of best-selling models from Japan and the USA, to the creation of the brand’s own identity under Peter Schreyer, Luc Donckerwolke and SangYup Lee, the 2021 Kona and Kona Electric continue Hyundai’s recently-introduced ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design theme.

The result is a handsome SUV; the front end is confident yet elegant, and somehow mananges to avoid the clumsy look carried by Jeep’s split-headlight offerings, no doubt due to the grill-less nose. The side profile is quite simple, but beefy wheel arches accentuate the Kona Electric’s rugged ambitions, and sharp door creases reduce any slab-sided appearance.

The 2021 Kona Electric will be available in the following colours, but availability may be limited by market:

• Dive in Jeju [New]

• Silky Bronze [New]

• Shimmering Silver [New]

• Ignite Flame [New]

• Misty Jungle [New]

• Surfy Blue [New]

• Teal [New]

• Cyber Grey [New]

• Atlas White [New]

The interior is largely unchanged, but the Kona Electric is a fine (if traditional) place to be. With a new 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster in front of the driver and a 10.25-inch centrally mounted touch screen, information and infotainment is easily at hand.

The Kona Electric comes with a raft of active and passive safety systems under the banner of Hyundai SmartSense:

• [NEW] Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)

• [NEW] Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)

• [NEW] Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA)

• [NEW] Safe Exit Warning (SEW)

• [NEW] Rear Seat Alert (RSA)

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection (FCA-Ped)

• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (SCC w/ S&G)

• Lane Following Assist (LFA)

• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)

• Intelligent Speed Limit Warning (ISLW)

• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)

While there are no changes to the drivetrain, this is no bad thing, with the Kona Electric producing 150kW maximum power and 395Nm of torque from it’s 64kWh battery pack. The battery can be charged via 100kW DC fast charging, topping up from 10-80% in 47 minutes according to Hyundai. The company also claims class-leading range, with a WLTP rating of 484 kilometres.

Charging Times

DC Fast Charging (10-80%)

50kW Charger -64min

100kW Charger - 47min

AC Normal Charging (10-100%)

7.2kW on-board charger - 9h 15min

10.5kW on-board charger - 6h 50min

In Cable Control Box (ICCB) Charging (10-100%)

(220V/12A) - 28h

The Kona Electric is expected to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2021, and is currently priced at $60,740 before on-road costs. European and North American customers can expect cars on the road before the end of 2020.

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11 November, 2020 - Hyundai Motor has made a series of updates to its successful all-electric small SUV, the Kona Electric. In order to make the new Kona Electric an even better product for its customers, the upgrades revolve around design, technology, and practicality.

Since launching in 2018, demand for the Hyundai Kona Electric has exceeded all expectations globally, thanks to its powerful electric drivetrain, long driving range and stylish SUV looks. In just two years, over 120,000 units have been sold globally.

In August, three production models set a new range record of 1,026km on a single battery charge at the Lausitzring in Germany. Meanwhile, in January, the Kona Electric made it into the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ under the category “Highest Altitude Achieved in an Electric Car”, after being driven to an altitude of 5,731m to Sawula Pass in Tibet.

The new Kona Electric has undergone bold design upgrades for a dynamic new look, as well as featuring safety enhancements and an advanced technology package.

“When we launched the Kona Electric in 2018 as the world’s first fully-electric small SUV, it represented a major step forward for affordable e-mobility,” says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe. “With the new Kona Electric, we’re showing that Hyundai is fully committed to zero-emissions driving, by providing our customers with enhanced driving assistance and safety features, making it an even more desirable package.”

Bold exterior design upgrades for a clean and stylish appearance

The new Kona Electric has undergone a series of bold exterior design updates. By combining a clean and sleek appearance with the protective and bold small SUV body type of the Kona, it expresses its exceptional electric technology while being even more recognisable on the road.

The front with the new-look closed grille features a pure and clean design. This modern look is further enhanced by the new LED Daytime Running Lights, which emphasise the car’s wide stance. The front is complemented by an asymmetric charging port, a feature unique to the Kona Electric which makes a strong statement about driving electric.

New, sharper headlamps stretch around the side of the car. The high-tech headlamp inner bezel now incorporates multifaceted reflector (MFR) technology. The headlamps are connected to the painted wheel arch claddings, giving the new Kona Electric a distinctive and sophisticated look. Vertical air inlets in front of the wheel arch claddings enhance its aerodynamics, substantially reducing turbulence in the front wheelhouse area. Meanwhile, a functional air intake in the lower bumper is visually enhanced by horizontal satin accent bars, which give it a pronounced stance.

The rear bumper retains the accent bars to add value to the overall look of the car, while new horizontally-stretched rear lamps complement the pure appearance of the front.

Like the new Kona with internal-combustion powertrains, the new Kona Electric is 40mm longer than the previous version. This ensures it has a dynamic appearance combined with a strong visual stance.

Segment-leading driving range

Like its predecessor, the new Kona Electric offers zero-emissions battery electric powertrains, with no compromises on performance.

The new Kona Electric retains its 64kWh battery and electric motor, which delivers maximum power of 150kW and a maximum speed of 167km/h.

Delivering 395Nm of immediate torque, ensures the new Kona Electric is fun-to-drive with full power available from the first second.

Since its launch in 2018, the Kona Electric has been equipped with one of the best all-electric driving ranges in its segment. With tyre improvements Kona Electric offers a class-leading range of 484km (WLTP) on a single charge.

The shift-by-wire system enables operation of the car simply by pressing buttons to switch driving modes. It also eliminates the routing space required for housing the mechanical linkages between a normal shifter and the transmission, providing additional storage space in the front of the car.

The Smart Adjustable Regenerative Braking system allows the new Kona Electric to automatically set the regenerative braking level, while paddle shifts behind the steering wheel allow the driver to adjust the intensity of the regenerative braking. The system recuperates additional energy when possible. Regenerative braking is maximised when keeping the left pedal held, allowing the driver to even bring the vehicle to a full stop – without use of the brakes.

Charging the lithium-ion polymer battery from 10 to 80 per cent only takes about 47 minutes using a 100kW direct current (DC) fast charger. The Kona Electric features an optional 10.5-kW three-phase on-board charger, allowing for significantly shorter charging times using public three-phase AC charging stations or with a private compatible wall box at home. Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box).

An updated interior with progressive technology

For the first time, the new Kona Electric is equipped with a 10.25-inch digital cluster, while the 10.25-inch multimedia screen is carried over from the last update.

Meanwhile, new ambient light technology illuminates the passenger and driver side footwell, emphasising the lifestyle character of the vehicle. 

Even more best-in-class safety features

The new Kona Electric features a state-of-the-art Hyundai safety package for peace of mind. Hyundai SmartSense provides comprehensive, best-in-class active safety and driving assistance systems, and the new Kona Electric is now equipped with even more functions than its predecessor.

 Upgraded Hyundai SmartSense features that feature on the new Kona Electric include Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), which offer not just warnings to drivers, but also implement the brakes where necessary. RCCA works to avoid a collision when reversing, as the car’s sensors detect approaching vehicles from both sides, with the brakes applied if necessary. Meanwhile, BCA engages the car’s differential brakes to prevent an accident if another vehicle is detected near the rear corner and the driver attempts to change lanes.

Another feature new to this model is Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), which alerts the driver if they do not react fast enough when the vehicle ahead of them starts moving.

Further new safety features include Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and Rear Seat Alert (RSA). SEW warns passengers intending to exit the vehicle if it is not yet safe to do so. RSA is a door-checker feature that recognises if the rear doors have been opened prior to departing. When the drive is completed, the car alerts the driver if someone or something is in the back seat when they open the doors.

Hyundai SmartSense safety features:

• [NEW] Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)

• [NEW] Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)

• [NEW] Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA)

• [NEW] Safe Exit Warning (SEW)

• [NEW] Rear Seat Alert (RSA)

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection (FCA-Ped)

• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (SCC w/ S&G)

• Lane Following Assist (LFA)

• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)

• Intelligent Speed Limit Warning (ISLW)

• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)

Increased comfort and convenience

A number of convenience features allow for a more comfortable ride, in particular for back seat passengers. As with its predecessor, the new Kona Electric’s second row heated seats allow rear passengers to relax when travelling on longer journeys. The new second row USB port delivers additional power to recharge devices on-board if needed.

Meanwhile, an electric parking brake offers even more reassurance for drivers, and can be activated by the simple push of a button. 

Australian Market

• Arriving locally in the first half of 2021

• Long range 64kWh version only for our market (a smaller capacity 39.2kWh model is also offered overseas)