2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2021 Kona Electric is a direct carryover from the previous model year, meaning there were no updates made to move it to the new model...

The 2021 Kona Electric is a direct carryover from the previous model year, meaning there were no updates made to move it to the new model year. That said, there’s still plenty to talk about, as the Kona remains competitive in an increasingly crowded EV space.

Just like the year before it, the 2021 Kona Electric is offered in three trims: SEL, Limited, and Ultimate. All models are powered by a 150-kilowatt/201-horsepower electric motor that sends power to the front wheels. The Kona Electric’s 64-kilowatt-hour battery pack is good for an EPA-estimated range of 258 miles. The 2021 Kona Electric rolls on 17-inch wheels and offers Comfort, Eco, and Sport driving modes.

Inside, every Kona Electric model offers heated seats, though only the range-topping Ultimate trim comes with ventilated seating. A 7-inch touchscreen is standard and comes with six speakers, SiriusXM Radio, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen that includes navigation and traffic information via HD Radio.

Safety isn’t an afterthought in the Kona Electric, and many of the most desirable advanced features are available in the base SEL trim level. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist are all standard, while forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, a parking-distance warning system, and high-beam assist are held back for higher trims. Though the 2021 model hasn’t yet been crash-tested, the 2020 Kona earned a “Top Safety Pick” designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Kona Electric starts at $38,565 after a mandatory $1,175 destination charge and is on sale now. It’s worth noting that some colors carry extra costs, as even plain white is a $300 upsell for the car.