2023-08-28 09:08:21
Displayed from 40,850 euros, the new Hyundai Kona Electric is more expensive than some of its rivals. But how does the Korean manufacturer explain this inflation? And above all, is it really justified? We take stock.
Hyundai wants to accelerate on the electric and is planning a major offensive over the next few years, just like Kia, which has just unveiled new photos of its EV5. For this, the Korean firm recently launched its new Kona Electric, which we were able to discover last June.
A sharply rising price
Until now, the manufacturer had not yet lifted the veil on the price of this zero-emission version (exhaust). It is now done, as revealed by the journalists of l’Argus who have had access to the full price list. And the least we can say is that the electric SUV has suffered the brunt of inflation. Indeed, the latter now starts from 40,850 euros.
Which is no less than 3,750 euros more than the older generation. If the arrival of a new version is often synonymous with an increase, it is still quite significant. Which can be surprising, especially compared to other brands which rather lower their prices following the fall operated by Tesla.
Hyundai Kona // Source : Marie Lizak pour Frandroid
Admittedly, the SUV is still eligible for the ecological bonus of 5,000 euros, but the pill remains difficult to swallow. And for good reason, the Kona Electric costs a little more than the restyled Peugeot e-2008, which we tested and which starts from 40,150 euros. It is also dangerously close to the Volkswagen ID.3, whose entry ticket is displayed from 42,990 euro.
Of course, this price is for the Korean SUV in its entry-level version, equipped with the small 48.4 kWh battery, which offers a range of 377 kilometers according to the European WLTP cycle, compared to 305 km previously. The power is on the increase compared to the previous version, sinceit is displayed at 156 horsepower, against 136 horsepower previously. A figure identical to the Peugeot e-2008, yet less expensive.
A nice endowment
Because if you rather want to opt for the version equipped with the large 65.4 kWh battery which allows this new version to travel up to 514 kilometers on a single charge (compared to 484 km previously), it will be necessary to lengthen the check. Indeed, this version, with 217 horsepower, is displayed from 44,250 euros in its entry-level Intuitive version. This is equivalent to 39,250 euros once the bonus has been deducted.
But are these very high prices really justified? Admittedly, the performance of the electric SUV is up, while the charging time drops from 47 to 41 minutes at a power of 103 kW in direct current. But still, the increase remains very strong. Especially when in parallel, the Model Y drops for cost today only 45,990 eurosecological bonus not deducted.
Truth be told, where the electric SUV stands out, it is on the side of its rather generous endowment, from the entry level. The Intuitive finish comes standard with a host of features, including hands-free access and keyless start, reversing camera, route planner and intelligent adaptive cruise control, which is coming for the first time on the Kona.
The 12.3-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also part of the staffing, as is the digital handset of the same size.
However, its rivals have almost the same standard equipment, with a few minor details. But if the Kona increases so much, it is in particular because its dimensions are increasing, while certain features such as parking assistance are new to the entry-level finish. Also note that the 11 kW three-phase charger comes standard for the first time. This is not the case on the Peugeot e-2008, which offers it as an option. The Korean SUV also features two-way V2L charging, included in the highest-end Executive finish.
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