A compact EV that looks sweet from a distance but shows its real personality good, bad, and a little unpredictable once you actually live with it.
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AI summarized this news · Reviewed by Gear Choice
The first time I saw the hyundai kona quietly parked in a corner of the showroom, it gave me a strange feeling. Looks like a cute little crossover, but inside it carries the attitude of a proper EV. But let me be blunt the story isn’t as perfect as the hype usually makes it sound.
Design & Road Presence small body, decent attitude
To be honest, Kona isn’t the kind of car people look at and instantly say “wow”. But once, stuck in traffic at the Delhi–Gurgaon border, I saw it slip ahead of me and finally understood why some folks stare. The clean face, slim LEDs a slight European vibe, a bit quirky. Sometimes the side profile feels a little hatchback-ish. But fine, everything doesn’t have to be perfect.
Performance calm, predictable sometimes too predictable
For me, the biggest thrill in any EV is the instant torque. Kona has it, but not the “push-you-into-the-seat” type. And the company’s bold range claims? Well I remember another EV won’t name it that made the exact same promises and then delivered 30–35% less in the real world. Kona shows similar mood swings. Good for city, slightly stressful on the highway.
A small personal incident software and its mood swings
During one test drive, the touchscreen froze. A full 40–45 seconds. And the reverse camera also timed out. The dealer calmly said, “Sir, update aayega, fix ho jayega.” Yes, he said it just like that. But even today two Kona owners have DM’d me saying they face the same issue occasionally. Small bug, yes, but in an EV the software confidence is the foundation.
Interior premium at first glance, budget hints underneath
The cabin looks sorted initially. Nice steering feel, comfortable seating height. But the AC knobs and some plastic bits the moment you touch them, you can feel a bit of cost-cutting.
File Photo : Hyundai Kona EV – Stylish and driver-focused
And yeah, another little anecdote. At a press event, one Hyundai representative casually said Sir Kona was always meant to hit a lower price point, so some compromises are natural. That’s the moment a question I always had in my head got silently confirmed.
Ride Quality quiet, but gets sharp over bad patches
For daily use, Kona’s suspension feels fine. Good grip in the city. But in pothole-heavy cities like Mumbai, you occasionally hear a stone-like thud from the rear. EV weight behaves differently, and Kona makes you feel it.
Charging Experience smooth, but depends entirely on your city
Hyundai has kept fast-charging fairly stable. But if your city isn’t EV-ready yet, Kona’s charm becomes half. And the fast-charging speeds they claim? Only in ideal conditions. A little heat, a little thermal throttling and charging slows down. The first time this happened to me, I thought the charger was faulty. Turns out, the battery was just being over-smart.
Is the Kona a practical EV?
From what I’ve seen, the hyundai kona is a sensible choice for compact EV buyers especially those with predictable daily drives and who want a safe entry into the EV world. But it’s not perfect. Occasional software drama, some cheap interior bits, and the optimistic range claims can get irritating.
File Photo : Hyundai Kona EV – Sharp rear design with LED tail lamps
Oh, and one more thing if you do long drives often, there are better options now. Hyundai won’t say this openly, but real users say it every day.
My verdict-like statement
Kona is an honest EV. Some things are great, some just okay, and some should’ve definitely been better. But in the EV lineup, it feels like a dependable stepping stone for people shifting from petrol/diesel to EV without wanting a big gamble.
If you’re planning to buy it, do NOT decide after a quick weekend test drive. Kona is one of those cars you can’t understand in two days but in a week, everything becomes crystal clear.
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What is the initial impression of the Hyundai Kona's design?
The Hyundai Kona initially appears as a cute, small crossover but carries the attitude of a proper EV. However, the article suggests it might not live up to all the hype.
How is the design and road presence of the Hyundai Kona described?
The Kona's design is described as having a clean face, slim LEDs, and a slightly European, quirky vibe, making it distinctive in traffic despite not being an instant 'wow' car.
How does the Hyundai Kona perform in terms of acceleration and range?
The Kona offers instant torque, though not the 'push-you-into-the-seat' type. Its real-world range often falls short of company claims, making it good for city driving but potentially stressful on highways.
Are there any reported software issues with the Hyundai Kona?
Yes, during a test drive, the touchscreen froze and the reverse camera timed out. Some owners have also reported facing similar occasional software glitches.
What is the quality of the Hyundai Kona's interior like?
The cabin appears sorted and premium at first glance, with a nice steering feel and comfortable seating. However, touching the AC knobs and some plastic bits reveals hints of cost-cutting.
How is the ride quality of the Hyundai Kona?
The Kona offers fine suspension and good grip for daily city use. However, it can feel sharp over bad patches and potholes, with a noticeable 'stone-like thud' from the rear due to its EV weight.
What is the charging experience like for the Hyundai Kona?
The fast-charging experience is generally smooth but heavily relies on the city's EV infrastructure. Claimed fast-charging speeds are often only achieved in ideal conditions, as thermal throttling can slow it down.
