Used Hyundai Kona Electric for sale: everything you need to know

It’s no surprise the Hyundai Kona Electric sold well when new. Replaced in 2023 by a second-generation model, the original car launched in 2019 was based on the already-popular petrol Hyundai Kona, and packed a battery big enough for a 300-mile range, comfortably one of the best in a car this size.

It was good value too, something that’s only improved when it began filtering onto the used market. Buy a car two or three years old and you’ll still have a few years left of Hyundai’s five-year warranty, while the smooth electric driving experience has barely dated a day.

If the Kona’s quirky looks don’t quite take your fancy then Hyundai and Kia both offer other EVs that may suit you instead, including the Kia e-Niro and Soul EV, and the regular hatchback-shaped Hyundai Ioniq Electric. Small electric SUVs are growing in popularity too, with models like the Peugeot e-2008 and BYD Atto 3.

Should you buy a Hyundai Kona Electric?

As we mention in our full review of the Kona Electric, the first generation of Hyundai’s compact electric crossover is one of the best EVs of its kind, and that doesn’t change as a used buy. It’s a good car in many respects but two features in particular stand out: its 300-mile range in bigger-battery models, and Hyundai’s five-year warranty, which means many used examples will still have a year or two of that warranty left for your peace of mind.

A brand new Kona Electric appeared in 2023 which has helped push used prices down a little further too, so you can get a genuinely useful electric car for less money than you might expect. Underneath it all is Hyundai’s popular Kona crossover, also available in petrol form, but the Electric is the pick of the range.

Like a lot of EVs it’s quick off the mark, and silent with it, but the compact dimensions mean it’s both relatively nimble and also easy to place in city driving, and you get decent visibility too. The cabin design isn’t as flashy as some other EVs in this class (nor its newer replacement) but it’s still modern, comfortable, and easy to operate.

The Kona doesn’t have the biggest cabin - the rear seats are better suited to kids than adults, and the 332-litre boot is only average. It’s still new enough to be safe though (the Kona got a five-star EuroNCAP rating when new) and higher-spec versions in particular really piled on the driver assistance features.

Hyundai and subsidiary Kia both offer a strong lineup of EVs, and the slightly larger Kia e-Niro, the boxier Kia Soul EV, and the more car-like Hyundai Ioniq Electric are all potential alternatives to the Kona. From other brands, similar crossover-style EVs include the sporty MG4, the stylish Peugeot e-2008, and the BYD Atto 3.

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What’s the best used Hyundai Kona Electric model to buy?

If you’re fairly sure you’ll be driving the Kona only locally then you can save a few quid by opting for models with the smaller battery pack, and the 189-mile claimed range is still better than a lot of other small EVs. If it’s your household’s main car though, finding a 64kWh version makes sense, and there’s greater choice on the used market too. As well as a longer range (300 miles officially), you get more performance, and the bigger battery was coupled to higher trim levels so you’ll find cars are better equipped too.

Used Hyundai Kona Electric range and performance

• Hyundai Kona Electric 39.2kWh: Entry-level Konas get a 136PS electric motor with a 39.2kWh battery pack. The motor is good for 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds, while the battery facilitates a WLTP combined range of 189 miles.
• Hyundai Kona Electric 64kWh: Bigger-battery versions of the Kona get not just a 64kWh pack, for 300 miles of claimed range, but also a 201PS motor for 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds.

What used Hyundai Kona Electric trim levels are available?

The Kona Electric’s three-tier lineup is well-equipped across the board, with even the entry-level SE Connect getting items like active cruise control and a reversing camera, while the trim levels above that really pack a lot into quite a compact car.

• The Hyundai Kona Electric SE Connect comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, adaptive cruise control, a 10.25-inch driver display and 10.25-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker audio, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and keyless entry.
• The Hyundai Kona Electric Premium adds blind spot collision avoidance assist, heated front seats, LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, and wireless phone charging.
• The Hyundai Kona Electric Ultimate gets electric front seat adjustment, ventilated front seats, a head-up display, heated outer rear seats, leather seat trim, and an electric sunroof.

Used Hyundai Kona Electric dimensions and boot size

The Hyundai Kona Electric’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4205mm
• Width: 1800mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1570mm

The Hyundai Kona Electric’s boot size is:

• 332 litres
• 1114 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)

Used Hyundai Kona Electric road tax

Like other electric cars, the Kona Electric has zero-rated VED, which means that while you’ll still get a tax reminder through the post, you won’t actually pay anything when you tax your car. This is set to change in 2025, but it’s unlikely tax will be a significant cost even then.

How much is it to insure a Hyundai Kona Electric?

A Kona Electric in SE Connect form with the smaller battery kicks off with a group 20 rating, which rises to group 21 for a car in Premium trim. With the larger 64kWh battery pack, you get a group 24 rating in both Premium and Ultimate spec. Like a lot of EVs this is higher than you’ll get on a regular petrol Kona, but about par for the class - a Peugeot e-2008 is in group 25-26 depending on trim.

Read our full Hyundai Kona Electric review