We we’re a bit worried the Hyundai Kona Electric price was going to be a bit too steep for North American buyers, but the Korean automaker has given the electric crossover a very reasonable price tag.

The Kona Electric will start at $76,495 including destination and before government incentives. Factor in the $7,500 zero emission tax credit and the base price of the Kona EV dips below $30k to $29,995 including destination.

This is an attractive price when you consider that the Kona Electric has an EPA certified driving range of 258 miles (415 kilometres). That impressive range is provided by the 64 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, which can also charge from flat to full in 75 minutes when using a 50 kWh Level III quick charger.



The Kona Electric has a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor driving the front wheels, which is rated at 201 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai quotes an official 0-60 mph time of 7.6s and a top speed of 104 mph (167 km/h).

“We’re confident the (Kona Electric) will set new standards for the electric-propelled compact CUV segment, with outstanding value, range flexibility, appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading available safety features,” Mike O’Brien, vice president planning at Hyundai Motor America, said in a statement.

The Kona Electric price is actually the exact same as the Chevrolet Bolt’s, with the Chevy coming in at $37,495 for the base model including destination. The Nissan Leaf undercuts them both, coming in at $30,875 including destination. The Kona Electric has the most range of the three affordable compact EVs, though, with the Bolt rated at 238 miles EPA and the Leaf at 151 miles EPA.

All Kona Electrics will be built at Hyundai’s plant in Ulsan, Korea. Sales will begin in early 2019, with initial availability in California and in “the ZEV-focused states in the western and northeastern regions of the U.S. market,” the automaker says.