2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Pricing Very Obviously Targets the Chevy Bolt

Hyundai’s Kona Electric is gradually seeping into select dealerships across the United States, requiring the company to (finally) make a definitive statement about its price. While our time spent with the model was brief, it left a positive initial impression. Clearly targeting the likes of Chevrolet’s Bolt and Tesla’s Model 3, the Kona EV did a fine job standing its ground and injecting a fun persona into alternative-energy vehicles.

While good, we held off on declaring it a modern masterpiece until we knew how much Hyundai planned to sell it for. Too expensive and people will tune out because, despite its unique charms, it’s technically still a subcompact crossover from a budget-friendly automaker — slick electric powertrain notwithstanding. Too cheap and the company is basically throwing money out the window, as the model is unlikely to be manufactured in high volumes and the brand can fall back on the federal government’s EV tax credits to absorb some of the cost.

In the end, Hyundai decided to split the difference. The Kona Electric starts at $37,495 (after destination) for the base SEL trim — matching the Chevy Bolt’s MSRP near enough not to seriously influence any purchasing decisions.

That nets you the Kona’s electric motor, which produces 201 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque, and the 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery from which it feeds. Estimated range is excellent at 258 miles, and standard features abound. The Kona Electric comes with keyless entry, push-button start, heated front seats, LED taillights, and a 7.0-inch center screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hyundai also incorporated forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision with alerts, and rear cross-traffic collision warning at no additional expense.

Stepping up into the Limited model nets you a $42,195 price tag and more equipment — including LED headlamps with high-beam assist, leather seats, a sunroof, a power adjustable front seat, wireless device charging, and an upgraded rearview mirror with HomeLink.

However, for $45,695, you can have the Ultimate trim and some pretty nice equipment. The touch screen is upsized to 8.0 inches and incorporates an Infinity Premium audio system and navigation. Front seats are now ventilated, and Hyundai chucked in a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display for the driver. The Ultimate also benefits from a more robust safety suite that adds pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and more parking assistance.

While we would have liked to see Hyundai bake in a little more standard equipment in a car that costs $37,495 before the federal tax credit, we know EVs don’t play by the same rules as their internal combustion counterparts. You can’t compare the base Kona Electric with a well-equipped Ford Fusion Hybrid because almost no one cross-shops the pair. The fact that they can cross prices is largely irrelevant to interested parties.

If you want a trendy EV, you have to pay more. But, when compared to its rivals, the Kona still stands out as a pretty good value — offering decent equipment, superior range, and a little character to boot. For EV shoppers who aren’t made of money, this would absolutely be one to consider.

The 2019 Kona Electric is only available in California right now, though Hyundai said it will start sending product to “ZEV-focused states in the western and northeastern regions of the U.S. market” later this year.

[Images: Hyundai]