Performance
The powertrain of the KIA Niro EV can deliver up to 150 kW (204 hp) of power in its in its 64 kWh battery version. This enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 167 km/h.
On board the Hyundai KONA, the same 100 kW (136 hp) and 150 kW (204 hp) motors deliver 395 Nm of torque. However, weighing around 50 kg less and with a more aggressive acceleration profile, the Hyundai KONA Electric accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds with the 150 kW motor and 9.3 seconds with the 100 kW motor.
In terms of driving pleasure, both vehicles are capable of lively acceleration. Both are equipped with 4 driving modes: Sport, Normal, Eco and Eco+. The latter restricts the use of air conditioning and heating, and limits the maximum speed to 90 km/h. It's worth noting that the Niro EV is more comfort-oriented, while the KONA prefers sportiness. This can be felt under acceleration, where the KONA will more easily squeal its tires, the Niro EV will invite you to drive more gently.
Draw :
We'll choose the Hyundai KONA for sportiness and the KIA Niro EV for more relaxed driving.
Summary table of power ratings
| Power (kW / 395 Nm) | 0 to 100 km/h | |
|---|---|---|
|
Kia Niro EV |
150 kW (204 hp) |
7.8 seconds |
|
Hyundai KONA 39 kWh |
100 kW / 395 Nm (136 hp) |
9.3 seconds |
|
Hyundai KONA 64 kWh |
150 kW / 395 Nm (204 hp) |
7.6 seconds |
When it comes to range, the equation is different for the KIA Niro EV or the Hyundai KONA. With its 64 kWh battery, the Niro EV has a range of 460 km according to the WLTP cycle. The KONA electric does slightly better, with a range of 312 km. On the version with the 64 kWh battery, the range is 482 km.
In terms of fuel consumption, however, the KONA does better than its KIA counterpart. In road tests, the two SUVs had roughly the same range.
On the freeway, the two Koreans are particularly efficient, thanks to their aerodynamics and high-performance engine. You can easily cover more than 300 km with the long-range version on the highway.
The battery packs are designed by LG Chem. They are liquid-cooled, enabling them to maintain their performance in the event of multiple rapid recharging sessions or very high or very low outside temperatures.
Victory for the Hyundai KONA
Summary table of autonomies
| WLTP range | Combined fuel consumption WLTP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Kia Niro EV 64 kWh |
460 km |
171 Wh/km |
|
Hyundai KONA 39 kWh |
312 km |
139 Wh/km |
|
Hyundai KONA 64 kWh |
482 km |
154 Wh/km |
Discover the electric cars available from Beev
Refill
On the subject of recharging, once again there's no contest between the KIA and the Hyundai. Both vehicles are equipped with the same battery packs and internal chargers. The charging port is on the front of the vehicle, making it easy to park in front of a charging point.
There is, however, a notable difference between the 64 kWh version at both KIA and Hyundai. So, for example, if you connect the Hyundai KONA 39 kWh and 64 kWh to a 100 kW charging point, they will both take 54 min to recover 80% of their range. However, on a 50 kW terminal, the 39 kWh version will finish charging in 57 min, compared with 75 min for the 64 kWh version.
Indeed, whether it's the KIA Niro EV or the Hyundai, the 64 kWh battery version is capable of a recharging speed of 80 kW. The result is that recharging with the long-range version allows you to recover many more kilometers per minute at a fast charging station.
If you're charging at home, the KIA Niro EV, like the Hyundai KONA, is equipped with a 7.2 kW internal charger. Thanks to a suitable home terminal, otherwise known as a Wallbox, both the KIA and the Hyundai will charge their 39 kWh batteries in 6 hours and 10 minutes. For the 64 kWh battery, it will take 9 hours and 40 minutes to recharge from 0 to 100%.
Hyundai has announced that the 2020 KONA electric will be available with an 11 kW charger, reducing charging time from 9 hours 40 minutes to less than 7 hours. KIA has yet to announce whether its Niro EV will feature the same improvement.
Draw
Summary table of recharge times
| 7.2 kW terminal (0 to 100%) | 50 kW terminal (0 to 80%) | 100 kW terminal (0 to 80%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kia Niro EV 64 kWh |
10h30 |
64 min |
41 min |
|
Hyundai KONA 39 kWh |
6h24 |
34 min |
26 min |
|
Hyundai KONA 64 kWh |
10h27 |
56 min |
42 min |
Dimensions and weights
The Hyundai KONA and KIA Niro EV have different designs. While the KONA is positioned as an urban SUV, the Niro EV is more like a truck. In fact, the Niro EV is some 20 cm longer than the KONA. This difference is reflected in the rear-seat legroom and trunk space.
The Niro EV has 451 liters of trunk space, 119 liters more than the KONA, which has 332 liters. The difference is even greater when the rear seats are folded down. At 1405 liters, the Niro EV's cargo space is 291 liters larger than the 1114 liters of its rival, the Hyundai KONA.
The wheelbase, i.e. the length between the front and rear axles, is 2.6 metres. That's 10 centimetres less than on the Niro EV, and 10 cm less for the rear seats.
For both the Niro EV and the KONA, the battery has an impact on weight. The 39 kWh version of the Kona weighs 1,535 kg, less than the 1,757 kg of the Niro EV 64 kWh. The 64 kWh battery version, on the other hand, weighs in at 1685 kg for the KONA.
Victory for the KIA Niro EV
Dimensions summary table
| Kia Niro EV | Hyundai KONA | |
|---|---|---|
|
Length (in cm) |
4420 |
4180 |
|
Width (in cm) |
1825 |
1800 |
|
Height (in cm) |
1585 |
1570 |
|
Wheelbase (cm) |
2720 |
2600 |
|
Trunk/maximum volume (in L) |
475/1392 |
332/1114 |
Availability and prices
Priced from €34,900 (excluding incentives and bonuses) with Intuitive trim and 39 kWh battery, the Hyundai KONA is the least expensive Korean electric SUV.
In this entry-level trim, the KONA is very well equipped, with a 7-inch touchscreen compatible with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, cruise control, automatic headlights and automatic climate control.
To access the long-range version with the 64 kWh battery, you'll need to pay €39,700 (excluding premiums and bonuses). Prices then rise to €46,400 for the Executive finish, the model's top-of-the-range version. From 2020, the 64 kWh battery version will feature a new 11 kW charger.
At KIA, the entry ticket is €41,990 (excluding bonuses). For this price, you'll have access to the ACTIVE trim at €43,990 and €45,590 for the PREMIUM trim.
Victory for the Hyundai KONA
See also: Regional aid for the purchase of an electric vehicle in Île-de-France
Kia Niro EV VS Hyundai KONA: the result
Points summary :
- Performance: Draw
- Autonomy: Victory for the Hyundai KONA
- Refill: Draw
- Dimensions and weight: Victory for the KIA Niro EV
- Availability and pricing: Hyundai KONA wins the race
With 4 points for the Hyundai KONA and 3 points for the KIA e-Niro, the KONA won the KONA wins.
It's a close match between the two electric SUVs from Hyundai and KIA. Both based on the same technical platform, the Korean group is demonstrating its expertise in long-range electric vehicles.
Today, however, there's a price difference of €3,600 between the two entry-level rivals.
While the KONA presents itself as a sporty little urban SUV, the KIA Niro EV is more like a relaxed wagon for weekend getaways.
Find the complete technical specifications of the Hyundai KONA electric and KIA Niro EV
What about you? Which do you prefer? Tell us all about it in the comments.
