• Mon. Oct 7th, 2024

It’s not Chinese, but it costs less than a Tesla Model Y, with a better interior and more range

ByDerrick Rodriguez

Oct 13, 2023
It's not Chinese, but it costs less than a Tesla Model Y, with a better interior and more range

Those immersed in the search for an electric car that presents a good balance between price, size, and range know how difficult it is to find a model that, while meeting these three requirements, does not come from a Chinese manufacturer or is not a Tesla. Fortunately, other brands are increasingly refining their solutions to come up with options that gradually approach what Elon Musk’s company offers or the prices of electric cars from the Asian giant.

In the case we highlight today, moreover, it’s a successful SUV that, in its renovation, has arrived loaded with technology and has also dared to surpass the range of the base model of the Tesla Model Y, all for a significantly lower price. This is the new Hyundai Kona in its 65.4 kWh battery specification. Of the two variants already available in Spain, it is the most powerful in terms of dynamics and range.

Hyundai Kona
The exterior design has a strong technological accent.

It’s true that it is a B-SUV, so an SUV that is two categories below the Model Y, but that should not prevent it from being considered a purchase option before the Tesla, which it improves in terms of perceived interior quality.

Another area where the Kona excels is loading capacity. It is far from the over 800 liters of the Tesla, which clearly crushes almost all other cars, but the Kona offers a loading capacity closer to the C segment than the B-SUV thanks to its 466 liters of trunk volume.

Hyundai Kona
Technically, it is a B-SUV, but in terms of trunk volume and range, it competes with higher models.

Technically, this car is based on the same electric concept as the successful e-Niro. As mentioned above, its architecture is based on a battery with a net capacity of 65.4 kWh and a 204 hp engine on the front axle. This allows it to achieve an approved autonomy of 514 kilometers, 59 kilometers more than the 455 kilometers of the Model Y.

In addition, the model comes with a warranty of five years or 100,000 kilometers, which will be rare since Hyundai has become one of the most reliable manufacturers in the world, an aspect that Tesla cannot boast, as it is the brand that most encourages its customers to go to the workshop, according to some reports.

The electric Kona is offered in Spain at a price of 45,350 euros. It is not a low price, but it is 1,140 euros less than the Model Y in its base specification. Because of this difference, many will prefer the space and power of the Model Y. On the other hand, more traditional and brand-conscious people will find the Kona a wiser option.”