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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 132 / 108 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 120 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $600 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $29,524–$39,788 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric at 7.7/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.6/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 8.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.6/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.6/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $29,524–$39,788, 120 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Kona Electric sits in the mid-market bracket of the ev segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.1/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric is a solid, well-rounded ev that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric ranks #89 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 67% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $29,524 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 44%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $35k →
Across the Kona Electric model years we've scored, the 2020 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $34,556 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $33,550 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $32,543 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.0/10 | $31,537 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $30,530 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $29,524 | |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $28,517 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 01/03/2021 · 21V127000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit. |
|---|---|
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery / Management system/energy control module (bms/becm) / Software 13/10/2020 · 20V630000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist / Electric / Control module / Software 01/12/2020 · 20V748000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric's reliability 8.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.7/10 overall, ranking #89 of 268 evs in our database (better than 67% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric starts at $29,524 and ranges up to $39,788 across trims (MSRP when new). At 120 MPG, expect roughly $438/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.