2023 Hyundai Kona Electric
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 134 / 106 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 120 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $600 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $32,543–$39,107 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric at 7.9/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.6/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 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 6.5/10 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 7.9/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $32,543–$39,107, 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 — 8.3/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2023 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 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric ranks #52 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 81% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $32,543 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 38%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.9 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $34,556 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $33,550 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $32,543 | |
| 2022 | 8.0/10 | $31,537 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $30,530 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $29,524 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $28,517 | Read review → |
We rate the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric's reliability 8.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.9/10 overall, ranking #52 of 268 evs in our database (better than 81% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric starts at $32,543 and ranges up to $39,107 across trims (MSRP when new). At 120 MPG, expect roughly $438/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
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