Why This EV Is A Hidden Gem In The Used Market

If you’re trying to find a hidden gem in the used electric vehicle market, you would probably only need one minute to find one. Tons of underrated electric vehicles are definitely worth buying. Each one seems to excel in a particular area or has a bold reason why it deserves more recognition. There’s a good amount because the EV industry is constantly changing and evolving, and it’s one of the most lethal car platforms in terms of competition, ingenuity, and fuel economy. You name it; The EV industry does not run on “hopes and dreams”; rather, this area of the field means business.

If you really think about it, a lot of car manufacturers are still testing the waters and building off of platforms until a solid one comes out. This can be said for some of the heavy hitters like Mercedes, who produce some innovative EVs but still haven’t perfected the craft. Well, it’s the car world, and will a car ever be perfect? That simple answer is yes, with models like the F40 Ferrari and Ford GT40 existing. Countless used EVs deserve some more recognition, but there’s one that excels in affordability and simplicity.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Hyundai and other authoritative sources, including Kelly Blue Book and EPA.

A Used Hyundai Kona Electric Is Still A Worthy Buy

You Can Get A 2019 Model For As Low As ~$14,000

The first-generation Kona Electric is arguably one of the most underrated used electric vehicles on the market. It doesn’t help that its more likable siblings steal some of the limelight, but the Kona EV encapsulates practicality and simplicity. Not everything in the EV world is flashy and futuristic, which is hard to believe because most models fit the bill, but the Kona EV is a prime example of a model that contradicts when people say that “EVs act and look nothing like your traditional gas-powered cars”. If you’re trying to hop into a model that keeps things simple while tying in convenience, a used Kona Electric might be one to look at.

You Can Opt For A Newer Or Older One

If you’re trying to broaden your search, the Kona Electric from 2019 to 2023 are prime candidates since they’re very similar with minor exterior changes. If you’re trying to save as much cash as you can, the earlier years will save you a couple of grand more, or if you’re trying to have the most up-to-date model out of the generations with all the fixes and updates, then you’d likely be better off with the 2023 model. Either way, a used Kona Electric is great because you aren’t limited to just one year; you can search for up to five-year-old models

Difference Between The 2019 and 2023 Kona Electric

When it comes to the differences between the years on the Kona Electric, you’re primarily looking at 2019 through 2021 and 2022 through 2023. In 2024, Hyundai released the second generation Kona, which isn’t the model being discussed today. The first group is paired up (2019-2021) because, in 2022, Hyundai did a minor facelift and several minimal changes to the Kona Electric. Before the facelift, the Kona Electric had unpainted exterior wheel fenders and plastics, whereas the 2022 Hyundai started to paint these panels.

The 2019 through 2021 came with projector headlights that turned while driving with the Ultimate package, while the newer years came with different headlight reflectors and got rid of the incandescent lamps with an LED setup. The exterior was the focal point of these changes, with other minor areas being the dimples located on the front bumper, which were smoothed out and removed in the newer years. While it doesn’t pertain to the facelift, it’s worth noting that the 2019 model had a significant recall where the lithium-ion battery could short-circuit and be a fire risk. This was later fixed in the following years.

A 201-Horsepower Powertrain

Many car brands will update powertrains on one generation or tweak some areas that can affect the performance or fuel economy, but it’s all the same when it comes to the first-generation Kona EV. From 2019 to 2023, all models are powered by a single permanent-magnet synchronous motor, producing 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. These models came standard with a single-speed transmission and a front-wheel-drive transmission. The first-gen Kona Electric utilizes a 64.0-kWh battery and is able to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent on a level three charger in 47 minutes.

2019-2023 Kona EV Performance Specifications

From 2019 To 2023, The Kona Electric Delivers 258 Miles Of Driving Range

Exactly like the powertrain, the fuel economy and range are nearly identical across the board. The 2019 Kona Electric, up to the 2023 MY, offers a combined fuel economy of 120 MPGe and an overall driving range of 258 miles. The minor changes include the fuel economy in the city, with the 2019 offering 132 MPGe and the 2023 offering 134 MPGe. This two-point difference is also seen in the highway fuel economy, with the first year providing 108 MPGe, whereas the 2023 offered 106 MPGe. These are very minor and would likely go unnoticed.

2019 Versus 2023 Hyundai Kona EV Fuel Economy And Range

A Newer Used Kona Electric Sits Below $20,000

Just so you weren’t set up for a “bamboozle” or were pitched something that ended up being the complete opposite, the main takeaway of the used Kona EV is that it is one of the best-priced used models on the market. This isn’t saying that its features are lacking, or that its design is bad, or anything of that nature; rather, its price tag is what really shines. Hyundai has provided four trims on the first-generation Kona Electric, with some coming and going along the way.

Kona EV Used Prices And Trims

In 2019, three trims were available on the Kona Electric: SEL, Limited, and Ultimate. Hyundai initially listed it for $36,950 to $44,900, but today, it has depreciated quite a lot. The 2019 Kona Electric currently carries an average used price of $14,173 to $14,610. In 2022, Hyundai dropped the Ultimate trim and brought the SE trim in 2023. The 2023 Kona Electric sat in the same ballpark as the 2019 when it came to its MSRP, but today its average used price is $19,155 to $21,624. That’s a couple of grand more than the older model, but both are relatively affordable and come down to personal preference along with the wants and needs when picking what year to go with. But for all years, offering a trim that sits below $20,000 is no easy feat.

Exploring The Interior Of A Used Kona EV

Hyundai keeps the interior simple and minimalist on the Kona Electric. These designs can be seen in its siblings, such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, which have sterile but convenient interior environments. Hyundai implements “modern” style themes with floating displays and seating that can be cloth or dual-tone leather. Speaking of its siblings, if you were to compare the three, it’s likely most people would opt for one of the “Ioniq” models since both offer a bit more in terms of technology and features. The Ioniq models are amazing EVs, but it should be noted that the Kona Electric wasn’t set out to be the most appealing EV. Hyundai already had “premium” models in the works and set this electric SUV as an entryway to owning an electric car, which it ultimately does almost perfectly. In the end, the Kona Electric is priced correctly, and when it comes to the cabin, it provides adequate space and plenty of comfort to go around.

Diving Into Hyundai’s Innovative Technology

The exterior changes weren’t the only changes on the facelift in 2022 on the Kona Electric. Regarding the interior, the center-stack and center-cluster display were all new, along with a large 10.25-inch screen. The last slightly updated area was the lower center console storage, which was equipped with wireless charging capability and additional space. All years provided Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM Radio, and “next-generation Blue Link”. From 2019 to 2021, the Kona EV comes standard with a seven-inch LCD multimedia display or an upgraded 8-inch navigational touchscreen. To optimize space, the seven-inch LCD gauge cluster powered the driver’s seats, heated seating, and climate controls. A head-up display is available for all years and displays speed, navigation, safety, and audio system information.

The Kona Electric Is An Unsung Hero Of The Used EV Market

The Kona Electric isn’t some out-of-this-world model, especially when it comes to the stellar designs and innovative technology seen on models such as Mercedes EVs or a Rivian SUV, but that’s not the point of this electric SUV. Times have changed, especially in the automatic world, with even the affordable models having to bring it their all and not just being a car whose sole purpose is to go from point A to point B. That’s not the only thing the Kona Electric does, but overall, it does a fantastic job at bringing in convenient features, offers an impressive fuel economy, and keeps it under budget. As always, there are more examples that are just like the first-generation Kona Electric, but this model deserves a bit more recognition and is a solid steal in 2025.