Review: Hyundai Kona Electric.
Our full review · Specs & price Belgium 2026
Real-world range = WLTP × 0.78 (Belgian winter conditions, motorway 130 km/h). Official BE configurator price, .
Our review of the Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric 65 kWh is the most versatile small electric SUV in its price bracket in Belgium. From €36,990 it offers 395 km of real-world range, a 5-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and decent practicality for a 4.35 m footprint that parks anywhere in Brussels. Its weak spot is well known: rapid charging tops out at 100 kW, far from the 800-volt architecture of its IONIQ 5 and EV6 cousins.
Driving & comfort
On Brussels cobbles and Walloon back roads, the Kona's firm suspension passes every bump through to the cabin: it's the most consistent owner complaint, especially over long distances. In town, its compact size (4.35 m), tight turning circle and high driving position make it easy to live with. The 217 hp (160 kW) is plenty to merge onto the R0 ring road or overtake on the E40 motorway. Sound insulation is decent rather than class-leading, and some drivers report a faint reduction-gear noise at low speed. Rear space is tight for three adults, but the 466 L boot swallows the weekly shop and a pushchair.
Daily charging
Day to day, the Kona charges overnight on an 11 kW home wallbox: reckon on about 7 hours for a full charge, comfortably done before the morning departure. That's where this car is in its element. On the motorway, rapid charging is capped at 100 kW: a 10→80% takes 41 minutes, and you only recover around 162 km in 15 minutes. For a Brussels–coast run or a round trip to the Ardennes, that's fine. To string together 800 km south to France, you have to accept longer stops than on an IONIQ 5 (18 minutes on 800 V). In a Belgian winter, real-world range drops to around 280-320 km at −5°C; the heat pump, available depending on trim, limits the damage.
Total cost of ownership
Charging at home (around €0.30/kWh in Belgium), the Kona costs €5 to €6 per 100 km, versus €9 to €11 for an equivalent diesel SUV: over 15,000 km a year, the fuel gap is around €700 to €800. Servicing an EV is limited to the annual inspection, tyres and brake fluid, well below a combustion car. On tax, the Kona pays the minimum TMC (registration tax) in Wallonia; in Flanders, EVs remain exempt from registration tax and road tax. As a company car, 100% tax deductibility and a reduced benefit-in-kind keep the model fiscally attractive in 2026. The 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty is a strong card on the used market.
- 5-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty, 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty
- 395 km of real-world range for a 4.35 m urban SUV
- Compact size, ideal for parking in town (Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent)
- 466 L boot and decent practicality for the class
- Available heat pump: winter range preserved
- Rapid charging capped at 100 kW: 41 min for a 10→80%, twice as slow as the 800 V IONIQ 5 and EV6 cousins
- Firm suspension that passes bumps through on long trips: the number-one owner complaint
- Rear space tight for three adults
- Some reduction-gear noise reported at low speed
Our verdictThe Kona Electric 65 kWh is the sensible choice: a well-sorted urban SUV, warranted for 5 years, that covers 95% of Belgian journeys without complaint. If you charge at home and drive mostly in town and on regional trips, it's a safe bet. If you rack up long motorway trips every week, its 100 kW charging will eventually frustrate you next to an IONIQ 5.
An urban or suburban Belgian driver who charges at home, mostly does town and regional trips, and wants a compact SUV with a long warranty.
A high-mileage motorway driver who strings together long trips and needs rapid charging in under 20 minutes.
Full specifications
Hyundai Kona Electric in Belgium — what you need to know
Typical Belgian trips
With 395 real km, the Kona Electric covers Brussels–Ardennes (≈ 260 km return) without charging, Brussels–Coast (≈ 220 km return) without charging.
Tax benefit
For self-employed and companies, this model is 100% tax-deductible in 2026 (last year at this rate). No direct purchase grant for individuals. Road tax is greatly reduced for this EV.
Home charging
With 11 kW AC, a full charge from 20% takes approximately 5 hours on an 11 kW wallbox. On a 230V plug (2.3 kW): about 23 hours. Overnight charging easily covers the average 50–80 km/day.
Frequently asked questions — Hyundai Kona Electric
What is the real-world range of the Hyundai Kona Electric 65 kWh in Belgium?
In mixed use in mild weather, reckon on about 395 km versus the claimed 514 km WLTP. In a Belgian winter (−5°C), real-world range drops to around 280-320 km, a 20 to 25% reduction typical of an EV in our climate.
How long does it take to fast-charge the Kona Electric?
DC charging is capped at 100 kW: a 10→80% takes about 41 minutes, and you recover roughly 162 km in 15 minutes. That's slower than the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 on 800 V, which do 10→80% in 18 minutes.
Is the Hyundai Kona Electric reliable?
Broadly yes. The most common reports concern the electronics (reversing camera, infotainment), the 12 V battery and a faint reduction-gear noise at low speed. The 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty covers most of these early-life faults, provided the service book is up to date.
How much does the Hyundai Kona Electric 65 kWh cost in Belgium in 2026?
The Kona Electric 65 kWh starts at around €36,990 in Belgium for the entry trim. Better-equipped versions (N Line, heat pump, higher trims) go beyond €42,000.
Is the Kona Electric a good company car in 2026?
Yes. In 2026, fully electric company cars keep 100% tax deductibility and a reduced benefit-in-kind (BIK), which keeps the Kona among the electric SUVs with the best net cost for a self-employed driver or a company employee.
Does the Hyundai Kona Electric have a heat pump?
A heat pump is available depending on trim and options. It limits the range drop in a Belgian winter by heating the cabin more efficiently than a resistive heater, a real plus for January journeys on the E411 or E40 motorways.
Kona Electric or Hyundai IONIQ 5: which to choose in Belgium?
The Kona is more compact, cheaper (from €36,990 versus €41,990 for the IONIQ 5) and easier to park in town. The IONIQ 5 offers more space, a 527 L boot and, above all, 800 V charging that's twice as fast. For town and regional trips, the Kona; for frequent long trips, the IONIQ 5.