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BMW i3 (94Ah) vs Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023)
Selected trim94Ah · 2016-18158 mi · 33.2 kWh · £33,070
Selected trim39kWh · 2018-20Change trim190 mi · 39.2 kWh · £29,495
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on charging speed and city driving, while the Hyundai KONA Electric leads on value for money and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (94Ah) if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023) if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i3 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
ValueHyundai
BMW
3.5
Hyundai
5.6
Motorway Range
BMW
3.3
Hyundai
3.2
Too close to call
Family
BMW
4.9
Hyundai
5.3
Too close to call
ChargingBMW
BMW
3.5
Hyundai
0.2
Cost Per MileHyundai
BMW
8.1
Hyundai
9
City DrivingBMW
BMW
9.1
Hyundai
8.1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Hyundai KONA Electric
39kWh
- £3,575 cheaper
- 31 miles more WLTP range
- 72 litres more boot space
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,070 | £29,495 (better) |
| Official range | 158 miles | 190 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 332 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 48 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 9.9 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Hyundai KONA Electric
Length
BMW i34,006mm-199mm
Hyundai KONA Electric4,205mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm-25mm
Hyundai KONA Electric1,800mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Hyundai KONA Electric1,570mm-28mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,205 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm (better) | 1,800 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm (better) | 2,070 mm |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,570 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare (better) | 600 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 332 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | 1114 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Hyundai KONA Electric
- At 4,205 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 94Ah |  Hyundai KONA Electric 39kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.21m+199mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.80m+25mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.07m+71mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.57m-28mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.60m+30mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | 170mm+10mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 332L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | 1114L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,300kg (better) | 1,535kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 33.2kWh | 39.2kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 158 mi | 190 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 44kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,070 | £29,495 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2016–2018 | 2018–2020 |
* Hyundai KONA Electric: Heat pump: an option on every trim, not standard.
* Hyundai KONA Electric: Manufacturer lists no towing capacity for the 39 kWh car.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 158 miles | 190 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 104 miles | 158 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 48 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 44 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | 136 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 27.2 kWh | 36 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 9.9 sec |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 395 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 94Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Hyundai KONA Electric 39kWh
Tested 2017
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users62%
Safety Assist60%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i3
94Ah
Owners love
- Excellent efficiency and range for a compact EV, with owners achieving 115-143 miles on electric power and 250+ miles combined with Range Extender
- Innovative, well-engineered design with lightweight carbon fiber construction and clever packaging that feels spacious inside despite compact exterior
- Fun, responsive driving dynamics with excellent handling, strong regenerative braking enabling one-pedal driving, and rear-wheel-drive traction
Watch out for
- Winter heating system significantly reduces real-world range by 20-25%, making 60Ah models marginal for UK winter commuting
- Range Extender adds weight causing tail-heavy handling, reduces overall efficiency to ~36mpg, makes unpleasant engine noise, and requires regular fuel use for engine maintenance
- High-voltage component failures (EME/inverter) reported in some cases with extremely expensive repairs (£10,000+) unavailable outside BMW dealers
Owner tips
- Choose 94Ah battery over 60Ah for significantly better winter range and usability; target 2016+ model year for improved reliability, ideally 2018+ for LED headlights
- Install home 7kW charging and use smart tariffs like Octopus Go for cost-effective daily charging; use InstaVolt or Osprey for reliable public rapid charging
Hyundai KONA Electric
39kWh
Owners love
- Outstanding efficiency, with owners commonly seeing 4-5 miles per kWh
- Long real-world range from the 64 kWh battery: around 250 miles in winter and 300 or more in summer
- Quick, smooth and easy to drive, with good adaptive cruise and lane assistance
Watch out for
- Early cars were caught up in battery recalls, and some owners describe slow communication from Hyundai and dealers
- Small boot and tight rear space for a family
- Some used cars have been advertised with the wrong battery size
Owner tips
- Confirm the battery size (39 or 64 kWh) with Hyundai from the VIN rather than trusting the advert
- Check every battery recall has been done, and whether the battery has been replaced
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Hyundai KONA Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £3,575 over the Hyundai KONA Electric?
The BMW i3 costs £3,575 more than the Hyundai KONA Electric. For that premium it adds a 2.6s quicker 0-62mph time. The Hyundai KONA Electric is not just cheaper - it also offers 31 miles more WLTP range, 72 litres more boot space and 1 more seat (5 versus 4). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Hyundai KONA Electric?
The Hyundai KONA Electric is £3,575 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Hyundai KONA Electric comes out roughly £3,615 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Hyundai KONA Electric like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 104 miles for the BMW i3 and 158 miles for the Hyundai KONA Electric - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Hyundai KONA Electric goes roughly 54 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 28 minutes in the BMW i3 and 48 in the Hyundai KONA Electric, so the BMW i3 loses less time at each stop. So the Hyundai KONA Electric stops less often while the BMW i3 stops for less time - pick on which you would rather do.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Hyundai KONA Electric?
The two are within 25 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3 and about 600 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai KONA Electric. The BMW i3 also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Hyundai KONA Electric?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 86% for the Hyundai KONA Electric. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i3 comparisons
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Hyundai KONA Electric rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Hyundai KONA Electric rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Hyundai KONA Electric rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Hyundai KONA Electric rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Hyundai KONA Electric rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW i3 and Hyundai KONA Electric rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i3 (2013-2022): 60Ah vs 94Ah vs 120Ah, REx, Warranty & What to Check
A used BMW i3 buyer’s guide: the three battery sizes, i3 vs i3s, the range extender explained, battery warranty left, the motor electronics fault to ask about, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Guide
Buying a Used Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023): 39 or 64 kWh, Battery Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used Hyundai KONA Electric buyer’s guide: 39 vs 64 kWh, the 2021 facelift, the battery recalls, warranty, towing, real-world range, the new KONA, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .