Among the first affordable EVs to deliver a genuine 250-mile-plus range, the Hyundai KONA Electric remains one of the most efficient. Used examples are plentiful, with prices ranging from about £10,000 for an early car to about £28,500 for an almost-new second-generation example. Most used buyers will be considering the first generation (2018–2023), so that is our main focus: the two battery options, 2021 facelift, battery recalls, warranty, owner reports, likely prices and checks to make. You’ll find a print-out checklist at the end.
- Best value: a 2021–2022 64 kWh facelift at £13,000–£16,500: faster home charging and around 300 miles of official range.
- Cheapest long range: a 2019–2020 64 kWh from about £13,000, but check its battery recall history carefully.
- Think twice: the 39 kWh model costs barely less but offers about 60% of the range.
- Check before you buy: confirm the battery size (adverts can be wrong), completion of every battery recall, and whether the optional heat pump is fitted.
Which version of the KONA Electric is it?
There are two generations. The first (2018–2023) came with a 39 kWh or 64 kWh battery. The 2021 facelift brought a smoother nose and faster 10.5 kW home charging. Advert wording usually identifies the version: “(7kW Charger)” means pre-facelift, while “(10.5kW Charger)” indicates a facelift car. The second generation (2023 on) is an entirely new, larger car, with a full-width light bar and 48.4 or 65.4 kWh batteries.
| Version | UK years | Power | WLTP range | AC charging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 kWh | 2018–2020 | 100 kW | 190 miles | 7.2 kW |
| 64 kWh | 2018–2020 | 150 kW | 301 miles | 7.2 kW |
| 39 kWh facelift | 2021–2023 | 100 kW | 190 miles | 10.5 kW |
| 64 kWh facelift | 2021–2023 | 150 kW | 301 miles | 10.5 kW |
| New KONA 48.4 kWh | 2023– | 115 kW | 234 miles | 10.4 kW |
| New KONA 65.4 kWh | 2023– | 160 kW | 319 miles | 10.4 kW |
The first-generation launch trims were SE, Premium and Premium SE; after the facelift they became SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate. Only higher trims offered the 64 kWh battery. A heat pump on facelift cars was an £875 option regardless of trim, worth checking if you drive often in winter. It comes as standard on the new KONA. Full specifications appear on the 2018–2023 KONA Electric page and the current KONA Electric page.
Check the battery size
The 39 and 64 kWh versions are visually almost identical, and owners have found used adverts listing the wrong battery. With WLTP range differing greatly (189 versus 300 miles), establish the battery before paying. Have Hyundai customer services or a dealer verify it using the VIN, rather than relying on the advert.
Battery recalls: the big check
- 2026 battery software recall: Hyundai’s May 2026 recall covers 25,056 first-generation cars built from January 2018 to July 2023, essentially all of them. Some batteries may develop a cell voltage difference that could lead to a short circuit; the fix is a battery-management software update, and until it is done Hyundai recommends parking in a well-ventilated area. Make sure it has been done.
- 2020–2021 battery recalls (early cars): around 2,900 cars built from 2018 to early 2020 were covered by two recalls for battery-management faults and a potential short circuit. Remedies varied from a software update and inspection to replacement of the entire battery. A new battery fitted under recall is, if anything, a positive.
- Brake system software (2021): an integrated brake system software update for cars built up to late 2020.
Check the specific car on GOV.UK’s recall checker and ask for the paperwork.
Warranty: check what’s left
Hyundai covers the car for 5 years with unlimited mileage, and the high-voltage battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles, both from first registration:
- Registered 2019: car covered to 2024; battery to 2027, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
- Registered 2020: car covered to 2025; battery to 2028, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
- Registered 2021: car covered to 2026; battery to 2029, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
- Registered 2022: car covered to 2027; battery to 2030, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
- Registered 2023: car covered to 2028; battery to 2031, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
Realistic range
Our estimate for a typical car of each age, from the same battery-ageing model as the rest of EVcarsguide:
| Car | Summer | Year-round | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 64 kWh | 224 miles | 196 miles | 165 miles |
| 2022 64 kWh | 235 miles | 208 miles | 175 miles |
| 2022 39 kWh | 149 miles | 130 miles | 110 miles |
| 2024 new KONA 65.4 kWh | 257 miles | 227 miles | 191 miles |
Owners often beat these figures. The KONA’s unusually good efficiency sees 64 kWh owners commonly reporting around 250 miles in winter and 300 or more in summer, with 4–5 miles per kWh. Short journeys in cold weather hurt it most.
Battery Health Estimator
Estimated condition if buying used
NMC chemistry - good longevity with proper charging habits
Estimates based on battery chemistry and age. Model-specific data. Actual health varies with charging habits, climate, and usage.
Charging and towing
Rapid charging is relatively modest. For either battery Hyundai quotes 10–80% in about 47 minutes on a 100 kW charger, or about an hour on a 50 kW unit for the 64 kWh car. Home charging is 7.2 kW before the facelift, rising to up to 10.5 kW on a three-phase supply afterwards. Either fills overnight on a normal 7 kW wallbox.
If you tow, look elsewhere: Hyundai rates the first-generation 64 kWh car for just 100 kg (enough for a bike rack, not a trailer) and lists no towing for the 39 kWh. The new KONA can tow 750 kg braked (300 kg for the 48.4 kWh).
What owners report
- Battery recalls and communication. Early-car owners discuss the battery recalls, sometimes describing poor communication and lengthy waits for parts. Many examples have received a completely new battery.
- Practicality. For a family, the boot (332 litres) and rear seats feel small; the new KONA is noticeably roomier.
- Dated tech. The interior is showing its age, and early cars lack the Bluelink app.
- Mis-described battery size on some used adverts (see above).
The positives owners highlight are efficiency, long real-world range, low running costs and a punchy car that is easy to drive. Reports of battery degradation are rare.
What to pay
First-generation models account for about two-thirds of KONA Electrics advertised, predominantly 64 kWh facelift cars. Private sales are uncommon. The table groups examples by generation, battery size, trim and year.
| Cars | Share of adverts | Median asking | Typical range | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 kWh, 2020 (pre-facelift) | 5% | £12,940 | £10,310–£14,970 | 44,570 |
| 39 kWh facelift, 2023 | 10% | £13,450 | £12,050–£14,440 | 23,380 |
| 64 kWh Premium facelift, 2021 | 3% | £13,000 | £11,000–£15,100 | 46,440 |
| 64 kWh Premium facelift, 2022 | 8% | £14,530 | £13,250–£15,610 | 37,260 |
| 64 kWh Premium facelift, 2023 | 12% | £16,100 | £14,020–£17,080 | 19,800 |
| 64 kWh Ultimate facelift, 2021 | 2% | £13,900 | £12,930–£15,220 | 43,540 |
| 64 kWh Ultimate facelift, 2022 | 3% | £16,700 | £13,980–£17,890 | 25,830 |
| 64 kWh Ultimate facelift, 2023 | 18% | £17,740 | £15,390–£19,500 | 21,700 |
| New KONA 65.4 kWh, 2024 | 9% | £21,800 | £19,880–£24,730 | 12,010 |
| New KONA 65.4 kWh, 2025 | 16% | £23,900 | £22,000–£27,900 | 10,120 |
| New KONA 65.4 kWh, 2026 | 8% | £28,610 | £25,420–£30,770 | 3,240 |
These are asking prices, not valuations. A 2023 39 kWh costs much the same as a 2021 64 kWh, making the larger battery better value unless every journey is short. For the new KONA, prices begin around £20,000 for a 2024 example. Around 4% of adverts were for Cat S or N write-offs, so a history check is essential.
Questions to ask the seller
- Is the battery 39 or 64 kWh? Can you demonstrate that, or have Hyundai verify it using the VIN?
- Is the 2026 battery software recall complete? Has the battery ever been replaced?
- Is it a pre-facelift (7 kW) or facelift (10.5 kW) car?
- Does it have the heat pump?
- Is the Hyundai service history complete?
- Which charging cables come with it?
The print-out checklist
Bring this along. It covers checks specific to the KONA; our general used EV buyer’s guide covers the checks that apply to any used electric car.
Alternatives worth a look
- Kia e-Niro: the KONA’s close relative with the same 64 kWh battery, a bigger boot and a 7-year warranty. See our used e-Niro and Niro EV guide.
- MG ZS EV: roomier and cheaper, with less range. See our used ZS EV guide.
- Hyundai IONIQ 5: much faster charging and far more space if you can stretch. See our used IONIQ 5 guide.
Not sure it covers your driving? The EV Matchmaker checks a car against your own week, and the Used EV Finder shows what else your budget buys.
Sources & further reading
- Hyundai UK – KONA Electric pricing and specifications (2018)
- Hyundai UK – New KONA Electric prices and specifications (2021)
- Hyundai UK – all-new KONA Electric pricing and specification (2023)
- GOV.UK – Check if a vehicle has been recalled
Founder of EVcarsguide. Web technologist and data specialist tracking the UK EV market.
