Comfortable ride at low and high speeds
‘Spacious interior’ … 173 cm adult male lying down
| Kona EV appearance. [김성우 기자] |
[헤럴드경제(속초)=김성우 기자] The advantages of an electric vehicle that uses an electric motor rather than an internal combustion engine as power are ‘quietness’ and ‘driving performance’. Cons include ‘mileage’ and ‘price’. This is the reason why consumers hesitate to buy even in the great trend of ‘electricity transfer’. The finished car industry is trying to introduce ‘long mileage’ and ‘lower ransom’ in new cars.
‘Kona Electric (EV)’ includes such concerns from Hyundai Motor Group. The driving distance based on one full charge is 417km, and the price is around 30 million won (based on subsidies). The Kona EV’s strengths were the strategy and completeness of design that clearly lowered the threshold for electric cars.
They got on the Kona EV and ran about 166 km from Starfield Hanam to Mulchi Port in Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do. This was the second test drive following ‘The All New Kona’ internal combustion engine model released in February. The model on board that day was the ‘Long Range Inspiration’, a premium model of Kona EV.
 |
| Kona EV driver’s seat. [김성우 기자] |
From Hanam to Misa, I took the city expressway, and then I took the ‘Seoul Yangyang Expressway’. What really caught my attention was the powerful driving performance unique to electric vehicles. The powerful torque of the electric motor made it possible to run vigorously even on city roads with many cars. The ride was also satisfactory. The car moved smoothly and quickly like a boat on water.
As soon as I entered the Yangyang Expressway in Seoul, the charm came to me even more. There was no hitch even in the quick acceleration department which can be difficult in current internal combustion engine models. No vibration was detected from the vehicle or noise from the drive train. Thanks to this, there is less fatigue even after driving for a long time.
The more sophisticated ‘automotive drive assist (HDA2)’ function helped efficient long-distance driving. Acceleration and deceleration were smooth according to the distance and speed at which the vehicle in front was recognized.
 |
| Kona EV MAGIC. [김성우 기자] |
The time taken from Hanam to Gangneung was estimated to be 2 hours. Regenerative braking was held constant at level 1. I didn’t even stop at a pit stop to check the exact mileage. The room temperature was set at 22.5 degrees. As a result, the driving ratio was 6.3 km/㎾h. It is a record that surpasses the government-approved standard warfare rate of 5.5 km/㎾h.
I stopped the car at the destination and inspected the interior again. The Genesis GV60-like control panel and the degree of completion from the cluster to the central display were good. Convenience was added by adding a 220V (volt) outlet under the loading box between the driver’s seat and the passenger’s seat.
 |
| Kona EV central control panel. [김성우 기자] |
The interior space was also spacious enough for the car class. The official specifications are 4355 mm long, 1825 mm wide, 1575 mm high, and 2660 mm in wheelbase. Compared to the first generation part-change model of ‘The New Kona’ EV model, the wheelbase has been extended by 60mm and the overall height by 20mm. The knee space in the second row wasn’t stuffy either. A Hyundai Motor official who helped test drive explained, “Except for the front height, the interior is wider than the first-generation Sportage that came out in the 1990s.”
Even in outdoor environments, including camping, the Kona EV’s usability is evident. Folding the second row made it possible for a 173 cm tall reporter to lie in the car diagonally. If you put supplements in the legroom space in the second row, the car seemed to be enough.
 |
| Kona EV cargo space. [김성우 기자] |
Kona EV sales price starts at 46.54 million won for the standard model premium, 49.68 million won for the long range model premium, and 53.23 million won for the inspiration based on a 3.5% individual consumption tax. When individual consumption tax benefits and subsidies are applied, the standard model premium falls to the mid-range of 30 million won, and the long-range model premium falls to the mid-range of 30 million won.
In summary, Kona EV’s advantage is that it is comfortable in the city and has a light driving texture at high speed. The SUV-unique space utilization is a bonus. I had no stress about the remaining battery power the whole time I was looking at the East Sea from Seoul. It is a model recommended for commuting or for outdoor use.
 |
| Kona EV. [김성우 기자] |
zzz@heraldcorp.com
