With Chevy Equinox EV In Limbo, $34K Hyundai Kona EV Offers A Great Alternative

Today, Hyundai announced that its 2024 Kona EV battery-electric crossover will start at $34,010, including the delivery fee. This undercuts the latest price that GM has floated for its as-yet unscheduled new Equinox EV by around $1,000, and it puts an affordable small crossover EV within reach of shoppers who want one right now, rather than at some undetermined future point.

We’ve tested the Kona EV multiple times at Torque News, and we love the vehicle. With a starting price not that different from many popular small crossovers like the Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30, the Kona offers those who wish to go electric a viable, affordable alternative.

Related Story: The Auto Media Hyped the Price of The Chevy Equinox EV - Why?

We’ve tried to follow GM’s news on the Bolt EUV and the upcoming, unreleased Equinox EV, but GM didn't respond to our most recent request for facts. The best we can surmise is that the Bolt EUV will be discontinued soon, if it has not already been, and it will later re-emerge on a new platform. The Equinox EV is not on sale now and, based on the best information we could get from GM, will have an initial selling price near $50K when it first goes on sale at some future point. We will update the facts on these affordable GM EVs any time GM makes them available to us. 

The 2023 Kona is presently priced at $33,550 in its base SE Trim, including delivery fee. Two other trims with more content are also available. The news today is that the base 2024 SE trim will rise slightly to $34,010. The base trim seems to be moving to a slightly less impressive powertrain and battery than the SEL and Limited, so 2024 Kona shoppers should be careful to review the power and range prior to purchase. The SEL has a range of 261 miles, greater than what the Chevy Bolt EUV offers. We don't have final specifications for the Equinox EV yet because it is a future product presently experiencing a launch delay. 

One other reason that shoppers may wish to consider a Hyundai Kona EV instead of one of the future GM EVs its size is that the Hyundai Kona comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play. For reasons we simply cannot fathom, GM is planning to move away from offering these now ubiquitous and much-loved in-vehicle infotainment apps. What makes that even more heartbreaking for us is that we have often named the Chevy Bolt EUV one of our favorite affordable EVs, due in part to its fantastic infotainment system. It looks like we may have to drop GM vehicles from our consideration in future “Best of” type lists now that it plans to revert back to native infotainment that will require a monthly fee to provide what Bolt EUV owners enjoy today at no added cost.

Presently, Hyundai is offering buyers of the Kona EV a complimentary Level 2 home charger and a $600 installation cost credit. This program is planned to end in January 2024. 

There are very few affordable battery-electric crossover vehicles on sale today in America. Those looking for a BEV crossover they can purchase with a budget under $34K today should contact their local Hyundai dealer.  
 

John Goreham is an experienced New England Motor Press Association member and expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. In addition to his eleven years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can follow John on Twitter, and connect with him at Linkedin.

Image of 2024 Hyundai Kona EV courtesy of Hyundai.