2022 Hyundai Kona Electric: A Comprehensive Guide To Maintenance Costs, Reliability, And Average Prices

The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric entered the electric vehicle market as adequate competition, boasting impressive performance and efficiency. It was equipped with a single-motor configuration that delivers 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. This was enough to propel the front-wheel drive vehicle from a standing start to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds according to a CarAndDriver test, and achieve a top speed of 104 mph.

This Kona Electric was also equipped with a 64 kWh lithium-ion LG battery pack which has an impressive EPA-rated efficiency of 132, 108, and 120 MPGe in city, highway, and combined driving respectively. The EPA estimated its electricity range to be 258 miles on a full charge. The interior features an eight-inch infotainment system in the lower trim level, which is upgraded to a 10.25-inch system in the SEL and Limited trim levels.

Being an electric vehicle, it is a zero-emissions vehicle that doesn’t need to stop to refuel at a gas station. With the constant rise in gas prices around the world, that amounts to huge yearly savings. It has a Level II home charging system that can recharge the battery in 9.5 hours, which translates to an overnight charge.

Being an electric vehicle opens up to new problems. The novel nature of the technology, even with its growing and widespread nature, means it faces potential failures of electrical components and difficulties in finding adequate technical support for repairs and maintenance.

Noted: This guide provides comprehensive information provided by the manufacturer. Top Speed sourced additional data for maintenance and running costs (CarEdge), reliability, and average prices (Edmunds).

Maintenance And Repairs

The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is built to last. Buyers have expressed a few concerns about some components, but with a comprehensive maintenance and repair schedule, the vehicle can be optimized for longevity. For most, at 15,000 miles, the first major service tends to include a replacement of the climate control air filter and a thorough inspection of or complete replacement of critical components like the battery, compressor, brake lines, hoses, and connections.

At 35,000 miles, the reduction gear fluid gets inspected, the car’s coolant gets replaced, and the tire pressure gets inspected at 40,000 miles. As the SUV hits 60,000 miles, the brake fluid becomes due for a replacement. If you can hit the 120,000-mile mark, your coolant, brake fluid, battery, and brake will need inspections.

Most Common 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Reported Issues

• Battery replacement
• Reduction gearbox replacement
• Cabin air filter replacement

Some 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric buyers have faced a few issues like early battery replacement within the first five months of ownership. This buyer complained about the difficulty of finding technical support who knew what to do and how long it took to fix the problem.

One other buyer experienced a complete failure of the heater/defroster after just 18 months and 5,000 miles. There was also a buyer who reported having a serious brake failure with less than 3,000 miles on the car.

Repairs And Pricing Info

The warranty coverage of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric offers addresses potential repair concerns. With most of the notable issues buyers encountered coming anywhere from the first five months to 18 months after purchase, while mostly being powertrain and basic components related, Hyundai’s comprehensive 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty or the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty provides coverage. This drops maintenance and repair costs dramatically. Being electric, the EPA estimates its annual recharge cost at an average of $650, which makes it $5,000 cheaper to run than the average 2022 vehicle.

Reliability, Running Costs, And Expected Mileage

The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is considered one of the best electric vehicles under $50,000 by Consumer Reports. They praised it for its enjoyable driving experience, practicality, quiet acceleration, and overall low running costs. At $33,550, the SE trim is one of the cheapest EVs.

While the EPA says it’s capable of traveling 258 miles between charges, some buyers have reported achieving even better results, with a few citing getting as good as 298 miles while driving in the city and even surpassing 300 miles. One even reported getting 200 miles at high speeds while on road trips. Even those who faced the early battery failure expressed delight with the vehicle after the issue was fixed.

Reliability Rating: 7/10

The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is largely considered reliable. Based on the assessments of 30 buyers on Edmunds, it received a total reliability rating of 3.5/5, which signifies a reliability that is well above average, invariably instilling confidence in potential buyers. The high marks from actual owners are based on their reports of the vehicle’s ability to consistently deliver strong performance, a better-than-advertised range, and low running costs over time.

Running Costs: 9/10

The lengthy warranties of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric have helped cut costs for owners. According to EPA estimates, annual charging expenses amount to around $650, and with a Level II home charger, a buyer claimed an overnight charge from 40 to 100 percent cost less than $6.

CarEdge estimates a five-year depreciation of $14,241 from the original $42,500 price of the Limited trim, which brings resale value after five years to $28,259. CarEdge also estimates five-year auto insurance to be up to $7,235 and cost to finance at $5,026 in the same time frame. This would mean the five-year ownership cost would add up to approximately $13,358, excluding the initial purchase price and maintenance.

Highest Miles Reported: 86,000 Miles

Despite being a relatively new model, a few Kona Electric owners have managed to achieve impressive mileage on their vehicles. With a couple of owners clocking over 16,000 miles in a little over a year of ownership, and an Ultimate trim owner getting as much as 50,000 miles in under three years (including 18,000 miles after a battery replacement), the Kona Electric has proven it can be durable and capable for long-term use.

There has also been a Premium trim owner whose Kona Electric has accumulated over 82,000 miles within two years. The most is the report by an owner who has hit 86,000 miles, but that includes mileage after replacing the battery and reduction gearbox.

Pricing And Values

Valuation Highlights

The current price of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric depends on a few factors, like the body condition and who’s selling it. It is expected to cost anywhere from $20,004 for a high mileage SEL trim to $26,158 for a well-maintained Limited trim version.

SEL Trim

Limited Trim

What To Look For Before Buying

Before purchasing a used 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric, it’s important to look out for maintenance milestones. If buying at 15,000 miles, check if the climate control air filter has been replaced while inspecting the battery. This tends to be approximately the mileage owners claimed they faced battery failure issues.

At 35,000 miles, check to be sure that the reduction gear fluid has been inspected. If it has 40,000 miles on the odometer, ensure that the coolant has been replaced and the tires have been thoroughly inspected. If the Kona Electric has driven anywhere from 60,000 to over 120,000 miles, the brake fluid and the battery must have been replaced.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Kia and the EPA)

Check That The Original Battery Has Been Replaced

On the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric, a “CHECK ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM” notification or a high voltage light indicates potential battery failure, which requires a complete replacement of the EV’s battery. The LG battery pack experienced issues and was on a national backorder, which led to lengthy waitlists. The 64 kWh lithium-ion battery consists of 294 cells.

For replacement, EV batteries come with a hefty price tag which is usually covered by lengthy warranties, removing the burden of their significant cost from the EV owner’s shoulders. A 2020 forecast from BloombergNEF stated that battery pack costs were projected to be about $100/kWh in 2023, translating to a $6,400 price tag for Hyundai Kona Electric battery replacement.

Is It Worth Buying A 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric?

The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric offers great value. It has an easy-to-use interior and exterior design and a noteworthy EPA-estimated range of 258 miles, although a few owners reported getting up to 300 miles. It also earned a five-star NHTSA rating and has the quiet acceleration that Consumer Reports liked.

With these, it’s important to note that the entry-level SE Kona’s smaller 39 kWh battery pack may seem inadequate, and the rear seats and boot space are comparatively cramped. The Kona Electric is also more expensive than its rivals. In the end, most reviewers and owners have had a good experience with the Kona Electric.