- Best buy: Hybrid in Signature trim — sweet spot of equipment, efficiency and resale.
- Avoid: 1.0T petrol if you do over 12,000 km/year (Hybrid pays back in 2 years on fuel).
- Kona Electric is genuinely worth it if you have home charging — €120/yr motor tax, 514 km Long Range, ~€3,500 SEAI grant.
- 5-year total cost: ~€28,500 HEV — €4,000+ cheaper than a Tucson HEV, with most of the practicality.
- Watch out for: the February 2026 steering-knuckle recall on some 2026 cars — verify VIN at hyundai.ie before any used purchase.
At a glance — April 2026
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| New price (Ireland) | From €30,895 (1.0T petrol) · €34,295 (Hybrid) · €34,395 (N-Line petrol) · ~€38,000–€48,000 (Electric) |
| Used (3 years old) | ~€20,000–€32,000 |
| Motor tax — Hybrid | ~€190/year (CO₂ ~110–117 g/km, Band B) |
| Motor tax — 1.0T petrol | ~€220/year (CO₂ ~127–135 g/km, Band C2) |
| Motor tax — Electric | €120/year (flat EV rate) |
| Insurance bracket | Group 16–24 |
| Real-world fuel — Hybrid | 5.5 L/100 km claim · 5.0–6.0 observed |
| EV range (Long Range, WLTP) | 514 km · 400–450 km real-world summer |
| Boot | 466 L (significantly larger than 1st-gen 332 L) |
| Euro NCAP | 4 stars (post-2023 stricter modern tests) |
| Warranty | 5 years unlimited mileage · 8 years / 160,000 km HEV / EV battery |
| Production | 2nd-gen (SX2) since 2023, Ulsan Korea + Nošovice Czech Republic for Europe |
Full specs — every drivetrain
Performance
| Variant | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 T-GDi petrol | 120 hp / 88 kW | 172 Nm | ~12.0 s | 180 km/h | FWD, 6-spd manual or 7-DCT |
| N-Line 1.0 T-GDi petrol | 120 hp / 88 kW | 172 Nm | ~12.0 s | 180 km/h | FWD, 7-DCT |
| Hybrid (HEV) | 141 hp / 104 kW | 265 Nm combined | ~11.2 s | 165 km/h | FWD, 6-DCT |
| Electric Standard Range | 156 hp / 115 kW | 255 Nm | ~8.9 s | 162 km/h | FWD |
| Electric Long Range | 218 hp / 160 kW | 255 Nm | ~7.8 s | 172 km/h | FWD |
Dimensions & capacities
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,355 mm (150 mm longer than 1st-gen) |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,580 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm (only 95 mm shorter than Tucson — huge rear-seat space) |
| Ground clearance | ~170 mm |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | 0.27 (Electric) · 0.29 (ICE / Hybrid) |
| Kerb weight (1.0T petrol) | ~1,330 kg |
| Kerb weight (HEV) | ~1,400 kg |
| Kerb weight (Electric Standard / Long Range) | ~1,635 / 1,720 kg |
| Boot | 466 L (rear seats up) · ~1,300 L (folded) |
| Towing (Hybrid, braked) | 1,300 kg |
| Fuel tank (petrol / HEV) | 47 L |
| EV Standard Range battery | 48.4 kWh — ~377 km WLTP |
| EV Long Range battery | 65.4 kWh — ~514 km WLTP |
| EV charging — AC 11 kW | 0–100% in ~4 h (Standard) / ~6 h 50 min (Long Range) |
| EV charging — DC 100 kW | 10–80% in ~41 min (Long Range) |
| V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) | Yes — 3.6 kW external power output via plug adapter |
Emissions & efficiency (WLTP combined)
| Variant | CO₂ | Claimed L/100 km | Real-world L/100 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 T-GDi petrol | ~127–135 g/km | 6.4 | 6.5–8.0 |
| Hybrid (HEV) | ~110–117 g/km | 5.5 | 5.0–6.0 |
| Electric (any battery) | 0 g/km tailpipe | n/a | 15–18 kWh / 100 km real-world |
Why it sells in Ireland
- Significantly larger than the 1st-gen — the wheelbase is only 95 mm shorter than the Tucson, meaning genuine adult rear-seat space
- Bold, futuristic styling — the 2nd-gen design is one of the most distinctive in its class
- Petrol, Hybrid, AND Electric all under one model name — rare in the Irish market
- Hyundai's 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty + 8-year/160,000 km hybrid/EV battery warranty
- Spacious interior — punches above its size class on rear legroom and boot space
- Strong residuals — demand from urban families looking for a second car or EV starter
- Kona Electric is one of the best-value EVs on the Irish market — 514 km range, sub-€40k entry, SEAI grants apply
- 5-star equivalent safety rating (Euro NCAP awarded 4 stars under post-2023 stricter testing — same crash performance, stricter scoring)
Did you know? — insider facts
Most car platforms are designed for petrol / diesel first and then converted to take a battery. Hyundai designed the 2nd-gen Kona's K3 platform the opposite way — EV first, then adapted for the hybrid and 1.0T petrol versions. That's why the interior is so much more spacious than the exterior dimensions suggest: the platform was sized around the EV battery pack from the start, leaving room for everything else.
Hyundai's SUV naming convention pulls from American place names: Tucson (Arizona), Santa Fe (New Mexico), Palisade (Colorado), Kona (Hawaii), Santa Cruz (California). Kona was launched in 2017 as Hyundai's first compact crossover SUV — a segment they'd previously skipped — and grew rapidly into one of their best-selling models globally.
The Tucson's wheelbase is 2,755 mm; the new Kona's is 2,660 mm — a difference of just 95 mm. For comparison, that's less than the gap between two iPhone 15 Pro Max devices end-to-end. In real-world rear-seat space, the gap is small enough that many families considering a Tucson would be served well by a Kona instead at meaningfully lower cost.
The Kona Electric supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) via an adapter that plugs into the charging port — you get up to 3.6 kW of standard 230 V AC output to run anything from a kettle to a power tool to an e-bike charger directly from the car's battery. With a 65.4 kWh battery you could power a small campsite for a week. Genuinely useful at festivals, beaches, or for emergency backup at home during a power cut.
1st-gen Kona Electric (2018–2023) used LG Chem battery cells that were the subject of a global fire-risk recall in 2020–2021 affecting roughly 82,000 cars. Hyundai initially issued a software update, then later replaced batteries on cars where the recall flagged genuine risk. By 2023 the recall was effectively closed and remaining 1st-gen Kona EVs on the Irish market have had the work completed. The 2nd-gen Kona Electric uses different cells from a different supplier and has had no equivalent issue.
With 514 km WLTP on the Long Range battery, the Kona Electric outranges the VW ID.3 (~427 km), Renault Megane E-Tech (~470 km), Peugeot e-208 (~400 km), and even the larger VW ID.4 (~520 km — but at €15k more). For a sub-€40k EV, only the Tesla Model 3 RWD (~554 km) beats it on range — and that's a much more expensive car when properly optioned.
Generation history (2017–2026)
| Generation | Years | Key Irish points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (OS) | 2017–2023 | Hyundai's first compact crossover; Kona Electric launched 2018 — one of the longest-range affordable EVs of its era (484 km WLTP); LG Chem battery fire recall 2020–2021 (resolved); facelift 2020 with refreshed front-end |
| 2nd (SX2) | 2023–present | Designed EV-first; 150 mm longer + 60 mm longer wheelbase; bold futuristic styling; available petrol / Hybrid / Electric; 514 km Long Range EV; Feb 2026 steering-knuckle recall on some 2026 cars |
9 years of continuous Irish presence. The 1st-gen Kona Electric specifically has aged extremely well as a used buy — 5-year-old examples are now genuinely attractive at €18,000–€26,000 with battery health typically still above 90%, ideal for buyers wanting EV ownership without the 0–3 year depreciation hit.
The drivetrain choice
Hybrid (HEV) — the value pick for most buyers
- 1.6 GDi petrol + electric motor; 141 hp combined; 265 Nm
- 6-speed DCT (dual-clutch) transmission; FWD
- 0–100 km/h in ~11.2 s; top speed 165 km/h
- Real-world 5.0–6.0 L/100 km on Irish roads
- Recommended for most buyers
Electric (Kona EV) — long-game winner with home charging
- Standard Range: 48.4 kWh battery, 156 hp, 377 km WLTP, ~290–330 km real-world
- Long Range: 65.4 kWh battery, 218 hp, 514 km WLTP, ~400–450 km real-world summer
- FWD only; 100 kW DC fast charging on Long Range (10–80% in ~41 min)
- V2L (3.6 kW external output) standard
- SEAI Purchase Grant up to €3,500 + €600 home charger grant + VRT relief
- Worth it if you have home charging and ~15,000+ km/year
1.0 T-GDi petrol — entry option
- 1.0 L 3-cyl turbo, 120 hp, 172 Nm
- 6-speed manual or 7-DCT; FWD
- 0–100 km/h in ~12.0 s
- Real-world 6.5–8.0 L/100 km
- Cheapest entry — but Hybrid pays back within 2 years for most drivers
N-Line — sportier styling, petrol only
- Same 1.0 T-GDi as standard petrol — no Hybrid N-Line in Ireland
- Sportier bumpers, larger alloys, dark interior trim
- €34,395 — same price as Hybrid base, but with the petrol's higher running costs
Irish trim breakdown
| Trim | Indicative price | Key kit |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort (1.0T) | €30,895 | 17" alloys, 12.3" touchscreen, AppleCarPlay/Android Auto, full LED lights, adaptive cruise, lane-keep, rear camera |
| Executive (1.0T or HEV) | ~€33,000+ | Larger 12.3" cluster, heated front seats, dual-zone climate, wireless phone charging, rear privacy glass |
| Signature HEV (sweet spot) | ~€36,500 | 18" alloys, leather, ventilated front seats, Bose audio in some trims, head-up display, Hyundai SmartSense ADAS suite |
| N-Line (petrol only) | €34,395 | Sportier bumpers, larger alloys, sport seats, dark interior trim |
| Electric (any battery / trim) | ~€38,000–€48,000 | Trim hierarchy mirrors ICE; Long Range Premium ~€48k |
Signature HEV is the value sweet spot — most equipment buyers want without the premium markup of N-Line styling or electric.
Real running costs — annual (Hybrid, 20,000 km / year)
| Item | Hybrid | Electric Long Range | 1.0T Petrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel / electricity | ~€1,800 | ~€650 (home night rate) | ~€2,400 |
| Motor tax | €190 | €120 | €220 |
| Insurance | €600–€1,100 | €700–€1,300 | €600–€1,100 |
| Service (Hyundai dealer) | €280–€380 | €200–€280 (no oil) | €250–€350 |
| Depreciation (year 1) | ~€2,500 | ~€3,500 | ~€2,700 |
| Annual total (excl. finance) | ~€5,400–€6,000 | ~€5,200–€5,900 | ~€6,200–€6,800 |
5-year ownership cost projection
Total cost of ownership over 5 years / 100,000 km (median Irish driver, 5+ years NCB, Hyundai dealer serviced):
| Item | Hybrid | EV Long Range | 1.0T Petrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel / electricity (5 yr) | ~€9,000 | ~€3,250 | ~€12,000 |
| Motor tax (5 yr) | €950 | €600 | €1,100 |
| Insurance (5 yr) | ~€4,000 | ~€4,500 | ~€4,000 |
| Servicing (5 yr) | ~€1,650 | ~€1,200 | ~€1,500 |
| Depreciation | ~€12,000 | ~€16,000 | ~€12,500 |
| Tyres + consumables | ~€700 | ~€800 | ~€700 |
| 5-year total cost | ~€28,300 | ~€26,350 | ~€31,800 |
| Cost per km | ~€0.28 | ~€0.26 | ~€0.32 |
The Kona Electric is genuinely the cheapest to run over 5 years — €2,000+ less than the Hybrid and €5,500+ less than the petrol — provided you have home charging at night-rate tariffs. The Hybrid is the next-best value with no charging discipline required. The pure-petrol comes out meaningfully more expensive and is the option to skip for most buyers.
Depreciation + resale retention
| Drivetrain | 1-year retention | 3-year retention | 5-year retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (HEV) | ~84% | ~66% | ~52% |
| Electric Long Range | ~80% | ~62% | ~48% |
| 1.0T petrol | ~83% | ~64% | ~50% |
| N-Line petrol | ~82% | ~63% | ~49% |
The Hybrid holds value best — strong used demand for hybrid Konas in Ireland from urban families. The EV depreciates faster in absolute % terms but the much lower 5-year running costs more than offset the difference in total cost of ownership.
Common Irish issues + the Feb 2026 recall
- 7-DCT dual-clutch can feel jerky in stop-start traffic — typical of all DCTs, not a Kona-specific fault
- Early 2024 infotainment glitches — resolved by software updates from late 2024 onwards
- Soft suspension + tall tyres on 17" trims = bouncy on Irish potholes; 18" Signature trim is firmer
- February 2026 RECALL: some 2026 cars had a manufacturing fault on front steering knuckles — verify VIN at hyundai.ie
- 1st-gen Kona Electric (2018–2023): LG Chem battery fire recall (2020–2021) is now fully resolved on remaining cars; verify completion paperwork before buying used
Used buyers need to verify TWO different recalls depending on which generation: (1) for 2026 2nd-gen cars, the February 2026 steering-knuckle recall — VIN check at hyundai.ie + dealer receipt; (2) for 1st-gen 2018–2023 Kona Electric, the LG Chem battery recall — Hyundai dealer receipt confirming software update OR battery replacement was completed. Don't buy without both confirmed in writing.
NCT pitfalls (model-specific)
- Generally very good first-time pass rates on the 2nd-gen
- Front tyre wear on heavier hybrid models — rotation matters; check at every annual service
- Headlight aim post-kerb impact — €20–€80 to adjust at any garage with a beam-setter
- 12V auxiliary battery often weakens by year 4 — common cause of dashboard warning-light cascades; €120–€180 replacement
- OBD pre-test scan recommended (Phase 2 since May 2023 — engine warning light = automatic fail)
- For 2026 cars: confirm the steering-knuckle recall has been completed before testing
- See our How to Read Your NCT Report guide
Side-by-side competition (April 2026)
| Model (Hybrid) | Price from | 0–100 | Real L/100 km | Motor tax | Boot | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Kona Hybrid | €34,295 | 11.2 s | 5.0–6.0 | €190 | 466 L | 5 yr unlimited |
| Toyota Yaris Cross HEV 130 | €30,640 | 10.7 s | 4.5–5.0 | €190 | 397 L | 3 yr (10 yr w/ Toyota Relax) |
| Toyota C-HR Hybrid | €36,000 | 10.2 s | 5.0–6.0 | €200 | 388 L | 3 yr (10 yr w/ Toyota Relax) |
| Nissan Juke Hybrid | €31,500 | 10.1 s | 5.5–6.5 | €210 | 422 L | 3 yr / 100k |
| Renault Captur E-Tech HEV | €30,000 | 10.6 s | 5.0–6.0 | €200 | 422 L | 3 yr / 100k |
Kona's honest place in the field: biggest boot, most rear-seat space (almost Tucson-class wheelbase), bold styling. The Yaris Cross is more fuel-efficient and has the much stronger Toyota Relax warranty proposition; the C-HR is sportier and more upmarket but has a much smaller boot; the Juke is more aggressively styled but uses more fuel; the Captur is cheaper. For a family wanting near-Tucson space at meaningfully lower cost, the Kona is the obvious pick.
Best engine / trim to buy
- Best buy: Hybrid Signature — sweet spot of equipment, real-world efficiency, and resale
- Avoid: 1.0T petrol if you do over 12,000 km/year — Hybrid pays back within 2 years
- Consider Electric Long Range if you have home charging — €120/yr motor tax, lowest 5-year cost-per-km of any Kona
- Skip N-Line unless the look is worth it — petrol-only and at the same price as Hybrid base trim
- Used 1st-gen Kona Electric (2018–2023) is one of the best value EVs on the Irish used market — £18k–€26k for a 5-year-old with battery health typically still above 90%
Used buyer's checklist
- Verify the February 2026 steering-knuckle recall on 2026 2nd-gen cars — VIN check at hyundai.ie + dealer receipt confirming work done
- For 1st-gen 2018–2023 Kona Electric: verify the LG Chem battery recall was completed (software update OR battery replacement) — Hyundai dealer paperwork required
- Verify SEAI EV grant claim status if buying a Kona Electric
- Battery State of Health certificate on any used Kona Electric — under 85% should mean a meaningful discount
- Full Hyundai dealer service history — required for the 5-year warranty validity transfer
- Software update history at last service
- Tyre tread + age (4 mm+ recommended; replace anything over 6 years regardless) — see our Car Tyres in Ireland guide
- NCT VIR (Vehicle Inspection Report) — see our NCT Report Explained guide
- For Kona Electric: charging-cable condition, V2L adapter included if previously sold with one
The honest verdict
The 2nd-gen Kona is the practical answer to a real Irish question: how do you get near-Tucson space and equipment without paying near-Tucson prices? The wheelbase (only 95 mm shorter than the Tucson) means rear-seat space genuinely works for adults, the boot (466 L) is easily class-leading, and the bold styling stands out in a crowded segment. Real-world Hybrid fuel economy (5.0–6.0 L/100 km) is strong, the 5-year unlimited warranty gives Irish buyers confidence, and the Kona Electric is one of the best-value EVs on the market.
Buy the Hybrid in Signature trim if you want a practical no-charging family car, or the Electric Long Range if you have home charging — both are excellent choices. Skip the entry petrol if you do meaningful mileage. Verify the February 2026 recall on any 2026 used car. Service it at a Hyundai dealer for warranty validity, log it in odo.ie from day one, and you'll likely be very happy for the 5–7 years you keep it.
Bought a Kona? Track every fuel fill-up, charge session, and service in odo.ie. See your real Irish running costs across the year — and protect your resale value.
Log every fill, every charge (including night-rate home electricity), every service, every NCT. odo.ie shows your real cost-per-km, sends 30 / 14 / 7 / 1-day reminders for tax, insurance and NCT, and builds the digital service history that adds €1–€2k at resale. Solo free for 1 vehicle; Family €4/month for 3 vehicles; Pro €8/month for 10 with Revenue-ready trip logbook. 77+ Irish guides, no ads, EU data residency.