One thing’s for certain:electric vehiclesare getting smarter, but they’re not getting cheaper. If you want tech that turns heads—massive digital dashboards, semi-autonomous driving, wireless everything—expect to pay a sticker price in excess of $50,000.
That said, there’s a new EV on the block that flips that formula. It quietly offersluxury-grade tech, a sleek user experience, and real everyday practicality—for less than a loaded Camry.
And we’re not talking about some concept car or stripped-down ecobox. The vehicle in question is a genuinelywell-equipped electric crossoverthat delivers more tech per dollar than anything else in its class.
Introducing the Quietly-Cool 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE
Okay, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE might not make a huge visual statement, but that’s the point. Unlike the overly futuristic or aggressively quirky looks some EVs adopt, this crossover keeps things smart, minimal, and modern.
From the outside, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric is all about clean lines, a subtle pixel-themed lighting design, and a front end that’s clearly aerodynamic without screaming, “Look at me, I’m electric.” It’s a compact crossover that blends in—until you sit inside, and that’s where it gets interesting.
A Premium Cockpit in a Budget EV
Hop inside the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE, and the first thing you’ll lay your eyes on is the dashboard. It stretches across in one seamless curve, housing not one but two 12.3-inchdisplays—one’s a digital instrument cluster, the other’s for infotainment.
And the screen size isn’t just big for the sake of it. Not only is the layout clean, but the fonts are readable, and the UI is smooth.
Further, you get wirelessApple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as physical buttons and knobs where you actually want them. To be honest, it’s a rare combination: big screens and good UX, which many luxury EVs still can’t seem to figure out.
Safety and Driver Assistance: No Subscription Necessary
This is where it gets even better. Unlike some automakers,Hyundaidoesn’t lock essential features behind a paywall or subscription.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE comes packed with a full suite ofdriver assistance techas standard, including:
No extra packages. No upgrade tiers. It’s just there—functional, helpful, and thoughtfully tuned.
Calm, Quiet, and Confident on the Road
Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t a performance EV. The 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric’s 133-horsepower front-mounted motor won’t pin you to your seat, and its 48.6 kWh battery won’t take you across three states without stopping.
But for the vast majority of drivers, it’s enough—and then some. You get around 200 miles of range, which is more than enough for city commutes and running daily errands.
The Kona Electric’s acceleration is smooth, not snappy, but theinstant torque EVs are known formakes it feel responsive where it matters. Perhaps most impressively, though: it’s quiet.
Not “EV quiet with road noise” quiet—actually quiet. Hyundai clearly invested in sound insulation and cabin comfort, and it shows.
Single-speed automatic
133 hp
188 lb-ft
Front-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
7.2 seconds
101 mph
200 miles
Charging Good Enough for Daily Life
The 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric supports up to 100 kW DC fast charging, which translates to around 10 percent to 80 percent in roughly 43 minutes. Granted, it’s not the fastest in class, but it’s perfectly serviceable—and more than enough for typical use.
When you’re at home,charging this EVvia a Level 2 charger takes around 5 hours for a full charge, so overnight top-ups are a breeze. And if you’re an overachiever, it even includes Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, which enables you to power small electronics or even another EV, using the car as a portable battery bank.
So, if you’ve ever wanted to charge your laptop or smartphone, or even run a campsite from your car, this feature is no gimmick—it actually works.
48.6 kWh
Charge Time (Level 2)
4 hours 55 minutes (from 10 percent to 100 percent charge)
43 minutes (from 10 percent to 80 percent charge)
Compact, but Surprisingly Roomy
It might be labeled as asubcompact SUV, but the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric feels more like a full compact on the inside. The latest Kona Electric has a longer wheelbase than the previous generation, which gives rear passengers actual legroom, and the 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats is perfectly usable for groceries, gear, or weekend trips.
Further, the materials feel well above the price point—soft-touch surfaces where it matters, no obvious corners cut. Okay, there’s no leather, but the seats are comfortable, and the layout is intuitive, making it feel like it’s designed for real people, not spec sheet padding.
How It Compares to the Competition
At this price point, the list of all-electric options is short and often disappointing. Take the 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD, for example, which has more range (363 miles) and is quicker, but it costs almost $10,000 more (excluding incentives) and omits basics like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Then there’s the Nissan Leaf SV Plus, which is similar in price ($36,190) and offers a similar range (212 miles) but is on an aging platform with no fast-charging standard. A former budget champ, the Chevy Bolt EUV is now discontinued, but if you may find one, it’s still solid value— the cabin tech and UI don’t come close to what newer EVs offer.
Admittingly, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE may not have the longest range, but it’s hands down the most tech-rich, well-rounded option under $35,000.
Who’s the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE For?
This isn’t an EV that’s trying to be a status symbol. It’s a smart buy for smart drivers—the kind of people who know their way around a spec sheet, care about usable features over hype, and are tired of seeinggreat in-car techhidden behind $50,000+ price tags.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE offers a gateway into the electric world without compromises, making it ideal for first-time EV buyers or anyone finally fed up with fuel prices. And with up to $7,500 Hyundai Motor Finance Dealer Choice Bonus Cash available (participating Hyundai dealers) until June 10, 2025, its effective price drops below $27,000—well into used-car territory.
Hyundai Just Raised the Bar for Budget EVs
There’s no shortage of EVs out there promising “innovation,” but the truth is, very few deliver it at this price. However, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE does—quietly, confidently, and without asking you to cut corners on features that should be standard.
Yet get the tech, and you get the comfort. You get the electric convenience, too. And you still have money left over for ahome charger, road trip, or—let’s be honest—your next smart home upgrade.
