Electric vehicles have become very popular in recent years, as gas prices increase and EV efficiency and quality improve, making them a cost-effective purchasing decision. That’s why Huffines Hyundai Plano is proud to offer the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric in our inventory for new cars. We also think it’s important to compare this model with the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV, another popular electrical vehicle, so you can decide which features fit your lifestyle and budgeting needs.
When examining electric vehicles, you typically examine factors similar to gas-powered cars, such as engine power and comfort amenities. However, electrical vehicle designs also include unique amenities and features that set them apart from their gas-fueled cousins. Here’s what you need to know about these two vehicles before buying either option.
Engine Power and Range
Image via Hyundai USA
Electrical vehicle power and range have improved in recent years. The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric’s engine produces 201 horsepower on a permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor using a high-voltage 64-kW lithium-ion battery. This power produces about 291 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels and an estimated 258-mile range. These levels compare favorably to other electric vehicles currently on the market, including the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV.
The Bolt’s 65-kW engine produces slightly less horsepower and torque than the Kona Electric, with 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Bolt also has a slightly longer maximum range of just 259 miles. While these ratings remain very similar, the Kona Electric edges the Chevy Bolt slightly in overall performance and power.
Charging Times
Charging times increasingly improve for electrical models just about every year, the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric and the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV being no exception. The Hyundai comes out with a pretty significant advantage in this battle: the most high-powered charger refuels the car from 10% to 80% in about 47 minutes. That’s a mileage range increase from 26 miles to 206 miles. Most companies rate their vehicles based on the 10% to 80% charging rate because it represents how most people use their EVs, rarely dropping below 10% and often topping at 80%.
By comparison, the Chevy Bolt takes far longer to charge from the 10% to 80% range. Chevy claims the car can charge to a 100-mile range in 30 minutes from an empty battery. Calculating its 10% to 80% charging rate gives about an hour or an extra 13 minutes compared to the Bolt. When charging overnight, that extra time is hardly noticeable. People taking long road trips may notice this difference more acutely, as they’ll likely need to visit a charging station more often.
Cargo and Passenger Room
Image via Chevy
Comparing the cargo and passenger room in these two vehicles reveals fairly similarly sized spaces. While the Bolt EV is about 2.5 inches longer, 8 inches wider, and 2 inches taller, they both safely hold five passengers. The interior passenger room is pretty similar; The Kona gets an edge with 55.5 inches of shoulder room versus 54.6 inches on the Bolt. They both also have about 40 inches of headroom.
The Bolt EV has more cargo room, however, with 56.9 cubic feet compared to the Kona’s 45.8 cubic feet. Beyond this difference, the two vehicles have very similar passenger capacities, with the Kona having just a few more cubic feet for extra relaxation room. As for seating comfort and quality, both vehicles include available options like cloth seats, heated and cooled seats, power seats, and foldable rear seats. In this comparison, neither vehicle has a significant edge over the other beyond the Bolt’s extra storage space.
Infotainment and Interior Comfort
You can find some pretty high-quality infotainment options in both the 2022 Kona Electric and Bolt EV. The Bolt has an optional AM/FM stereo system, while the Kona includes it as standard. The same is true of auxiliary audio inputs, HD radio, and MP3 players. While the Bolt has standard satellite radio and Wi-Fi hotspot integration, the Kona wins in the audio options battle — the Limited trim comes standard with Harmon Kardon Premium Audio technology. You can also get a slightly larger 10.5-inch color touchscreen in the Kona Electric, versus a 10.2-inch screen in the Bolt EV.
The Kona includes standard smartphone integration systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Bolt only provides them as available options. The difference between standard and optional is often pretty significant. For example, you typically pay more for optional items than standard ones, meaning the Kona provides more features without a costly upgrade. That’s a pretty big win for Hyundai in this comparison.
Other interior features of the Kona and Bolt also compare well. For example, both come with standard heating and cooling, air conditioning, navigation, and onboard hands-free communication systems. These features keep your ride more comfortable by providing maximum temperature management. They also help you stay safe on the road by letting you set these elements automatically, so you won’t get distracted by leaning over to change the controls yourself.
Safety Features
Both the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric and Chevy Bolt EV include strong safety features that help protect you and your family. These include standard airbags for the driver, passenger, front head, rear head, and front side. Both vehicles also include standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes, four-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, child safety locks, traction control, and front tow hooks. The Kona Electric also has several standard features that the Bolt offers as optional, including blind-spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert.
So there you have it, an in-depth examination of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric vs. the Chevy Bolt EV. If you’re interested in taking a Kona for a test drive, don’t hesitate to contact us today at Huffines Hyundai Plano or visit our showroom at 909 Coit Road. Our expert staff can also help you finance a new vehicle as well. Our team will discuss the various loan options available to you and do everything they can to ensure your satisfaction with your new electric car.