Hyundai Kona Rated Best “Real-World” EV in Europe

The all-electric 64-kWh version of Hyundai Motor Co.’s Kona compact crossover vehicle had the best “real-world” driving range (259 miles) of 12 EVs sold in Europe during tests conducted by U.K. magazine What Car?

The Kona (pictured) was followed closely by the Jaguar I-Pace and Kia Niro electric crossovers, both of which posted ranges of 253 miles. The only other vehicle to travel more than 200 miles per charge during the tests was the Tesla Model S 75D performance sedan with a rating of 204 miles.

A pair of Mercedes-Benz Smart cars—the ForFour sedan (57 miles) and ForTwo coupe (59 miles)—brought up the rear. The VW e-Up (66 miles) was the only other vehicle not to break the 100-mile threshold.

The electric version of Hyundai’s Ioniq sedan had the most efficient battery, with a real-world rating of 3.9 miles per kWh. The 64- and 39-kWh versions of the Kona each averaged 3.6 m/kWh. The Tesla Model S fared the worst with a rating of 2.4 m/kWh.

Each car was charged, stored and tested at What Car?’s 19.4-mile test track, which includes simulated highway and city driving conditions.

The headlights were turned on and the climate control was set to 21°C (69.8°F) during testing, which included two average-size adult occupants.

The 12 EVs, real world driving kWh ranges are:

• Hyundai Kona Electric 64kWh        259 miles (3.6 m/kWh)
• Jaguar I-Pace                                    253            2.6
• Kia e-Niro 64kWh                              253            3.5
• Tesla Model S 75D                           204            2.4
• Hyundai Kona Electric 39kWh        158            3.6
• Renault Zoe R110                             146            2.9
• Nissan Leaf                                       128            2.8
• BMW i3 94Ah                                    121            3.1
• Volkswagen e-Golf                           117            3.3
• Hyundai Ioniq Electric                      117            3.9
• Volkswagen e-Up                                66            3.5
• Smart Fortwo EQ Cabrio                   59            2.9   
• Smart Forfour EQ                               57            2.9

Full results are available on What Car?’s website.