The visitors in Beverly Hills is thick and slow-moving as I creep my manner again towards my resort. The place all of the vehicles round me are losing hydrocarbons as we idle at every purple mild, although, my automobile is producing no native emissions in any respect. I am on the wheel of the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electrical, the plug-in model of the automaker's funky new subcompact crossover. It's miles from the one new electrical automobile to launch this 12 months, however the Kona ought to make a giant splash within the non-luxury finish of the battery-car phase.An important issues for electric-car consumers are two numbers: vary and beginning worth. On the primary query, the Kona Electrical performs very effectively, with its 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery pack delivering 258 miles per cost. These figures make this the longest-range non-luxury EV, beating the likes of the Chevrolet Bolt EV (238 miles) and Nissan Leaf (151 miles) -- and even Hyundai's personal Ioniq Electrical (124 miles).Sadly, as of writing Hyundai hasn't confirmed the Kona Electrical's beginning worth. Nevertheless, the automaker guarantees it is going to be aggressive and inexpensive. Most probably which means we'll see a base worth someplace between a Bolt at $37,495 and the Leaf at $30,885 (all numbers embrace vacation spot however exclude any relevant tax incentives). We'll replace this story as quickly as we have got full pricing particulars.After all, strong figures on paper are nothing to get enthusiastic about if driving the Kona Electrical is a bore. Happily, that is not the case.Styling tweaks for the Electrical embrace closing off the grille for aerodynamics and becoming drag-reducing wheels. Hyundai All-electric efficiencyThe Kona Electrical's fun-to-drive nature begins with punchy acceleration. The automobile's permanent-magnet synchronous motor produces 201 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. That is extra energy and far more torque than is obtainable by the common Kona's optionally available turbo engine, although the EV model is heavier -- roughly 370 kilos portlier than the heaviest gas-powered Kona. Nonetheless, Hyundai claims a brisk Zero-60-mph sprint of seven.6 seconds and a restricted prime pace of 104 miles per hour.As with every electrical automobile, the Kona Electrical is fast and keen as a result of its motor provides up all that torque immediately, no downshifts required. The low-rolling-resistance tires will struggle in opposition to the traction management away from stops and even at freeway speeds, neck-jolting acceleration is accessible on command.Above all, the automobile is calm and quiet because of the shortage of any internal-combustion noises. At low speeds, a brand new federally required noise performs to alert pedestrians and different drivers. It reminds of the futuristic buzzing and whirring that vehicles made in older sci-fi motion pictures. On the freeway, there's little sound within the cabin except for wind noise.A brand new heart console and instrument cluster distinguish the Electrical's cabin from the common Kona. Hyundai Relating to trip and dealing with, the Kona Electrical feels fairly much like its gas-powered progenitor: good, if not distinctive. The steering and brakes really feel fairly respectable for an electrical automobile, and whereas the added weight of the battery pack is noticeable, the Electrical nonetheless traces curves competently and smooths out most highway imperfections.Battery and charging particularsThe battery pack is a flat design mounted within the ground of the Kona Electrical, a structure that is changing into commonplace amongst new EVs. The battery is liquid-cooled, which Hyundai says helps preserve charging occasions and efficiency extra constant in excessive chilly or scorching climate. And it's surrounded by specifically strengthened rails to maintain the pack protected within the occasion of a crash. The pack's 64-kilowatt-hour battery simply trumps the dimensions of the one within the Chevy Bolt EV (60 kWh) and is way greater than the Nissan Leaf's (40 kWh), although Nissan is planning to launch a longer-range Leaf quickly.A 7.2-kilowatt fast-charger is constructed into the automobile as commonplace (Hyundai is keen to notice that the Bolt expenses additional for fast-charge functionality). It is claimed to juice the Kona Electrical's battery as much as 80 p.c in simply 54 minutes. A Degree 2 charger, the sort you are most definitely to put in in your storage, will absolutely cost the battery in a claimed 9 hours and 35 minutes.The Kona's charging port is mounted up entrance, so no backing into areas if you wish to plug in. Hyundai The charging port is situated on the entrance of the automobile, on the driving force's facet of the grille. There is a button subsequent to it to begin charging the battery immediately; Hyundai officers mentioned analysis indicated that prospects had been pissed off if their EV was set to scheduled-charging they usually wanted to get again inside to begin it juicing up right away.That battery location means the Kona Electrical has the identical quantity of cargo house and back-seat room because the gasoline mannequin. The previous, by the numbers, is available in at 19.2 cubic toes with the 60/40 split-folding seats raised and 45.Eight with them lowered. Head- and legroom within the again seat are fairly good, however observe that the Kona remains to be a small-ish automobile: in case you've obtained a six-footer within the again, the passenger might want to scoot his or her seat ahead to make each comfy.EV-specific designOn the skin, the Hyundai Kona Electrical takes on a barely completely different look than its sibling in an effort to reduce aerodynamic drag. That flush grille, a flat underbody tray and even aerodynamically optimized wheels reduce the drag coefficient to Zero.29, proper between the figures posted by a Leaf and a Bolt. An energetic shutter within the decrease fascia stays closed to cut back drag however can open when cooling air is required.There's simply as a lot cargo house because the non-electric Kona. Hyundai Just like the common one, the plug-in Kona appears to be like funky. Not everybody will adore it, however at the very least it's miles much less intentionally bizarre by way of design than another EVs. The subdued colour palette consists of decisions like Ceramic Blue and Pulse Crimson, however not one of the wildest colours (e.g., lime inexperienced) of the gasoline Kona. EV-specific inside tweaks embrace a push-button shifter that sits on a brand new, tall console. There's house on the entrance of the console for the optionally available wi-fi phone-charging pad, whereas beneath it's extra cupboard space and USB ports. A brand new digital instrument cluster, too, supplies data on battery cost and power utilization.Expertise aplentyWhile you're on the transfer, you possibly can select between three driving modes: the default Regular, Eco and Sport. They regulate the throttle mapping and regenerative-braking efficiency, however frankly, Regular is the one to go along with. Even in that mode, the Kona Electrical provides each decisive acceleration and thrifty regen. In case you're freaked out the battery is about to run down removed from a charging level, you possibly can even choose an Eco+ mode that disables the air-con, reduces efficiency and cuts most pace to 60 miles per hour -- all to eke out a number of extra miles of vary.The Kona Electrical additionally has paddles on the steering wheel for adjusting how a lot regenerative braking you get, a characteristic we additionally noticed on the Ioniq Electrical and lots of different rival EVs. Drivers can choose from Degree Zero (coasting like a gasoline automobile) to Degree four, wherein you get Zero.25 g of deceleration when lifting off the throttle, which is sufficient that the Kona's brake lamps illuminate. You may as well maintain the left-hand paddle to get most regen and sluggish the automobile with out utilizing the brake pedal.These paddles aren't for shifting however for adjusting the automobile's brake-regeneration stage. Hyundai As with the drive modes, the default regen choice -- Degree 1 -- is one of the best for many driving. It appears to recoup numerous energy simply with out forcing a brand new driving model. The extra aggressive ranges will begin slowing the automobile earlier than you even elevate off, and it takes some adaptation to know that, say, five-percent throttle enter will really decelerate the automobile.Hyundai will promote the Kona Electrical in three trim ranges. Even the bottom SEL is generously geared up, with a seven-inch touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated entrance seats, push-button begin, forward-collision warning and braking, lane-keep help and blind-spot monitoring. Transferring as much as the Restricted will add options like a sunroof, LED head- and taillights, leather-based seats and wi-fi cellphone charging. The Final provides an Eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, a head-up show, adaptive cruise management, a heated steering wheel, cooled entrance seats and an upgraded Infinity sound system.Able to enter the electric-car frayThe 2019 Hyundai Kona Electrical goes on sale in the beginning of 2019. It's going to initially launch in California and different states with excessive gross sales of electrical vehicles. Though Hyundai does plan to supply the Kona Electrical nationwide, the automaker says the gradual roll-out is smart on condition that, based on its numbers, about 80 p.c of all EVs are bought in California.The Kona Electrical will launch in California first earlier than spreading to different states. Hyundai As with every electrical automobile, potential patrons might want to think about whether or not their commute and entry to cost factors will work with the Kona Electrical. Nevertheless, the automobile's lengthy driving vary and inexpensive entry worth will make it a extra possible choice for extra drivers. Just like the gasoline-powered mannequin we fairly like, the Kona Electrical has just-above-average driving enjoyment, a sensible cabin and crowd pleasing design. It is a actually thrilling alternative within the electric-car house as a result of it would not appear to ask many compromises in any respect of its patrons.Editors' observe: Roadshow accepts multi-day car loans from producers in an effort to present scored editorial opinions. All scored car opinions are accomplished on our turf and on our phrases. Nevertheless, for this characteristic, the producer lined journey prices. That is frequent within the auto trade, as it's miles extra economical to ship journalists to vehicles than to ship vehicles to journalists.The judgments and opinions of Roadshow's editorial group are our personal and we don't settle for paid editorial content material.