EV switching guide
Change carsComing from a Hyundai Kona Electric (first generation)?
A practical answer based on range, charging, compatible stations, running costs and the features you use every day.
Reference model
Reference model
If your battery still covers your daily loop comfortably, keeping the Kona Electric is rational. Switch when charging or range starts deciding where you can go.
Quick answer
Meaningful upgradeThe Hyundai IONIQ 5 brings several practical improvements. It makes most sense if those changes solve problems you already feel with the Hyundai Kona Electric (first generation).
Range per charge
Current · Kona Electric
390 km
New · IONIQ 5
450 km
60 km more range
10–80% charging
Current · Kona Electric
54 min
New · IONIQ 5
22 min
32 min less waiting
Charging stops on a 600 km day
Current · Kona Electric
2 stops
New · IONIQ 5
1 stop
Fewer charging breaks
Your result
Start with what improves, then check the trade-offs and what will still feel familiar.
Side by side
Your Kona Electric
IONIQ 5
*Estimated mixed-condition real-world range. Missing database values are omitted or marked unavailable.
For you, the owner
A specification only matters when it changes your routine. Here is how moving from your Hyundai Kona Electric (first generation) to the Hyundai IONIQ 5 translates into ordinary weeks, longer journeys and the habits you already have.
Your normal week
You gain about 60 km of estimated real-world range, so you can leave a larger buffer instead of watching the remaining percentage as closely. At the same €0.30/kWh home tariff, allow about €42 more per 10,000 km; the newer car is not the cheaper one to power in this pairing.
Beyond the daily commute
On a 600 km day, our route estimate falls from 2 charging stops to 1. That means less planning and more freedom to pass a busy charger. For a 10–80% top-up, the estimates move from roughly 54 minutes in the Kona Electric to 22 minutes in the IONIQ 5 under the stated charging assumptions. Compatible-station coverage is unchanged, so every charging location counted for your current plug remains represented.
Living with the car
Both cars have a heat pump, so efficient winter cabin heating remains familiar. Battery preconditioning also means the new car can prepare its pack before a fast-charge stop on cold days. You keep the same 5-seat capacity.
The honest decision
Switch if real-world range, 10–80% fast charge, battery preconditioning solve frustrations you feel regularly. The move should remove a real limitation—not simply put a newer car on the driveway.
Keep the Hyundai Kona Electric (first generation) if it still covers your routine comfortably and its charging stops do not shape your journeys. You also avoid giving up efficiency. Some Hyundai Kona Electric (first generation)s are now around 7 years old, but age alone is not a reason to replace a healthy battery.
Charging
Compatible-location counts come from PlugSphere’s charging-station database and each reference car’s stored plug standard.
Check a route with the IONIQ 5 →Today
144,123
compatible charging locations
After switching
144,123
compatible charging locations
DC fast locations are matched at 50 kW or more. Counts change as the station database is refreshed.
Your Hyundai Kona Electric (first generation) today
The oldest Hyundai Kona Electric (first generation)s are now ~7 years old. Fleet telemetry puts typical degradation at 1.5–2% per year — the bands below apply that to each version's original range.
*PlugSphere estimates; actual battery health varies with climate and charging habits. We never estimate used-car prices.
Money
Running-cost estimates use the same €0.30/kWh home tariff for both cars. Purchase prices appear only where a current market record exists.
Home energy · 10,000 km
Kona Electric
€492
IONIQ 5
€534
Current IONIQ 5 prices
Answers computed from both cars' data.
If range or charging speed limits you, the data shows you gain 60 km of real-world range and a 10–80% stop of about 22 minutes. If your Kona Electric still covers your daily loop comfortably, keeping it is a rational choice.
Real-world range, 10–80% fast charge, Battery preconditioning — while giving up efficiency.
Efficiency (164 Wh/km → 178 Wh/km).
The oldest Hyundai Kona Electric (first generation)s are now about 7 years old and have typically lost 1.5–2% of range per year. The case for switching starts when you charge to 100% daily just to feel safe, or when fast-charging stops dictate your routes.
Next steps
Use the route you actually drive, then inspect the full reference-car record. That will tell you more than another generic best-EV list.