Is the all-electric Hyundai Kona a better SUV buy than a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or the hybrid Toyota C-HR?
As emissions regulations become ever more stringent, car manufacturers are increasingly looking for ways to cut down their models’ CO2 outputs – or eradicate them altogether.
This in turn means buyers who take the plunge have to fork out less money on their vehicles’ running costs. But if you’re looking to buy an Alternative Fuel Vehicle, what’s the best way to go?
Hyundai Kona Electric (Image: Hyundai)
There are many different types of technology in the marketplace, so to make sure you choose the right approach for your needs we’ve lined up three of the best alternatively-fuelled SUVs on sale today. In the all-electric camp is the Hyundai Kona Electric, our favourite affordable EV. Representing plug-in power is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Britain’s best-selling plug-in hybrid car, and flying the flag for conventional hybrid technology is the Toyota C-HR.
We really like all three models because of their ability to save fuel (or energy). So over the course of this test we’ll outline exactly how the tech in each car works, how to get the most from them and what you can expect from them day to day as we pick a winner.
Hyundai Kona Electric
If you’re looking at an electric car there’s a growing number to choose from, but the Hyundai Kona Electric is our current favourite affordable EV. Here we’re running the rule over the 39kWh model in Premium trim, at £28,720.
Electric cars are all about easy performance, and there’s plenty present here. The Kona Electric covered 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds (the fastest of the three cars), with an instant and impressive hit from 0-30mph. Acceleration tails off after this, but there’s still enough zip at motorway speeds for overtakes.
This is where the Kona is most comfortable, absorbing bumps with a welcome level of elasticity. Around town it’s also good; it’s just on twistier country roads (when the Kona’s chassis is being asked to cope with more) where it loses composure. It’s never uncomfortable, though.
Read more: Auto Express