2019 Hyundai Kona Electric priced for aggressive launch

Hyundai has confirmed pricing for the 2019 Kona Electric, and the EV crossover is shaping up to be one of the most affordable options on the US market. The Kona Electric will start at $36,450 before any incentives or tax credits; after those, Hyundai points out, the EV could come in at under $30k.

For that, you'll need to be eligible for the full electric vehicle tax credit, which currently stands at $7,500. That would bring the 2019 Kona Electric down to $28,950, or $29,995 including destination. State incentives – if applicable – would be applied on top of that.

Exact pricing for all of the Kona Electric trims is yet to be confirmed. This entry-level Kona Electric SEL model will have 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque from its electric motor, and Hyundai says range should come in at around 258 miles. It'll support EV fast charging.

As for tech, there's forward collision-avoidance assistance, blind spot collision warnings, lane keeping assistance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assistance. Keyless entry is standard, as is smart cruise control. The Kona Electric SEL gets 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights, plus heated side mirrors.

Inside, there's a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic single-zone climate control – with a driver-only mode – and heated front seats. Hyundai also throws in a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats.

Further up the range, the Kona Electric Limited will add LED headlights and a power tilting/sliding sunroof, leather seating surfaces, and a power driver seat with lumbar adjustment. There's also an auto-dimming rear view mirror, power windows with front auto-up/down, and wireless device charging, along with an Infinity Premium Audio system.

Finally, the Kona Electric Ultimate will throw in rain-sensing wipers, reverse parking sensors, and a heated steering wheel. There's also ventilated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen navigation system, and a head-up display. Smart cruise control with stop and go is also standard on the Ultimate trim.

Hyundai may well have pitched the 2019 Kona Electric perfectly, given the state of the auto market in the US right now. Crossovers are perennially popular, but there's a notable lack of compact crossover EVs. Indeed the only issue Hyundai may face is availability.

According to the automaker, sales will kick off at the beginning of 2019, though only in California at first. That'll expand over time into what Hyundai describes as "the ZEV-focused state sin the western and northeastern regions" of the US.