BMW i3 v Hyundai Kona Electric 2019 Comparison

The two EVs matched against each other in this comparison represent the changing philosophies of product-development teams designing and engineering electric cars.

Darth Vader's TIE fighter in this contest is the BMW i3s, a car with idiosyncratic styling and rear-wheel drive in a quasi-MPV package. Practicality is everything in this car.

Luke Skywalker's X-Wing fighter is represented by the Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander, a car that features front-wheel drive and SUV-style packaging in a design that's largely shared with the conventional petrol Kona.

Despite their differences, the two EVs are priced quite closely, which is surprising in the context of two cars at opposing ends of the brand spectrum.

Both these cars are zero-emissions vehicles – albeit not in well-to-wheel terms – and both sneak in below $70,000. Although the Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander is longer by 174mm, both vehicles come in under 4.2 metres, which makes them small cars for urban duties.

While the Kona is a small SUV in VFACTS terminology, the BMW i3s is nominally a small passenger car. To our eyes the BMW is packaged like a Euro-style mini MPV, but the measure from the road to the roof of the i3s is actually more like an SUV – 20mm higher than the same dimension for the Kona.

So we've established that the Hyundai is an electrified version of a small SUV, but the BMW is harder to define as a package. Yet the two cars shadow each other closely in the market.

Leaving aside the labels, both cars are fairly practical at conveying small families in silent, green serenity for the school pick-ups and the run down to the shops.

Obviously these cars will suit the needs of commuters too, and older buyers will also appreciate the high hip point of each vehicle for ferrying the bowls set around. So these are cars that could court family-car buyers and professional people as well as empty-nesters.

But styling is where the two cars part company. It's clear that the quirky styling of the older BMW i3s is aimed at early adopters and non-conformists, but the more mainstream look of the Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander will appeal more to buyers who don't necessarily want to make a green statement.

Our long-term test Hyundai Kona Electric is trimmed to Highlander level, but comes with two-tone paint. The sunroof that's normally standard for the flagship model is deleted when the two-tone paint is specified, but the price remains $64,490. At $595 extra, metallic paint is the sole option for the Kona as tested.

At $69,900 the BMW i3s is $5000 dearer than the Kona, and the test vehicle was fitted with a host of options taking the price up to $76,200. These options included an 'i' interior design suite priced at $3000 and $500 worth of alloy wheels.

Let's be up-front about this: Many will warm to the Kona simply because it's more of what buyers expect from cars running on petrol or diesel. With the exception of the buttons for the 'transmission', the Kona could be any Japanese or Korean car produced within the last 10 years, once the driver is seat behind the wheel.

The i3s is the polar opposite. And 'polar' is exactly the right word. Many of the ergonomic conventions – switchgear, instrumentation, snug-fitting seats and relationship to wheel and pedals – will be familiar to BMW owners.

But even BMW owners will be left floundering, locating the start button on the same wand as the drive modes (PNDR) to the right of the steering column. With familiarity, however, the i3's driving position makes sense and offers a better field of vision than the Kona, although the Hyundai's seats are more comfortable.

Only 30mm separates these two cars in the wheelbase, yet the shorter i3 offers more rear-seat legroom. The Kona compensates with a larger, more useful boot.

At parking speeds the rear-drive layout of the BMW ensures the i3 is easy to fit in tight spots. And its compact footprint helps there as well. It's a car that holds a slight edge over the Kona for urban adventuring.

Although reviewer Feann Torr liked the direct steering response of the BMW, colleague Ken Gratton preferred the handling of the Hyundai, which felt more secure at higher speeds. The roadholding was in the same ballpark for the pair, and to the BMW's credit, it achieved this with a much narrower tyre – 175/55 R20 versus 215/55 R17. What the BMW's Bridgestones lacked in width against the Hyundai's Nexens it made up in profile.

Power delivery varies for each car. Weight transfer and power-to-weight ratio both favour the rear-drive i3, but the Kona is no slouch and with 120Nm more torque to play with the Hyundai is stronger at overtaking speeds. If you doubt that EVs could be powerful and quick, watch the video accompanying this comparison.

On the other hand, the Kona impressed with its low energy consumption. At the end of one evening commute, the Hyundai attained a figure below 15kWh/100km. It's a car that can actually achieve something like its official electric-only range in the real world. Despite its added tare weight – over 450kg more – the Kona Electric motored around a 70km test loop using energy at a highly commendable rate of 16.4kWh/100km.

Both cars are equipped with excellent headlights. The i3's lights hold a slight edge over the Kona's. While the i3 came with auto high-beam and adaptive lights, the Kona virtually matched the i3 for performance and featured static cornering lights, finishing a close second to the BMW for vision at night.

The rear-seat accommodation in the Kona is cramped. There's no problem with headroom, thanks to the Hyundai's SUV roofline, but legroom is tight for occupants in their late teenage years or adulthood.

In spite of its legroom and the dipping waistline at the rear doors, the i3 feels 'claustrophobic' in the rear seat, according to Feann, who is taller than average, it has to be said. The front seats of the i3 are better shaped to hold the occupant in place, but they feel uncomfortable after a while. On a longer journey we'd take the Kona any day, for that reason alone.

While the interior styling of the i3 may be too avant-garde for some, it's nicely finished at least and is very futuristic in a 21st century context. The Kona's interior is also assembled properly, but looks like the set of a Gerry and Silvia Anderson space opera from the 1970s. Still, if you grew up in the 1970s you'll feel like Commander Straker driving around in the Kona.

Ken was not content with the BMW's handling at higher speeds. Even with their low-profile construction the Bridgestones at the front of the i3 were rolling over on their sidewalls. And while the handling was no better than the Kona's – although roadholding was on par with the Hyundai's – the i3 also rode in a firm, choppy sort of way, compared with the Kona. On top of all that, the suspension of the i3s was noisy over lumpy bitumen and expansion joints.

The Nexen tyres fitted to the Kona rode better, but weren't as quiet as the Bridgestones on the i3. They were prone to squeal more under heavy braking or powering through bends.

While the Kona offers handling more in line with what we expect from mainstream front-wheel drives, the Hyundai was prone to some torque steer, which is hardly surprising with 400Nm pumping through the front wheels. Still, all kudos to Hyundai's engineers for limiting the torque steer as much as they have.

Ultimately, the i3 can't compete with the Kona for range. For a lot of prospective buyers that immediately settles the matter in favour of the Hyundai.

The Hyundai Kona Electric has impressed during its long-term stay with us for the way it has alleviated range anxiety. Having a fast-charging outlet at carsales HQ has helped there, of course.

The Kona Electric may weigh considerably more than the BMW i3s, but that extra weight never seems to have a profound effect on performance, acceleration or dynamics. Nor does it have any apparent impact on the Hyundai's efficiency and range.

There are also many other aspects that hand the win to the Hyundai. We prefer its more conventional design approach and its driveability. Notwithstanding tyre noise on country bitumen, the Kona is a better touring machine than the BMW.

The i3's natural element is in the suburbs. But the Kona shines there too.

How much does the 2019 BMW i3s 120Ah cost?
Price: $69,900 (plus on-road costs), $76,200 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Motor: Synchronous electric
Output: 135kW/270Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Energy consumption: 14.5kWh/100km (Green Vehicle Guide), 20kWh/100km on test
CO2: 130g/km (Lifecycle emissions)
Safety Rating: five-star (ANCAP, 2014)

How much does the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Highlander cost?
Price: $64,490 (plus on-road costs), $65,085 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Motor: Synchronous electric
Output: 150kW/395Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Energy consumption: 13.1kWh/100km (Green Vehicle Guide), 16.4kWh/100km on test
CO2: 118g/km (Lifecycle emissions)
Safety Rating: five-star (ANCAP, 2017)