To all the folks seeking electric SUVs that are affordable, practical, and have a good driving range, this 2025 Volvo EX30 vs 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric should give you a clearer picture. The EX30 is one of the newest entrants in the market. It has a Scandinavian design and offers great fast-charging capabilities, despite the recent Software Recall. The Hyundai Kona Electric, on the other hand, has good fuel economy, swift acceleration, and standard features. For the 2025 model year, both SUV topped their game up with fresh features, or, in the EX30’s case, an all-new model. Both models offer impressive features, but which one should you choose? In this post, I will break down the key differences to help you decide between these two compact electric SUVs.
As far as the compact electric SUV segment goes, the 2025 EX30 and 2025 Kona Electric are top contenders. While both electric SUVs have 64-kWh battery packs, the EX30 delivers a driving range of 275 miles while the Kona maxes out at 260 miles for the single-motor version. Let’s dive into the battle between the EX30 and the Kona Electric.
2025 EX30 Vs 2025 Kona Electric: Performance and Power: EV Motor, Power
For 2025, the Volvo EX30 offers both single- and dual-motor versions, which are very flexible from a buyer’s perspective. The single-motor rear-wheel-drive EX30 model comes with a 268-hp setup. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive version delivers 422 horsepower.
On the other hand, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric offers a more modest performance. Like the EX30, the Kona Electric also offers two powertrain setups, albeit both front-wheel drives. The Kona setup comes in two FWD options: a 133-hp base model and a 201-hp version.
Comparing the electric SUVs, the single-motor EX30 delivers 268 horsepower, while the single-motor Hyundai Kona Electric has 133 horsepower. While the 2025 EX30 has a 422-hp dual-motor all-wheel drive, the Kona only comes with the FWD version, with 201 HP in the top model.
So, between the 2025 EX30 and the 2024 Kona EV, the Winner is the Volvo EX30 for its power.
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All-Wheel Drive Availability
One of the main differences between the 2025 EX30 and the 2025 Kona EV is the availability of an all-wheel drive or lack thereof. While the EX30 offers a single-motor rear-motor and all-wheel drive version with 422 horsepower, the Hyundai Kona electric doesn’t offer an all-wheel drive setup. You can only have the 2025 Kona Electric with Front-Wheel drive.
When it comes to AWD, the 2025 EX30 is a winner for coming with a 422-HP all-wheel drive configuration, while the Kona electric is only available with an FWD.
2025 EX30 Vs 2025 Kona Electric 0-60mph Acceleration Times
Our 2025 Volvo EX30 vs. 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric brings us to another aspect of any car, acceleration and speed. And the results between these SUVs won’t surprise you.
The 268-hp setup EX30 with single-motor rear-wheel-drive model can go from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds, while the FWD Kona Electric goes from 0-60mph in a slow 7.0 seconds. While the Kona is slower than the Volvo, it still has enough acceleration to get around as a daily commuting electric SUV.
On top of the RWD version, the 422-HP dual-motor AWD EX30 can achieve 60mph acceleration in 3.4 seconds, making it one of Volvo’s quickest models, and further quicker than the Hyundai Kona Electric.
When it comes to 0-60mph acceleration, the Winner is the Volvo EX30 for a speedy 5.1-sec time compared to the Kona’s 7 seconds.
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Battery Life and Driving Range Comparison
Both the 2025 Volvo EX30 and the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric feature 64-kWh battery packs. But, as we are about to find out, the Volvo EX30 edges out the Kona in terms of estimated range.
The single-motor EX30 offers up to 275 miles per charge, while the dual-motor version provides up to 265 miles.
The Hyundai Kona Electric offers two battery options: a base 48.6-kWh pack with a 200-mile range and a 64.8-kWh option that increases the range to 260 miles. In CarandDriver’s real-world testing, the Kona achieved 230 miles.
Winner: Volvo EX30 for its slightly longer range and faster-charging capabilities.
Charging Capabilities And Times
Aside from the battery sizes and driving range, the charging times are also competitive. On a DC fast charger, the Volvo EX30 claims a 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes, while the Kona Electric’s battery 80% charge in 43 minutes. This means the 2025 EX30 charges faster than the 2025 Kona Electric when connected to DC.
Winner: Volvo EX30 for its faster charging capabilities
Fuel Economy and Real-World Efficiency
When it comes to efficiency, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric beats the 2025 EX30. The Kona delivers an EPA-estimated 129 MPGe city and 103 MPGe highway with the larger battery. This makes the Kona Electric one of the most efficient electric SUVs in its class. In real-world testing, the Kona Electric achieved 110 MPGe on the highway.
The 2025 Volvo EX30’s single-motor version offers EPA estimates of 127 MPGe highway and 104 MPGe city for models equipped with 19- and 20-inch wheels. These figures place the EX30 among the top performers in the small electric SUV segment. The Kona Electric has a slight edge in overall efficiency than the Volvo EX30.
Winner: Hyundai Kona Electric for its superior fuel economy.
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Interior And Comfort
Both 2025 SUV vehicles offer well-designed, comfortable cabins with unique touches. The Volvo EX30 features a minimalist Scandinavian design. Notably, the interior uses recycled materials like denim and flax. It features bucket seats that provide a comfortable ride, in addition to the balanced chassis. Its compact dimensions and sustainable focus make it an eco-friendly choice.
Benefiting from its previous redesign, the Hyundai Kona Electric has a more spacious interior than the EX30. The cabin features a floating horizontal center pad that removes some division between the front seats. One of the best features is the ambient lighting, which adds a personal touch.
Winner: Tie. Both the EX30 and Kona Electric offer well-crafted interiors
Cargo Space
Both the 2025 EX30 and the 2025 Kona Electric offer a similar cargo space of 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, though the Kona’s front trunk is limited to storing charging cables.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2025 Volvo EX30 has a 12.3-inch vertically oriented display screen that serves both as an infotainment hub and gauge display. This infotainment system runs on Volvo’s updated Google-based interface. Standard features include Google Maps, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto..
In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric has two 12.3-inch displays, one for vehicle info and the other for infotainment. The Kona also features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
Winner: Hyundai Kona Electric for its dual-screen setup and added connectivity options.
2025 Volvo EX30 Vs 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric Safety
Both the Volvo EX30 and Hyundai Kona Electric have good safety features, including standard automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
On top of the standard safety tech, the EX30 has cyclist and pedestrian detection in its emergency braking system.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Kona Electric offers additional features like a surround-view monitor and self-parking capabilities. If you live in an urban environment, then you’d appreciate how handy these features can be.
When it comes to safety features, the EX30 and the Kona Electric Tie. Both vehicles offer excellent safety features, with slight variations based on preference.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
For the 2025 Kona Electric, Hyundai offers a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and 3 years of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
For the 2025 EX30, Volvo offers 4 years/50,000 miles for both the limited and powertrain warranties and 8 years/100,000 miles of coverage for battery components. Volvo also includes 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Winner: Hyundai Kona Electric for its more generous warranty coverage.
2025 Volvo EX30 Vs 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric: Which Electric SUV Should You Choose?
I hope this 2025 Volvo EX30 Vs 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric was informed enough about the two. Both the Volvo and the Hyundai are fantastic options for anyone looking to enter the electric SUV market.
The Volvo EX3) offers better performance, quicker charging, and eco-friendly design, making it ideal for those seeking luxury and speed. On the other hand, the Hyundai Kona Electric provides better efficiency, more infotainment features, and warranty coverage, all at an affordable price point.
If you prioritize performance, the Volvo EX30 is the better choice over the Kona electric. However, if value and efficiency top your list, I recommend picking the Hyundai Kona Electric. Plus, it’s affordable.