2024 Hyundai KONA Electric v/s BYD Atto 3: A comparison
What's the story
South Korean automaker Hyundai has unveiled the 2024 iteration of its KONA Electric SUV. The car offers a futuristic design, an opulent cabin with several tech-based features, and promises a range of up to 490km per charge. It takes on the Atto 3 model from Warren Buffet-backed Chinese firm BYD. However, which one is a better choice? Let us have a look.
Exteriors
The KONA Electric is more pleasing to the eye
Hyundai Kona Electric sports a full-width "seamless horizon" LED lightbar, headlamps on the sides of the bumper, a charging port, roof rails, silvered wheels, and a full-width taillamp. Meanwhile, the BYD Atto 3 has a sleek grille, LED headlights with DRLs, 18-inch alloy rims, and roof rails. Dimensions-wise, the Atto 3 is longer (4,455mm v/s 4,320mm) and has a larger wheelbase (2,720mm v/s 2,658mm).
Interiors
From heated seats to sunroofs
The 2024 Hyundai KONA Electric has a 5-seater cabin with heated front seats, a backlit floating-style dashboard, a sunroof, USB chargers, and a multifunctional steering wheel. It offers a boot space of 481.3 liters. On the other hand, the BYD Atto 3 offers five seats, rear AC vents, USB chargers, and leather upholstery. It gets 440 liters of boot space inside.
Technology
What about tech and safety?
The 2024 Hyundai KONA Electric gets a 12.0-inch head-up display, two 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment panel, an ADAS suite, multiple airbags, and a 360-degree-view camera system. BYD Atto 3 comes with a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment console with Apple CarPlay and voice assistant support, six airbags, an ADAS suite, a rear-view camera, traction control, and electronic stability control.
Performance
The KONA gets multiple battery options
Hyundai KONA Electric packs an electric motor that makes 154hp/255Nm with a 48.4kWh battery and 214hp/255Nm with a 65.4kWh unit. The car delivers a range of up to 490km per charge. The BYD Atto 3 houses a 60.48kWh battery and an electric motor. The setup makes 201.15hp/310Nm and promises a range of up to 521km on a single charge.
Our verdict
Which one is a better choice?
In India, the Atto 3 falls in the price bracket of Rs. 33.99-34.49 lakh, while the KONA Electric should carry a premium over the outgoing model which costs between Rs. 23.84-24.03 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom). The Atto 3 is a decent offering but our vote goes to the KONA for its better looks, more battery options, and an expected lower price tag.