DUBAI — Kona Electric has been acknowledged as the Best Small Family Car in the inaugural TopGear Electric Awards, after it completed a 1,600-kilometers road trip across 9 European countries.

Hyundai Motor’s fully electric SUV was not only commended for its efficiency and long-distance capability but also for its smooth and effortless performance.

The 24-hour-long drive took place in December 2019, with BBC TopGear magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Charlie Turner using the European rapid charger network to supply the Kona Electric with 316kWh of electricity, choosing to only charge to 80% capacity in order to maximize driving time.

In total 9 countries were visited with the trip starting in the Czech Republic and the 1,600-kilometer drive taking in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland.

Charlie Turner said: “While we find ourselves in lockdown, having the freedom to travel through as many countries as you want is the stuff of distant dreams.

“It’s reassuring, however, to know that as electrification becomes an ever growing part of our vehicular future, cars like Kona Electric can already deliver and whilst most won’t cover the miles in the way we did, we’ve proved that range anxiety shouldn’t play a part in long-distance travel.”

Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, vice marketing and product at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “Following its launch in 2018, Kona Electric has continued to prove itself as an affordable zero-emission all-rounder, combining practicality with range and performance.

“The most recent updates have brought enhanced connectivity and a three-phase on-board charger, making the overall package even more compelling. We are delighted that TopGear has acknowledged the strengths of Kona Electric, adding to the many previous awards for this remarkable car.”

Bang Sun Jeong, vice president, head of Middle East & Africa Operation, said: “This award is a recognition of Hyundai’s desire to introduce zero emissions mobility while also meeting to the consumer expectations when it comes to safety, comfort, and performance."

“KONA has been widely praised for its long driving range, on-road performance, design and practicality and we hope to continue introducing more electric vehicles to the region in the near future," he added. — SG