Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) vs Hyundai Kona SE (gas): 5-year cost to own in the U.S.
As of August 6, 2026, over 5 years (U.S. average, 12,000 mi/yr), the Hyundai Kona SE (gas) stays the cheaper car to own — about $39,243 vs $50,835 for the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range), a $11,592 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsHyundai Kona SE (gas) · $39,243 total · $11,592 less than the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range)
Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) vs Hyundai Kona SE (gas) — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Hyundai Kona Electric SEL | Gas · Hyundai Kona SE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $21,314 (42%) | $9,907 (25%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,740 (9%) | $7,446 (19%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$569) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (7%) | $5,640 (14%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (27%) | $11,000 (28%) |
| Financing interest | $6,371 (13%) | $4,250 (11%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $50,835 | $39,243 |
The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.
When does the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) win?
Even at 30,000+ mi/yr or a 15-year hold, the Hyundai Kona SE (gas) stays cheaper here — its lower price and slower depreciation dominate. The Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) is the pick mainly for reasons beyond 5-year cost (performance, emissions, HOV access, home-charging convenience).
No sugar-coating it — the Hyundai Kona SE (gas) is decisively cheaper: $11,592 over 5 years, about 30% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) vs Hyundai Kona SE (gas) verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $21,314 on the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) against $9,907 on the Hyundai Kona SE (gas), an $11,407 gap in the Hyundai Kona SE (gas)'s favor — the largest slice of the $11,592 verdict. On the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range), depreciation alone is 42% of its $50,835 total; on the Hyundai Kona SE (gas) it is 25% of $39,243.
- Insurance: Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) $13,750, Hyundai Kona SE (gas) $11,000 — $2,750 more in the Hyundai Kona SE (gas)'s favor.
- Energy: $4,740 of charging for the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) vs $7,446 of gas for the Hyundai Kona SE (gas) — $2,706 the other way, to the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range).
- Financing interest: Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) $6,371, Hyundai Kona SE (gas) $4,250 — $2,121 more in the Hyundai Kona SE (gas)'s favor.
The Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range)'s best answer is energy — $2,706 back the other way — which covers 23% of the Hyundai Kona SE (gas)'s $11,592 lead. The Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) starts $11,275 behind the Hyundai Kona SE (gas) at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $11,592. The Hyundai Kona SE (gas) is ahead by $4,621 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $11,592 by year 5.
Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) vs Hyundai Kona SE (gas), side by side
Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range)
- 5-yr total cost
- $50,835
- Cost / month
- $847
- Cost / mile
- $0.85
- MSRP
- $36,875
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 29 kWh/100mi
Hyundai Kona SE (gas)
- 5-yr total cost
- $39,243
- Cost / month
- $654
- Cost / mile
- $0.65
- MSRP
- $25,600
- Powertrain
- Gas
- Efficiency
- 31 mpg
- Electricity (US avg)
- 18.4¢/kWh EIA
- Gas price (US avg)
- $3.85/gal AAA
Full cost breakdowns
Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) vs Hyundai Kona SE (gas) by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Hyundai Kona SE (gas) is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.