Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) cost to own in Virginia — the true 5-year total
The Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) starts at $36,875. As of July 1, 2026, over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about $50,375 in Virginia — $840/month, $0.84/mile — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% AC charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and fees. That's $10,419 more than a comparable Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) over the same 5 years. Virginia's electricity (17.4¢/kWh) is 8% below the U.S. average, and gas runs $3.70/gal here — both fed straight into the numbers above. The federal $7,500 EV credit expired Sept 30, 2025 and is not applied.
Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) · Virginia · 5-year estimate$50,375 total · $840/mo · $0.84/mi
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Hyundai Kona Electric SEL | Gas · Toyota RAV4 LE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $21,314 (42%) | $10,800 (27%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,467 (9%) | $7,404 (19%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$536) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (7%) | $5,520 (14%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (27%) | $11,000 (28%) |
| Financing interest | $6,371 (13%) | $5,078 (13%) |
| Registration & fees | $813 (2%) | $154 (0%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $50,375 | $39,956 |
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.
Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) specs & assumptions
- Starting MSRP
- $36,875manufacturer base
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 29 kWh/100miEPA
- Range
- 261 miEPA
- Virginia electricity
- 17.4¢/kWhEIA
- Annual miles (assumed)
- 12,000adjustable in tool
Compare the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) against any car, your miles & your state
What else moves your Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) cost
The 5-year total already folds in depreciation, charging, insurance, maintenance and financing. Here's how the biggest levers work — and the ones that sit outside the total.
- Financing. Borrow the full $36,875 at a typical 7.2% new-car APR over 60 months and interest alone adds about $7,144. Lower the APR or add a down payment in the calculator and the total drops — financing is in the 5-year figure above.
- Insurance. This model averages about $2,750/yr to insure — roughly $550/yr more than a comparable gas car ($2,200/yr), as EV parts and repairs tend to cost more — our own estimate, calibrated to Insurify/Bankrate 2026, and already in the total above.
- Home charger. A Level 2 home charger is a one-time $500–$2,000 installed (depends on your panel and wiring) — not in the total above, but it pays back fast versus public fast-charging.
- Tires. EVs are heavier and make instant torque, so tires can wear ~20% faster — a real running cost most comparisons skip. We fold a higher maintenance rate for EVs into the total.
- Where you charge. Public DC fast-charging can cost 2–3× your home rate. The total assumes 80% home charging; if you can't charge at home, lower that share in the calculator to see the real cost.
Cost to charge the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) at home
A full charge of the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) costs about $13, and it runs about $5.73 per 100 mi at home — versus about $12.34 for a typical 30 mpg gas car. Home charging only (the ~12% AC charging loss is included); public DC fast-charging is billed per session by each network — often 2–3× the home rate — and isn't in these figures.
- Full charge (64.8 kWh usable)
- $13pack ÷ (1 − 12% loss) × $0.17/kWh
- Per 100 mi at home
- $5.7329 kWh/100mi + 12% charging loss × $0.17/kWh
- A typical 30 mpg gas car
- $12.34/100miat $3.70/gal — for comparison
Recalls & reliability record — Kona
Official U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety record for the Kona, MY 2019–2025. Figures cover all powertrains and trims sold under the Kona nameplate for the model years shown. A recall means a free remedy is available at no cost. Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov), data as of .
Recalls (6)
- Engine And Engine Cooling
Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge.
- Electrical System
Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge.
- Seat Belts
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractor as necessary, free of charge.
- Power Train
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
Park outside, away from structures, until repaired — NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory.
- Engine
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge.
- Equipment
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct GAWR over the affected areas of the certification label, free of charge.
Full recall history: every Kona campaign →
Consumer complaints
NHTSA has 670 consumer complaints on file for the Kona (MY 2019–2025). The most-reported areas: Engine, Electrical System, Power Train. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA.
Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) head-to-head comparisons
The 5-year cost gap against the cars buyers cross-shop:
← Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range) cost (U.S. average)