BMW iX vs Hyundai Kona Electric
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Hyundai Kona Electric scores higher, 70 vs 69
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
BMW iX
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$142,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 300kW
- Energy use
- 20 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 500L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Hyundai Kona Electric
16 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 not offered · 4 no dataFrom
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 99kW
- Energy use
- 14.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 407L
Top CarSorted Score, 70 vs 69
Hyundai Australia offer: $43,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 31 Dec 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Drive-away
Ends 31 Dec 2026
Offer from Hyundai Australia, checked 8 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the maker prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
Hyundai Kona Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$142,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$46,000RRP
- cannot be matched: 360-Degree Camera, Head-Up Display, Premium Audio and 1 more not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport
$142,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $638 a week in repayments ($142,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range 99kW
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 15 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $190 a week in repayments ($46,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Hyundai Kona Electric starts $96,900 lower on RRP.
The Hyundai Kona Electric currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The BMW iX does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$190/wk(≈$822/mo)
Estimate on the Hyundai Kona Electric at $46,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Hyundai Kona ElectricDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW iX at 5 stars (2021) and the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2021 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the BMW iX and 80% for the Hyundai Kona Electric, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. The BMW iX adds a 360-degree camera that the Hyundai Kona Electric misses.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW iX and 7 on the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW iX
- REC-005560 · published 10 Nov 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery may not meet specifications and could discharge or in some instances lead to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2022
- REC-005503 · published 23 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery does not meet specifications and may result in an electrical short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005490 · published 1 Aug 2022Due to a software issue with the airbag control unit, the airbag warning lamp and warning message may not be illuminated in the instrument cluster as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- 1 more on the model page.
Hyundai Kona Electric
- REC-006586 · published 9 Apr 2026A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause an electrical short circuit while charging or parked leading to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2023
- REC-001592 · published 23 Aug 2021Due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- REC-000605 · published 28 Jan 2021A software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) may significantly reduce braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 1 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
105.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 175kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 175kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
48.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW iX features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Kona Electric gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW iX stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Hyundai Kona Electric counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW iX gets vernasca leather upholstery while the Hyundai Kona Electric offers premium cloth. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW iX and 2-zone in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW iX uses a Electric producing 300kW and 700Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds.
The Hyundai Kona Electric responds with a Electric making 99kW and 255Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The BMW iX has the clear power advantage at 300kW vs 99kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 94.8kWh (BMW iX) vs 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric), giving WLTP ranges of 522km and 370km. DC fast charging peaks at 175kW (BMW iX) vs 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX measures 4,965mm long on a 3,000mm wheelbase, 610mm longer than the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4,355mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW iX generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 500L in the BMW iX and 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric, giving the BMW iX a 93L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Hyundai Kona Electric's turning circle is 2.2 m tighter, 10.6 m against 12.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW iX costs about $960 a year (20 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Hyundai Kona Electric about $710 a year (14.8 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $250 a year less for the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX) and 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Where each one leads
The BMW iX: more power (300kW against 99kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (500L against 407L).
The Hyundai Kona Electric: the lower starting price ($46,000 against $142,900) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($710 a year against $960).
The Verdict
Hyundai Kona Electric scores higher, 70 vs 69
The Hyundai Kona Electric scores 70 to the BMW iX's 69 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (BMW iX ahead by 49 points), energy efficiency (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 35 points), value (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 31 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai Kona Electric costs about $250 less (14.8 kWh/100km against 20 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 500L in the BMW iX, 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$190/wk(≈$822/mo)
Estimate on the Hyundai Kona Electric at $46,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Hyundai Kona ElectricDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW iX and Hyundai Kona Electric?
The Hyundai Kona Electric is the cheapest at $46,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX by $96,900.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW iX has the most range at 522km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW iX accepts the highest DC charging at up to 175kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021) and Hyundai Kona Electric holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2021 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW iX has the largest boot at 500L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW iX has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX makes the most power at 300kW.
Track the BMW iX & Hyundai Kona Electric
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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