In addition to analyzing cars for performance and reliability, Consumer Reports also rates vehicle owner satisfaction. CR member surveys gauge car owners’ perceptions and reactions based on their experiences. So if you’re shopping for a new electric SUV, CR’s owner satisfaction ratings can help you decide which EV to choose. In this category, almost every electric vehicle earned a positive or neutral rating except one: the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric.

Here’s a deeper dive into Consumer Reports owner satisfaction ratings, including why the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is so disappointing.

Here’s what Consumer Reports’ owner satisfaction category covers

When Consumer Reports weighs in with official scores and ratings, portions of those evaluations are based on the CR team’s firsthand road testing. However, to gauge a new model’s predicted owner satisfaction, Consumer Reports’ editors look at owner satisfaction ratings from previous model years.

Ultimately, the surveys ask CR members about their overall ownership experience with a certain model. But there are specifics, too, including how owners would score the driving experience, comfort level, styling, and value. But the big question — and one that should affect your EV-buying decision — is whether owners would buy the same model again.

Unfortunately, the Hyundai Kona Electric didn’t fare well.

Consumer Reports predicts the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric won’t satisfy owners

Among the electric SUVs Consumer Reports has reviewed, only one earned a negative predicted owner satisfaction rating. Almost half of previous Hyundai Kona Electric owners surveyed said they would not buy this electric SUV again. 

But the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric isn’t terrible. In fact, it earns high marks from Consumer Reports for its 258 miles of EPA-rated range, “frisky” driving and handling, and faster acceleration than its gas-powered sibling. But this electric SUV just doesn’t rate well in predicted owner satisfaction.

The owner satisfaction percentages for the Hyundai Kona Electric were the lowest of the dozens of EVs in the running. That means when previous model year owners considered all the factors — including price, reliability, performance, comfort, value, styling, and enjoyment — just over half said they’d want to own a Kona Electric again.

However, there is one caveat to note about these scores. CR points out in its review that the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric’s biggest drawback is its limited availability because it was for sale only in select markets. 

Other new electric SUVs with unimpressive predicted owner satisfaction ratings

Consumer Reports provides a list of EVs where you can see which models you might consider runners-up in predicted owner satisfaction. The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is the only negatively rated electric SUV. But a few other models received mediocre scores. They include the Audi e-tron, Nissan Leaf, and Jaguar I-Pace.

At the other end of the owner satisfaction spectrum are more popular EVs. High percentages of owners say they’d buy these models again. They include the Chevrolet Bolt and the Kia Niro Electric. And the ever-popular Toyota Prius earned high marks from former and existing model owners. 

When it’s time to choose a new EV, it’ll be worth your while to peruse Consumer Reports’ evaluations, including the ratings for predicted owner satisfaction. If most owners say they’d buy the model again, you’ll likely enjoy the vehicle. But your chances of enjoying the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric appear slim.