Hyundai launches ‘Rest Drives’ of the KONA Electric to help families find a calmer way to do nap times

Hyundai is introducing ‘Rest Drives’, a new initiative offering 24-hour test drives of the KONA Electric, created with families in mind. These extended drives allow motorists to experience the EV in real-life situations, from hectic school runs to peaceful late-night journeys designed to help little ones drift off to sleep.

To make the experience even more family-friendly, selected retailers will also offer a ‘Rest Drives’ baby box. Packed with practical comforts, including a soft Jellycat toy, cosy travel blanket, engaging baby book, and healthy snacks, each item has been carefully chosen to help keep children calm, content, and rested on the road.

New research commissioned by Hyundai Motor UK revealed that 73% of parents admit to doing laps in the car just to get their kids to sleep. For the average British parent, that adds up to nine hours a month behind the wheel — all in the name of bedtime. The findings also highlight a broader challenge, with 95% of parents saying they struggle to get their kids to sleep at night.

Sitting in traffic (42%), engine noise (41%), and frequent petrol stops (36%) top the list of parent frustrations when trying to get a child to nod off. Then there’s also the dilemma of whether to wake a sleeping child just to pay for fuel (28%), the guilt of wasting petrol while idling (26%), and the sheer drain of spending hours behind the wheel (21%).

Parents say that a smooth ride (65%), steady temperature (62%) and lots of fresh air (61%) in the car help their little ones nod off more easily but even the smallest hiccup can ruin it all, as 47% say their baby wakes up the moment the engine stops. Therefore, when it comes to buying a family car, parents are prioritising the features of an electric vehicle due to the smooth acceleration (55%), whisper quiet engines (48%), ambient lighting (37%) and eco-friendliness (29%).

Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai Motor & Genesis UK, said: “Our wide EV range is designed to fit seamlessly into family life, and with the Hyundai Electric Grant offering up to £3,750 off a new Hyundai EV, switching has never been more affordable. The KONA Electric, with its whisper-quiet powertrain and refined driving experience, is the perfect partner for everything from school runs to nap-time drives, and through our ‘Rest Drives’ initiative parents can experience its calming, family-friendly benefits first-hand.”

To raise awareness of ‘Rest Drives’ Hyundai has teamed up with Olympic gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington OBE, who’s reflected on their own experience battling bedtime routines: “Neither of my children were good sleepers as babies, but they’d always drift off in the car, which made getting out and about so much easier. That’s why I know just how important it is to have a car that feels calm, smooth, and reliable. I’m always looking for ways to be more sustainable and because we travel by car as a family quite a lot, having a reliable EV, which is quiet, comfortable, and gives the kids the perfect space to relax and nap, really makes a difference. It takes the stress out of nap time drives and helps me feel good about how we’re travelling too.”

Hyundai has also partnered with award-winning parenting expert and consultant, Heidi Skudder, who has created a 10-step guide to mastering one of the ultimate parenting challenges: moving a sleeping baby from car to cot without waking them.

The Hyundai KONA Electric offers an impressive 319-mile (WLTP) range and rapid charging capability, making longer journeys effortless. Its spacious cabin is equipped with advanced safety features and seamless connectivity, including wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, ensuring it’s ready for everything from the school run to nap-time drives. Alongside the KONA Electric, Hyundai offers one of the broadest electric vehicle ranges available, from the new INSTER to the bold IONIQ 5, high-performance IONIQ 5 N, and streamlined IONIQ 6. At the top of the line-up, the flagship IONIQ 9 delivers three rows of luxury and up to 385 miles of range, meaning there’s a Hyundai EV to suit every driver and every journey.

The KONA Electric extended test drive offer is open to all parents and available at the participating retailers, below, until 31^st October 2025.

Marshall – Gatwick
Berry Chiswick
Vertu – Banbury
Evans Halshaw – Milton Keynes
Howards – Taunton
Paul Rigby Stratford upon Avon
Wessex Cardiff
Read – Burton
West Riding – Manchester
Drive Hyundai – York
Vertu Edinburgh West
Vertu Nottingham
Vertu Bristol
Arnold Clark Glasgow

Full terms and conditions apply and can be found at: https://www.hyundai.com/uk/en/rest-drive.html