Episode 236 - 2024 Hyundai Kona EV 2nd Look! The Best Economical All-Electric!

[@EVRevolution]

Feb 6 2024 - UPDATE: Ok I've done some more looking around and I see in Korea a person hit between 70-75kW on a Fast Charger. Byorn did a good comparison video and his new Kona EV did peak at 100kW for a short time and charged much better than the previous generation Kona EV. I am not sure if North America is limited somehow, but seems in Europe and possibly Asia regions, the Kona EV can hit the 100kW max stated pull. I can't seem to find any North American examples of anything past the 70-ish kW charging pull, so if you see anything, please email me. Jan 2024 - DC Fast Charging Update: I've had a few folks comment on the DCFC rate for the 2024 refreshed Kona EV as being over 100kW. Examples are out there of 101kW and 103kW pulls, but these are in Europe. I have yet to see or hear about this BEV performing this rate in North America. I was told by Hyundai engineer in December that the max was 80kW, hence why I report this figure. If anyone finds an example in North America of someone getting more than 80kW on a DCFC, please email me so I can update this Pinned Comment. This makes a good difference for road tripping so would be nice to find out. Also as @TassieEV has corrected me on, electricity doesn't slow down in the cold, it is always at the speed of light. The only thing is resistance goes up, but that is wiring and batteries (if battery isn't preconditioned).

[@timlamb650]

Product guide published September 2023, from my St Catharines dealership, states 80% Level 3 - 100 kWh

[@EVRevolution]

@timlamb650 Thanks. Ok I've done some more looking around and I see in Korea a person hit between 70-75kW on a Fast Charger. Byorn did a good comparison video and his new Kona EV did peak at 100kW for a short time and charged much better than the previous generation Kona EV. I am not sure if North America is limited somehow, but seems in Europe and possibly Asia regions, the Kona EV can hit the 100kW max stated pull. I can't seem to find any North American examples of anything past the 70-ish kW charging pull, so if you see anything, please email me.

[@timlamb650]

I'm expecting my preffered by the end of March, so I will see for myself how well it performs at a fast charger.

[@PeaceChanel]

Thank You for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮ ❤

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching!

[@spearmap]

Great review Ken, I bought one of these in late December. First one at the dealership on Vancouver Island. A few things. The fast chargers rate is 101 kw according to the documentation. Regardless to 80% will be at least 40-45 minutes. The auto regen is brilliant. Just hold the right paddle shifter for 2 seconds and the ‘auto’ will appear at the bottom right of the screen. It uses the radar to adjust the regen level. When you are using the adaptive cruise control, Press the bottom right button on the left steering wheel spoke. The car will then steer itself. Driving this is smooth and effortless I’m very happy with my decision. BTW how are the Michelin X ice for noise level?

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and congrats! Hyundai engineer told me 80kW DCFC max, but I did hear in Europe of 100kW. If you get over 80kW, please let me know. Thank for auto info. I used it on the previous tester, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, and did not like it. Was too jerky in its deceleration and acceleration. So got turned off and did not try it on the Kona EV, thanks for letting me know your experience. I answered you Michelin XICE Snow question in follow up email, but for all to see, they are very good and noise is surprisingly low. I run them on both our BEVs.

[@BenoitLarue-w2w]

What about the snow mode ? Is it efficient ? Thanks

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. I did not try it so could not comment.

[@dougabbott8261]

Great looking EV and the price is very good. I think this is what the market needs. We will see.Thx Ken.

[@EVRevolution]

I agree and thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@srikanthnarayanan]

Regarding the interior: did you have trouble seeing the white letters on the silver buttons? It seems like there is not enough contrast between the two and they wash out in the video. What was it like for you? Do these buttons light up at night?

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching! I don't recall any issues in seeing the buttons.

[@irenecheca6575]

they do light up

[@SimonSedgwick]

There's still a place for physical, push-button controls. I really like the fact that they've done that for accessing key features. Really good to hear how it performed in the cold too.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and appreciate your feedback!

[@MrSammotube]

Does it not have the Snow mode in Canada?

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching! Did not see Snow Mode, but with AWD and traction control, should work fine with a good set of snow tires too!

[@paulh4699]

Is the driver’s arm rest hard plastic or padded? Thanks. Really appreciate your reviews.

[@EVRevolution]

Hi, thanks for watching. Sorry I don't remember, it's been awhile.

[@irenecheca6575]

On the left side -door- it is padded on the limited/ultimate trim, not in the others. The central one it is padded, but on the small size

[@johnnykemenes6992]

Great show buddy and I really like the Kona ev suv and fun to drive it and very quiet ride and lots of room and much better than last years model.

[@EVRevolution]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks!

[@jamesdubben3687]

Thanks Ken, keep warm.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and yes will do!

[@tysonb1486]

Great advice explaining what you need for winter range to the EV curious buyers.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and appreciate the feedback!

[@bobstevenson4396]

Your previous review 233 stated it came with Wireless Apple CarPlay, can you please confirm that is correct for Canada? If so, it is time to upgrade our 2019 Kia Niro EV!

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching! Yes, Wireless CarPlay has arrived on the 2024 Kona SEL w/ Convenience pkg and Nav. Find a demo car and try it out first to make sure it works ok. I've heard reports of slow/lag on other vehicles.

[@irenecheca6575]

Do you know if the us version has the charging port heater as well?

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. Sorry not sure, you will need to check with Hyundai.

[@irenecheca6575]

@@EVRevolution I did, but they did not know at dealership, pretty ignorant about the car. I found out it does not unfortunately, neither heat pump.

[@TassieEV]

Always like your reviews. Only observations the car has a peak charge rate as proven by Bjorn in Norway and Chris in Germany(Battery LIfe) is 103kW. Also electricity doesn't slow down it is always the speed of light the only thing is resistance goes up but that is wiring and batteries(if battery isn't preconditioned but the Kona can do preconditioning). I'll be leasing one through my work which has a benefit for staff to lease a car and they take the payments as pre-tax payments thereby reducing taxable income overall.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and appreciate the feedback! I knew someone was going to correct me on my battery flow analogy, no problem thanks! I had heard about 100kW in Europe, but not in North America yet as when I asked Hyundai last month, they told me 80kW hence why I have reported that. If you find someone in North America that has passed an 80kW DCFC charge, please email me. Until that, I have to stick with the info I have. It's not uncommon for a vehicle model going to different regions that can have different specs.

[@TassieEV]

@@EVRevolution Interestingly it's advertised as 100kW DC here in Australia would seem weird to not have it the same in Canada/US. Why not test it, drive it down to about 10% ensuring you pre-condition the battery as it's winter or navigate to a fast charger that is 100kW+ so it can pre-condition that way as well see what you get? I'd test it in summer again as well in 25c temps.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Excellent 👍

[@EVRevolution]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ndi5670]

What about the SE trim? All I see reviewed is upper trims. The SE is a more realistic affordable entry point EV.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. You are correct, this is the upper trim reviewed. Usually OEMs provide the top spec/trim vehicle for reviews so I have not been in a different trim.

[@karankenZ]

I have the SE. At 80% it has 154 miles range. It doesn't have heated seats and no power lift gate. Ask me if you have any questions. It is very smooth and fast to drive due to lower weight of batteries. It is also a lot more efficient imo.

[@annamariebohus4817]

😊 Thanks for a nice, indepth review of this good car.

[@EVRevolution]

Glad you liked it!

[@thegrizz9994]

AT 32:39 the numbers were 133km remaining 43% battery at -8c....133 divided 43 multiplied by 100 = 309.3 km ..pretty good range for that temp.. getting 450 range here in Ireland at 8/10*c city driving..hoping for 550 come the spring..damn fine EV..last car was an eC4..this is another level.. ride aint as good ..efficiency bout the same..but this is a true EV with many bells n whistles teh Citroen did not have..HEAT PUMP!!

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and yes, still was doing pretty good! Love Ireland and it's on our bucket list to visit one day! All the best and thanks for your comments!

[@annamariebohus4817]

Nice review, Ken !!

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks! 👍

[@paulh4699]

Also - can you de-activate some of the annoying bings?

[@EVRevolution]

Not sure.

[@jeffreywilson3286]

Nice review, Ken!

[@EVRevolution]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Reddylion]

Good ev.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks!

[@gr1mgr1n]

2024 adds battery preconditioning

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and yes it does.

[@petekraemer2538]

We have a 2022 Hyundai Ionic 5 that we have driven for almost one year. Recently I realized that the car could not charge AC. I halts all attempts to charge level 1 or 2. I will charge DC (level 3) fine. I have been to my Hyundai dealer three times with no solution; they are waiting to hear back from engineering. Have you heard of other similar cases? The issue is with the car, not any outside factors.

[@EVRevolution]

Hello and thanks for watching my shows, and for this info. I've not heard of this, however if you email me at [e-mail], and send me a summary of your issue and what you've done to date with the dealer, and what they have done for you. Then I can take this higher up the food chain at Hyundai Corporate as I have some good contacts there. Maybe I can find an engineer as well. - Ken

[@ianameline8111]

The DAW (Driver Attention Warning) system is horrible, irritating and actively distracting (often when you can least afford to be distracted). And it cannot be turned off. (Yes, I have gone to the dealer and they confirmed that it cannot be turned off and that it is working as designed). On winding roads or in fog or a snow-storm, it will beep loudly at you every 4 minutes. Other than this anti-feature, it is a fantastic vehicle.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. I had no such trouble with the DAW.

[@irenecheca6575]

I think that is a Europe/UK thing, it is a lot less intrusive in the US, and most things can be turn off

[@SonicCommenter]

I've been thinking about buying this car. I took it for a test drive and I did find the EV version to be much smoother and quieter ride than the gas version, which I also took out. I am having reservations going through with it, because EV adoption seems to be slowing down and I'm concerned that it will be completely killed if the Cons get elected federally. The EV tax credit is definitely going to be eliminated, along with the carbon tax, IMO, because they are low hanging fruit that will appeal to their simple-minded base. I'm worried that EVs will become unsellable, untradeable paperweights if the Cons get into power. I've also been watching quite a bit about the public charger fiasco in the United States. Not being able to use the most reliable charging system, Tesla Superchargers, is a negative for the car. The electrify America and Flo chargers down there seem to be constantly de-rated or broken. I'm concerned that the same conditions are plaguing the chargers of their Canadian arms. Also, I'm curious if more people lease these EVs than purchase them. I've been thinking about switching to a three year lease from an outright purchase, even though it means less of a rebate up front.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and appreciate your great questions. Rather than type a long response, I would rather have a conversation to provide my thoughts. Please email me at [e-mail] and we can set up a time to chat. I don't sell anything nor do I promote any single brand. I am for honest and educated EV adoption and you raise some valid points, however some need grounding. Looking forward to chatting.

[@h8rry]

Sticker shock price compared to Kona gas one. Regular gas under $30k, Electric almost $50k. Cold weather lately all EV frozen dead.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. Not true, all EV frozen dead. I just went thru -30C and no issues other than range drops. Stop the FUD. Yes, pricing is $10K higher (don't forget you get $5K Fed off Canada wide, so for Limited would come in at about $50K tax in, and more if in Provinces that offer incentives: example Quebec, add $8K off so Limited would cost about $42K tax in. So about $10k-$12K more than ICEV). Take fuel savings of $3,500 to $4,000 per year based on 18,000kms per year, and ROI to recoup higher upfront cost is 3-4 years. Then you are saving big time. So again, look at the numbers and keep it real.

[@h8rry]

Gas fill up 5 minutes, compared hours on EV, Charging anxiety that most Charging Stations not working. I'm sticking on my PHEV Chevy Volt not EV.

[@timlamb650]

Haven't spent 1 second filling up with gas since I bought my EV. Don't forget to include the time you took driving to the gas station.@@h8rry

[@BenDiscoe]

FWIW I just paid $33k for a Kona Electric SEL (in Kona, Hawaii, USA) which is a GREAT deal