Episode 233 - 2024 Hyundai Kona EV First Drive!

My thanks to Hyundai Canada for bringing me to Victoria BC for this First Drive Event!
Meet the all-new KONA Electric.
Your favourite EV SUV for the city gets an electrifying new look, as well as an abundance of innovative technology advancements.
Hyundai made the KONA EV to embody the very best that electrified vehicles have to offer. They made it more WAH.
A great mid-life refresh to an all ready capable all-electric model! Well done Hyundai!
DISCLAIMER: Hyundai provided flights, accommodations and meals to all of the Journalists invited to this event.
The EV Revolution Show - Dec 17 2023
As always, I welcome any feedback and questions! Thanks for Watching!
Please subscribe and click the "bell" icon to be automatically notified when a new show is posted
CANADIAN EV INCENTIVE INFORMATION LINK:
tc.canada.ca/en/road-transpor...
Comments and feedback always welcomed:
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: @EVRevShow
Audio Podcast Shows - Website: www.evrevolutionshow.com
Thanks to all my Patreon Supporters; Names at the end of every episode!
My Patreon page (please consider supporting): / evrevolutionshow
My Gear:
Sony PXW-Z90 4K Camcorder
Desview Bestview R7 LCD Monitor
ZGCine 50V V-Mount Battery Pack
SmallRig Base Plate, 15mm Bars, Mounts, etc. for Rigging
GoPro Hero 7 Black
GoPro Hero 7 Grey
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Rode Wireless Go 2 Lav Microphones
Apple iMac 5K 2017
Movavi Video Suite 2023 Software
NOTE: Federal law allow citizens to reproduce, distribute , or exhibit portions of copyrighted material. This is called fair use and is allowed for the purpose of criticism, news reporting, teaching, and parody which doesn't infringe of copyright under 17 USC 107.

[@dalekaechler4872]

I have the 2024 Kona ev and love it. Unfortunately Canada has very poor infrastructure for charging stations. Also Hyundai evs are hard to get. I don’t understand why provinces aren’t pushing for more charging stations. I live in Ontario and to travel to the west coast via a Canada route is almost impossible.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching! The infrastructure is getting better all the time. There is lots of building and improvements on-going. One can drive coast to coast now via Petro Canada and other providers, so it's not impossible. However in some stretches, it can certainly be challenging. Once there is a CCS Combo to NACS adapter that is generally available, this will open up all Tesla Superchargers as well providing true cross-Canada capabilities. Hyundai EVs are hard to get since most Canadian allocations get sent to BC and Quebec, where today the majority of EVs are sold. As they ramp up productions on all EVs, we will see better supply.

[@jeffreywilson3286]

Great video, Ken!

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks!

[@hdtravel1]

Ken - excellent video and fantastic EV - enjoyed this so much - Merry Christmas buddy !!

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback! You too, Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year to you and yours!

[@victorseal9047]

I love my Kona E which I bought in 2019. The only problem with it is the charge port door regularly freezes in our Québec winters, as you said they have now addressed this situation.😊 One point Ken, you reported a charging speed of 85 kWh, according to the Hyundai website it’s 100 KWh which is even better.😊

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. Good to know why they put in heated Charging Port. I was told by engineer 85kW, they looked it up. If it is 100kW, even better. I will have to try a test when I get one next month for a week. Hope I can get it warm enough in the cooler temps to try DCFC.

[@johnnykemenes6992]

Great show buddy and I like that new one 👍 👌

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks 👍

[@ronaldgarrison8478]

Really nice use of on-screen text supporting the spoken dialogue. Other Tubers should learn from it.

[@EVRevolution]

Glad you think so and thanks for watching and for the feedback! I try my best!

[@robertn2951]

Hello Ken, great video. Is this the same platform of the recent Kia Niro?

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. I am not 100% sure as the specs are not exactly the same in size, however they are close so it may be this shared platform. I forget if the new Kia Niro EV has the flat floor?

[@Hiker8886]

When are they going to release them with the NAC connection? Car looks great.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching! Hyundai, Kia, Genesis announced last fall that their EVs will adopt Tesla NACS Charging Port in 2024. Current owners of CCS-equipped Hyundai Motor Group EVs will gain Supercharger compatibility later via an adapter. So I would suspect that vehicles coming into North America in later Q3 or Q4 will be so equipped.

[@TassieEV]

Geez Ken...luxury launch at the Empress!! :) Is that EPA range on the 19" or 17" tires? DCFC I think is wrong as the European testers have already found it's 103kW peak on DC, you need to test it yourself to find out seems odd it wouldn't be same for Canada. Charge port works to -30c as well with the heating which for Canada is awesome. Nice a roundabout as well. Sure it's not HDA 2.0? Didn't notice the HUD in the Ultimate you were driving do they not offer it in Canada?? Not sure those rims though, glad Australia isn't getting those rims unfortunate for Canadian owners.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching! Yes it was, I can't complain at all they were very nice to us journalists! EPA is base on 17-inch tires, only ones offered I am told for Canada market. Unless I missed something. Yes I will have to try testing DCFC, as I asked their tech guy and was told 85kW. I had heard over 100kW so that is why I checked. Will have to see what I can get. Yes sure it is HDA 1.0. I asked again and that is what they told me. No auto lane change when I tried with ACC/LKA activated when I drove it. Yes HUD is option, it was on our car but I did not capture it on camera very long.

[@BatteryOnBoard]

An AWD version of this would cannibalize IONIC sales I suppose.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching! Yes most likely and really, don't need AWD for this size of vehicle. I've been driving for over 44 years and up until 3 years ago, I've never ever owned an AWD vehicle. And I've personally owned over 30 vehicles in my lifetime (so far) and never had problems winter driving. I live in Ontario, Canada around Toronto area. I used to live in London, ON as well and I drive all over southern Ontario (yes even in the winters) and never had a problem. FWD and RWD vehicles, no issues. You just need to have a good set of Winter Tires on, and understand the capabilities of the vehicle in snow/ice conditions AND understand how to drive within these conditions. This combination is the key to safe winter driving.

[@BatteryOnBoard]

@@EVRevolution I'm in Kingston. AWD is as much a necessity here as a block heater in an ICE car. High profile tires help too of the potholes.

[@SasquatchMelee]

Ok Hyundai. Now bring back a small hatch like the classic Ioniq. Base it on 800V architecture, 58kWh battery, heat pump and sub C$45,000. No need for 150+kW (200+hp) motor. Keep it at 100kW, 190Nm torque. Heat up all sensors, cameras and radars (they always fail in case of small winter precipitations).

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching.

[@iangardner2311]

Would like insight on changes from European version. Which includes power lift gate, 120v plug, and 40,20,40 back seat. Giving room for hockey stick.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. I guess it is a decision any OEM makes on what features are more wanted in regions versus others. I think Hyundai N.A. wanted to keep the pricing down as much as possible, close to the current Kona EV, but yet adding more value. So some features don't make the list.

[@dougabbott8261]

That is one nice looking vehicle and price is great. I think they will sell good numbers of them. Did you happen to see the story regarding the Ioniq 5 that received some battery damage so they scrapped the 1 year old vehicle because the battery replacement was about $60 000 . Horrible. Thanks Ken.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. Yes I did and I commented on it on a video site. Horrible sounding yes, but the owner should have done things differently by engaging the HQ right away after the dealer failed. This is still very much a new business for dealers and they don't always get it right.

[@dougabbott8261]

9 955 comments. This has really hit a nerve. What a mess. I think the ball was dropped by a number of people . Thx Ken@@EVRevolution

[@djscandela]

Thanks Ken for bringing out your review. I was able to test the preferred model a week back & my friend is buying three ultimate trim for pickup today, unless they delay him again. I like that they brought the I-pedal & snow mode to the 24 but dropped the heated rear seats the model that was here for Fully Charged & dropped the V2L for the Cdn market and dropped the power hatch ( low Cdn $ compared to the Won ). The upside is far better than existing model. I would love to ask why they can’t incorporate some of the features to existing models with what appears to be nothing more than a software update. If Hyundai Canada read this or you have your connection? Please add I-pedal & manual pre-conditioning to existing Kona /Niro’s. I’d pay a dealer $100.00 for them to add the software, (as it’s the tech’s time that would be the real cost) as they are not allowed to do over the air updates I believe. Look forward to your in depth video this January. Merry Christmas Ken. Dave with VEVA.ca

[@EVRevolution]

Hello Dave, thanks for watching and for all the info. That's great on the orders! They way OEMs package things are dependant on the price point they are trying to get to and profitability. So to answer what is avail on one model year versus another is this. It's what they feel consumers want (what feedback they get) and if they can do it at a certain price point. So I don't have any answers to your why features statements. I don't know if I-Pedal can be activated simply with a software update or not, nor the preconditioning. Some of these features may be hardware dependant. I can ask and if I get a response, will update in these comments. I'll pin the post.

[@djscandela]

@@EVRevolution That would be really great as we can never get access to those higher up with real answers. Cheers Dave

[@eriktoupal8437]

Mohu nabíjet 230V 10-12A? 16h?

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. I am not sure what you are asking, but the L2 charging has been upgraded to support up to 11kW AC240V of pull. This would be on a 48amp circuit. This would equate to a 0-100% AC L2 11kW charge to take about 6-8 hours.

[@romanjamm]

I realize it's basically the same company, but how would you compare this to the Niro EV with respect to ride quality? Ty!

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching! The new Kona EV is larger and very close in size to the Niro EV, and shares many components so it is safe to compare.

[@BenDiscoe]

I'm in the USA and did a long comparison between the Niro and Kona EVs, they are really sister cars, same specs for battery and motor, same size, same features, similar driving experience, similar price. Ultimately I bought a Kona, which came down to a friendlier local dealer, and a slightly longer warranty.

[@johnfruh]

Hi, Ken. This comment/question is slightly off topic but EV relevant. Do you recall your comments about the Cybertruck back in 2019? As I recall, you faulted Tesla for its radical design and said that it would not sell as a consequence. Well, now that the Cybertruck has launched, I'd like to know your take on it now. So, Ken, what say you on the viability of the CT over the next few years?

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for the questions. I did not say it would not sell, what I stated was that if Tesla really wanted to sell these into the mainstream working fields, a unibody truck was not the way to go. Body on frame, no matter how ancient this method may be, works for the versatility that a pickup truck can be built and used for. The CT simply will not be able to offer as many needs as a "normal" pickup truck. Sure one can bolt on many attachments, etc. to get more use cases. However, the design (not looks but build) is on one hand radical and future-leading, yet on the other hand offers less functionality than the traditional builds. So that is what I meant. They missed an opportunity to go into the serious working class market. Sure they will sell a few million over this decade, no doubt. And many will be trades, fleets, etc. But won't compare to the standard. Remember that Ford alone, sells almost a million F150's globally a year, and has done this for a long long time. Add in the other variants (F250, F350, etc.) and they are still world leaders no matter what. The simple fact that body on frame can offer more use, is king.

[@johnfruh]

@@EVRevolution Thanks, Ken. So, are you saying that the CT, despite its load and towing capabilities, cannot/will not outperform a body on frame constructed truck? Are you saying that it will not ever be a mainstream "work" truck?

[@johnfruh]

@@EVRevolution Well, Ken, I've just reviewed your initial post on the CT and you had said that Tesla would sell a few tens of thousands of trucks, suggesting that it would be a failure. . But now you say "Sure they will sell a few million". That's a bit of a difference I'd say. How is it that you say that the CT has less functionality than a traditional pickup truck?

[@EVRevolution]

@johnfruh I am NOT saying anything about performance. I am talking about usability. You can make a body on frame into almost anything: a welding truck, EMS responder, flatbed, etc. The use cases are almost endless. Cannot achieve the same with a unibody. Yes, I am saying that I don't believe the CT to be a mainstream work truck. However, I would love it to be so that it would replace ICEV pickups! So don't kid yourself.

[@EVRevolution]

@johnfruh Ok, so my initial estimate of sales was low. Give me a break, you try to do what I do and see how it goes! Your questions have been asked and answered and this comment trail ends. I believe I've made my point. Hey, if the CT becomes the main work truck then great. I made my point on my initial review episode. You have nothing better to do than harass me on this subject? No one is perfect.

[@chris55top]

Big fail on the charging. Should of been on the 800v system and at least 250k charging.

[@EVRevolution]

Thanks for watching. Then the pricing would be $10k higher. No you are wrong, not everyone needs that fast charging. Many charge at home and use BEVs as commuter/secondary vehicles. For longer road trips they take gas car. Tell me what subdivision you see with only 1 car for the household? Hardly any, most have 2 or more vehicles. So you are totally wrong. We need more affordability and this offers it.

[@h8rry]

EV are overpriced not affordable. They should bring more affordable Chinese EV here.

[@johnfruh]

BYD is coming. Wait for it.

[@h8rry]

@@johnfruh Geely, Nio, and more. They cost half compared to Korea EV.

[@EVRevolution]

@h8arry Thanks for watching. Average 2-4 ROI for getting your money back on what you pay more for in a BEV vs. ICEV. Then you are saving money, at least $2K-$4K on average per year. How is that not affordable? Please understand the reality and stop FUD.

[@EVRevolution]

@johnfruh Thanks for watching, yes they will get here eventually.