Is the Hyundai Kona EV Better Than the Nissan Leaf And a Trip the the Middle of Wales, well almost.

[@Brian-om2hh]

Grouch, the latest pearl of wisdom from the Daily Telegraph (on MSN) states that it would typically cost £148 to travel from London to Penzance in an EV at 3.3 miles per kw, but a lot less in a diesel car, using £89 worth of petrol (yes, that's genuinely what they printed ). The Daily Telegraph completely misses the fact that the EV owner would cover the first part of the journey using the charge they got at home, prior to beginning the trip at probably less than 3p per mile.....or the fact that once the trip was over, the EV owner would then probably revert to charging at home most of the time, at *considerably* less cost than buying petrol. ICE drivers don't have a "top up at home for a 6th of the cost" option.....

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@Brian-om2hh The daily fail strikes again 👍

[@michaelgoode9555]

If the MacNutter had done this he would have set off with less than 10% in the battery and failed to reach the charger. Alternatively, he would have reached the charger but parked so badly that the cable wouldn't reach the charge port. Or, he would have reached the charger, just but then found that he couldn't pay for electricity as he'd left his wallet at home so couldn't buy fuel. Or some other completely contrived and ridiculous fail. Lovely scenery. I have mostly visited north Wales but you have whetted my appetite for a bit of a south Wales EV adventure.

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@michaelgoode9555 that's sound like a correct assessment of his shenanigans 👍

[@Brian-om2hh]

He once parked at Tebay services, and his video showed several of the chargers in the background not being used. He then said (on the video) that he would go and get some breakfast first, and charge up later. It was later pointed out to him that he could have put the car on charge *BEFORE* he went for breakfast. He didn't reply to the comment.....

[@arekfpv3631]

Ther is a new software and a map update released just a month ago. You can get it from the Hyundai webside and upload it to your usb dongle and install in the car. It's very simple. The installation can take around 20 minutes.

[@grouchthatbarx]

Awesome, will take a look 👍👍

[@barryrathbone]

The update is easy I could do it!

[@gbatty4691]

Thanks I’ll take a look at that 👍 I turned on utility mode to upload to the car so that the car wouldn’t shut off during upload, was I being over cautious or is that the right way to do it?

[@arekfpv3631]

@@gbatty4691 it's anough if the car is fully turned on( ready to drive state) so the HV battery is in operation to not drain the 12v battery.

[@richardhaywoodh]

​@@gbatty4691there is an option fir the car to do the update from the USB stick 'when vehicle turned off' so you just turn the car off and lock it up and hopefully come back an hour or later and it's completed...

[@edenviews]

Enjoyable little trip and entertained by your interesting commentary. The car you fixed is really excellent. Great range on those and look really modern, unlike how I feel about the Leafs. You did yourself proud. More of these trips please😁😁😁😎

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@edenviews Thanks 👍👍

[@gbatty4691]

Glad your happy you kept the Kona, and it’s driving well, I have to keep reminding myself how much quieter my Kona is from my last car even though that was the quietest car I’d ever owned, still wishing I could afford an EV6 though 😊

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@gbatty4691 👍👍

[@richardhaywoodh]

When we looked at the EV6 it was way too big for our needs, difficult to park in supermarket spaces and the black headlining and high waist line made the back seats feel very claustrophobic

[@gbatty4691]

@@richardhaywoodh thanks for the info, maybe the new EV3 will be more appropriate, I’m gonna have a test drive when there’s one available 👍

[@brianc5788]

Lived in Brynmawr, worked in Ebbwvale blast furnaces! Many years ago👍👍😂😂 I have been driving a Kona EV for 3 years!! The latest update was in August.

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@brianc5788 👍👍

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

The 470 to Merthyr is lovely even in winter

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@bernardcharlesworth9860 👍👍

[@Jaw0lf]

Nice one Grouch. My previous EV an E Niro was also relatively loud on the road but a great car 270 in summer and 220 in winter.

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@Jaw0lf 👍👍

[@garage6346]

The user experience of these Swarco chargers is improvable to say the least.

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@garage6346 👍👍

[@PaulCunningham-sf5pu]

I love the Nissan leaf and the black thing is your rain sensor for the wipers and light sensor as well

[@grouchthatbarx]

👍👍

[@grouchthatbarx]

It also has a camera for the forward sensing malarkey.

[@decimal1815]

Nice to see a bit of Wales. Not many EV videos that tour Wales.

[@grouchthatbarx]

👍👍

[@stever656]

I have same 70 plate Kona in Orange great car done 50,000 miles in it no problem on long drives bit of a slow charge by nowdays standard but the range means it charges when you stop. It goes back next month as we only need one car and i bought Tesla M3 and that is a lot quieter but i found my Kona pretty good for noise but i come from a petrol car so that was noisy

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@stever656 👍👍

[@maesygwartha]

You passed us at around 10.39 just before you came off the A465 in Gilwern. I will look out for you in future 👍. Keep up the good work. You are always welcome to drop in for a charge.

[@grouchthatbarx]

Thanks 👍👍

[@jeffg9706]

My Leaf is the 2022 62kWh e+N connecta version and I don't know if it makes a difference but it doesn't wallow as you described yours did, Glad you're happy with the Cona and hope it goes well for you, but I prefer the quiet and the look of the Leaf, The sat navigation system on the Leaf is still dated though.

[@grouchthatbarx]

I didn't think the leaf wallowed that much, it was just in comparison to the Kona. Just because I prefer the Kona doesn't mean I didn't like the leaf and I still think the leaf is a great car 👍

[@richardhaywoodh]

We have the 2021 facelift 39kWh KONA which come with the lattest Michelin Primacy 4s actually increased the WLTP figures, we would not say it was noisy about same as our KIA E-niro

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@richardhaywoodh 👍👍

[@stevewest131]

Top waffling Grouch!

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@stevewest131 👍👍

[@PaulCunningham-sf5pu]

Perfect view keep it there mate

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@PaulCunningham-sf5pu 👍👍

[@AndrewKNI]

I drive a 2018 Tucson and I'm sure that there is more road/tyre noise than in my previous VW's. I even put new tyres on it and it only made a small improvement. Think that's just the way they are.

[@grouchthatbarx]

👍👍

[@pdecaux]

FitCamX sell a dashcam that replaces the rear view mirror housing

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@pdecaux I had one sent to me to review but it only fits left hand drive models. They said they don't do a right hand drive version.

[@pdecaux]

@grouchthatbarx , that's frustrating. I have fitted on to my RH drive EX30 so maybe they have updated their range?

[@pdecaux]

You are right, they still only do LH version for your model year.

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@pdecaux 👍👍

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

Nice village shame you didn't get to the bridge in telgarth. It has a flour mill and cafe

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@bernardcharlesworth9860 I should have explored more 👍

[@oliver90owner]

I’m at 41 seconds. Before I even watch the rest, it MUST be the Kona!

[@grouchthatbarx]

👍👍

[@oliver90owner]

Grouch, did you check the tracking? It might be off a bit after the shunt and making more noise. I always check how the ‘nibs’ on the tyre treads wear after a (very) few miles after fitting. Front tyres perhaps more noisy? I was happy enough when I had a drive in a Kona - less than an hour - and am quite happy with the noise in my I-5 - even though there is a motor at both ends.

[@grouchthatbarx]

I can usually feel when the tracking is off and this one feels bob on 👍

[@barryrathbone]

I live in Liverpool and have more chargers than you could ever need however my family is in Tywyn and charging is dire. I always do a mid way wee at Rhug farm InstaVolt! I’m sorry but as a 61 year old I definitely get bladder anxiety!

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@barryrathbone 👍👍

[@brianevans8127]

The range of the car is less important than the range of the driver. Pick your rest point as your charge point and relax. Cheers But and keep waffling.😊

[@alistairlambert3275]

I can’t get enough of this friendly Welsh Windbag.

[@grouchthatbarx]

😀👍👍

[@grouchthatbarx]

👍👍

[@oliver90owner]

Brian, agreed about the driver range, but always better to be able to cover the whole round trip without needing to charge at an expensive public charger. Charging at home is even better/cheaper than the best (Tesla) rates, if possible - no waiting involved.

[@rodden1953]

ive had 2 in 5 yrs and i agree that the Nav and noise are bad But the range is fantastic and the GOM is really accurate. im happy with it , What settings did you have the regen on ? i keep mine on high all the time and in Eco . nice video.

[@grouchthatbarx]

I have it on full regen most of the time but do take it off in certain circumstances, oh and I drive in normal mode. 👍 And the GOM was extremely accurate.

[@rodden1953]

@@grouchthatbarx i think you should keep it for a while. nice cars

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@rodden1953 👍

[@peterball8241]

I've just had a few days in New Quay with my MG5. didn't use any rapid chargers, just 7kW fast chargers at Machynlleth (fish and chips), Aberystwyth (ride on the Vale of Rheidol Railway) and New Quay (pub grub).

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@peterball8241 👍👍

[@markbennett6658]

There are fast chargers 50kw in Machynlleth (in car park off Heol Maengwyn) and Aberystwyth (National Library). They also have them in Newtown and Welshpool . They’ve recently put 7kw on the sea front at Aberdyfi and have both sorts at Barmouth, although they weren’t commissioned last time I looked!

[@peterball8241]

@@markbennett6658 I couldn't get the Rapids to work at Machynlleth but was at 75% so just had a top up on the 7kW. The Rapids at Aberystwyth were my backup plan, but I was there long enough to get to 100% on the 7kW.

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@markbennett6658 👍👍

[@decimal1815]

What are the cameras like on the Kona? 360 camera is useful on the LEAF for parking into a tight space.

[@grouchthatbarx]

It only has a rear camera on my kona.

[@Rexbilly9819]

Only has the rear camera with guidance lines and positioning lines when you turn the steering wheel. Has front and rear parking sensors and a rear wash wipe, but no 360 degree camera or self park though.

[@MrSammotube]

Just got the new Kona Electric a few days ago - seems very quiet to me (I knew this as obviously tested it before buying). It is not really comparable to the old one as it is an EV chassis now instead of petrol-first.

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@MrSammotube 👍👍

[@bordersw1239]

There’s a great public toilet opposite the tourist info office in Talgarth, lovely little town - very friendly locals. 😂

[@grouchthatbarx]

It's always good to know where the toilets are 😁👍👍

[@Lewis_Standing]

Yeah ive got a 2020 Kona which does have a lot of road noise to be fair

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@Lewis_Standing 👍👍

[@caterthun4853]

Anglesey..charging availability is dismal. Some local council chargers have been broken for months..

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@caterthun4853 Councils aren't the best at maintaining chargers.

[@decimal1815]

How does the adaptive cruise control compare on both cars? I'm using the Pro Pilot cruise control on the LEAF on every long journey now. Really takes the work out of driving..

[@grouchthatbarx]

I haven't tried it yet as the radar needs an alignment.

[@gerhardk98]

The GPS is probably accurate just the initial distance estimate the car makes is how the crow flies but once it uses roads to calculate distance it will naturally increase.

[@grouchthatbarx]

I usually use Google maps which never does that. 👍👍

[@oliver90owner]

You, no doubt, now realise the inital distance on the sat nav is “as the crow flies”.🙂

[@grouchthatbarx]

Sat Nav should know I'm not a crow 😁👍👍

[@oliver90owner]

@@grouchthatbarx It is exactly the same on Google maps. Initial distance shown is a direct line between the start and finish points - but when the routes are requested thy are shown as real travelled distances.🙂🙂 I actually am not a fan of the Hyundai navigation. It seems to occasionally defy logic.

[@jolive3743]

hello bud. Been looking at the Kona (even on Copart (although i'm a bit scared to do what you did) but i have a favour to ask. I wanna use it for bike touring overnighters and i wonder if it's big enough to sleep in with the seats down in the back? P.s. i'm 5'8

[@jolive3743]

p.p.s. top wafflin'

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@jolive3743 I will have to measure it tomorrow and get back to.

[@jolive3743]

@@grouchthatbarx perfect, thanks mate

[@jolive3743]

@@grouchthatbarx hello!!! Any measurements?

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@jolive3743 I forgot... I will do it for you now

[@FoxInClogs]

Not quite the middle of nowhere. The outskirts of nowhere, maybe?

[@grouchthatbarx]

@@FoxInClogs Mid Wales is so different to South Wales that it seems like the middle of nowhere to me 😀

[@rp9674]

Sounds like more of a joke than a question, but if Leif gets you to the same places and saves you a lot of money, there's an argument to be made for that

[@grouchthatbarx]

👍👍

[@rp9674]

I once beat a Tesla S plaid in my Fiat 500e in heavy Los Angeles traffic

[@oliver90owner]

@@rp9674 A pushbike can easily beat all the 4 wheeled traffic in the London rush hour.🙂🙂

[@rp9674]

​@@oliver90ownerI guess it's more fun when you're on vacation

[@rp9674]

​@@oliver90owner...holiday