2019 Hyundai Kona EV Game Over Leaf
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
Stephen Hendricks
The Korean entries are game changers, I think. EVs with a range of 100-110 miles are effectively urban runabouts suitable for short daily commutes but not much more. A range of up to 250 miles turns an EV into a far more flexible vehicle. Here in the Seattle region daily commutes for many are in the 80-100 round trip range. In a short range EV that means daily recharging. A 200+ range not only means less frequent recharging, it means unexpected demands or even weekend trips arent out of the question. And apart from tax rebates here in the Pacific Northwest we benefit from hydro generated electric power. That means a 64KW battery can be fully recharged for less than 9. That compares very favorably to the 40, or so, it costs me to get a 250 mile range in my GTI. Even hybrids cant match that fuel efficiency. If I were shopping, I think Id opt for the eSoul. The funky versatility of the Soul and KIAs designs are more appealing in their simplicity to me compared to Hyundais fussier design language. Those with different needs and tastes may well make another decision.
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The Korean entries are game changers, I think. EVs with a range of 100-110 miles are effectively urban runabouts suitable for short daily commutes but not much more. A range of up to 250 miles turns an EV into a far more flexible vehicle. Here in the Seattle region daily commutes for many are in the 80-100 round trip range. In a short range EV that means daily recharging. A 200+ range not only means less frequent recharging, it means unexpected demands or even weekend trips arent out of the question. And apart from tax rebates here in the Pacific Northwest we benefit from hydro generated electric power. That means a 64KW battery can be fully recharged for less than 9. That compares very favorably to the 40, or so, it costs me to get a 250 mile range in my GTI. Even hybrids cant match that fuel efficiency. If I were shopping, I think Id opt for the eSoul. The funky versatility of the Soul and KIAs designs are more appealing in their simplicity to me compared to Hyundais fussier design language. Those with different needs and tastes may well make another decision.
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Hawki Haq
Alex your reviews are always most detailed and most helpful. Thank You. Today I test drove an Kona EV (my first EV driving) in Montreal, Canada. It was really a joy to drive it. Waiting for new Canadas Federal C5000 EV rebate to start, on top of Quebecs (provincial) C8000 rebate. However, the federal C5k rebate is eligible for under C45k EV cars only. Kona Preferred EV is priced at C45, 600 - so Hyundai Canada may reduce the price by 600 to be eligible for the C5k federal rebate. Next trim level in Canada is Kona EV Ultimate, which is priced at C51, 600, really nice light grey leather, but to get the C5k federal rebate will stay in base/Preferred trim. Waiting for Kia Niro EV and 2020 Kia Soul EV to be available for test drive before finalizing which EV to buy. For Kona EV, I did not like the rear seat leg room. My daughter is 54 and she complained back leg room is cramped. Our other car 2015 Nissan Rogue has 2-3 times more leg room in the back seat. May be Kia Niro or Kia Soul have better leg room for back seats.
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Alex your reviews are always most detailed and most helpful. Thank You. Today I test drove an Kona EV (my first EV driving) in Montreal, Canada. It was really a joy to drive it. Waiting for new Canadas Federal C5000 EV rebate to start, on top of Quebecs (provincial) C8000 rebate. However, the federal C5k rebate is eligible for under C45k EV cars only. Kona Preferred EV is priced at C45, 600 - so Hyundai Canada may reduce the price by 600 to be eligible for the C5k federal rebate. Next trim level in Canada is Kona EV Ultimate, which is priced at C51, 600, really nice light grey leather, but to get the C5k federal rebate will stay in base/Preferred trim. Waiting for Kia Niro EV and 2020 Kia Soul EV to be available for test drive before finalizing which EV to buy. For Kona EV, I did not like the rear seat leg room. My daughter is 54 and she complained back leg room is cramped. Our other car 2015 Nissan Rogue has 2-3 times more leg room in the back seat. May be Kia Niro or Kia Soul have better leg room for back seats.
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retrodog63
The Kona is a nice car if size/capacity doesnt matter much to someone. Its room in the front seats. The back seats are a little cramped, and rear cargo area is almost non-existent. I drive a 2015 Leaf and there is a tremendous difference. Other than the cargo space, I really like the Kona layout. I can see why its been a hit and why it will make a great EV for most people. The higher power charging sounds nice, but people need to realize that this might require special wiring and circuit breaker. Many have set up a Level 2 charger themselves by sourcing power from a cloths dryer receptacle. But that is, at 6. 6 kw rate, is pushing the current limit to the max in many cases. Elevating the current level another 1kw might be too much. My Leaf warms up my receptacle, so I fan cool it, at the 6. 6 kw rate. My Volt only charges at 3. 3 kw so that doesnt even warm it up.
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The Kona is a nice car if size/capacity doesnt matter much to someone. Its room in the front seats. The back seats are a little cramped, and rear cargo area is almost non-existent. I drive a 2015 Leaf and there is a tremendous difference. Other than the cargo space, I really like the Kona layout. I can see why its been a hit and why it will make a great EV for most people. The higher power charging sounds nice, but people need to realize that this might require special wiring and circuit breaker. Many have set up a Level 2 charger themselves by sourcing power from a cloths dryer receptacle. But that is, at 6. 6 kw rate, is pushing the current limit to the max in many cases. Elevating the current level another 1kw might be too much. My Leaf warms up my receptacle, so I fan cool it, at the 6. 6 kw rate. My Volt only charges at 3. 3 kw so that doesnt even warm it up.
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Mark Bader
I test drove one of these, and I can say theyre an awesome driving vehicle. However, only the deluxe version is available right now, and in CDN currency, after taxes and with no rebates available where I live, the e-Kona would cost 60, 240. A regular Kona - the maxed out Ultimate AWD, leather interior, etc, only comes to 36, 892. So, how much carbon emitting dirty stuff can I buy for the 23, 000 difference? Im thinking its a lot. Aside from this, the Ultimate e-Kona is the only version worth considering (again, its also the only model available) given the range for the 64kWh battery of 415km is barely acceptable, in my opinion. Im going to have to wait until battery production around the world ramps up and the price comes down, at which point I imagine a 700km range (with a sub 1-hour charge time) in an EV will be standard.
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I test drove one of these, and I can say theyre an awesome driving vehicle. However, only the deluxe version is available right now, and in CDN currency, after taxes and with no rebates available where I live, the e-Kona would cost 60, 240. A regular Kona - the maxed out Ultimate AWD, leather interior, etc, only comes to 36, 892. So, how much carbon emitting dirty stuff can I buy for the 23, 000 difference? Im thinking its a lot. Aside from this, the Ultimate e-Kona is the only version worth considering (again, its also the only model available) given the range for the 64kWh battery of 415km is barely acceptable, in my opinion. Im going to have to wait until battery production around the world ramps up and the price comes down, at which point I imagine a 700km range (with a sub 1-hour charge time) in an EV will be standard.
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Dietmar Krauss-Varban
This vehicle is just both tiny and super-expensive in the EV market. I leased my much larger (interior and cargo space) e-Golf for just 140/month, after combined state and federal discounts (note that that price has doubled, now - no thank you. Most EV buyers dont care about range much beyond 100 - 150 miles, because they know another car or a rental car or Uber or whatnot can fill the gaps, if needed (in three years, I never had to - except for our regular family commuter and second car for vacation trips. Manufacturers: long range just hurts handling, economy, and sales price. Just dont do it. Instead, focus on batteries that despite battery management dont lose 25% charge in as little as three years or 15, 000 miles. basically eliminating EVs as a purchase (vs. lease) vehicle.
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This vehicle is just both tiny and super-expensive in the EV market. I leased my much larger (interior and cargo space) e-Golf for just 140/month, after combined state and federal discounts (note that that price has doubled, now - no thank you. Most EV buyers dont care about range much beyond 100 - 150 miles, because they know another car or a rental car or Uber or whatnot can fill the gaps, if needed (in three years, I never had to - except for our regular family commuter and second car for vacation trips. Manufacturers: long range just hurts handling, economy, and sales price. Just dont do it. Instead, focus on batteries that despite battery management dont lose 25% charge in as little as three years or 15, 000 miles. basically eliminating EVs as a purchase (vs. lease) vehicle.
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Svik DK
As always a great video from you. I do have some inputs though. Niro offers alot more space for rear passengers compared to the Kona. About the Soul, I have seen footage with the cooled seats in the EV version. Maybe you wont get it in the US, but it should be in other markets. We have prices on both Niro and Kona in Denmark. And the Niro is about 20% more expensive in the toptrim model here, wich is alot of money. The biggest problem with both Kona and Niro. and Soul is the fact, that there is simply not produced enough. We have 9-12 months waiting time for a new car, and i Germany and Norway, they stopped taking order. So getting one will be hard anywhere in the world. To bad, since they are some really nice cars: )
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As always a great video from you. I do have some inputs though. Niro offers alot more space for rear passengers compared to the Kona. About the Soul, I have seen footage with the cooled seats in the EV version. Maybe you wont get it in the US, but it should be in other markets. We have prices on both Niro and Kona in Denmark. And the Niro is about 20% more expensive in the toptrim model here, wich is alot of money. The biggest problem with both Kona and Niro. and Soul is the fact, that there is simply not produced enough. We have 9-12 months waiting time for a new car, and i Germany and Norway, they stopped taking order. So getting one will be hard anywhere in the world. To bad, since they are some really nice cars: )
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Francis Galiegue
I disagree wrt interior space in the Niro compared to the Kona. The Niro is much more spacious and has a quite larger boot as well. Also, I think the central console layout of the Niro is better done. Here in Europe the Niro is approximately 2k more than the Kona; but it would definitely be my choice. Its just a pity that you cant specify the higher trim level without a sun roof which I do not like or want. There are two more things which I dislike with both: no app support Well, there is, but in South Korea only. Come on, Hyundai/Kia. you cant preheat/precool the car with the climate control if its not plugged in I can do that in my e-Golf. Which also has app support, by the way
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I disagree wrt interior space in the Niro compared to the Kona. The Niro is much more spacious and has a quite larger boot as well. Also, I think the central console layout of the Niro is better done. Here in Europe the Niro is approximately 2k more than the Kona; but it would definitely be my choice. Its just a pity that you cant specify the higher trim level without a sun roof which I do not like or want. There are two more things which I dislike with both: no app support Well, there is, but in South Korea only. Come on, Hyundai/Kia. you cant preheat/precool the car with the climate control if its not plugged in I can do that in my e-Golf. Which also has app support, by the way
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Colin. 1
I have this vehicle in the 64 premium plus version, its a fantastic car. Cleaning the front has never been a problem the dimpled front doesnt collect dirt any more than an open grill. The only negative comment Id make is if your a tall driver 6 plus then leg room behind is limited, when my wife drives theres plenty of room behind her. We have solar panels on our house and so far weve been able to charge for free, UK winter weather. For those who cant afford a Tesla this is by far the next best thing. Should have mentioned there are three trims in the UK and mine is the top one with all the bells and whistles, we love it.
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I have this vehicle in the 64 premium plus version, its a fantastic car. Cleaning the front has never been a problem the dimpled front doesnt collect dirt any more than an open grill. The only negative comment Id make is if your a tall driver 6 plus then leg room behind is limited, when my wife drives theres plenty of room behind her. We have solar panels on our house and so far weve been able to charge for free, UK winter weather. For those who cant afford a Tesla this is by far the next best thing. Should have mentioned there are three trims in the UK and mine is the top one with all the bells and whistles, we love it.
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Paul Cox
Its a great veh, although when l test drove one l didnt think the brakes, suspension, handling were up to the power of the motor. The quality of the interior doesnt match the leaf, but in most respects its a better vehicle. Good luck in getting one though, in the UK there was a years wait & this week its not possible to order one at all So its a little unfair to call it a Leaf killer, the Leaf has done wonders for the EV market and you can buy one. By the time it becomes a mainstream vehicle if ever, the VW ID will be available, will that be called a Tesla or Kona killer? I hope not.
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Its a great veh, although when l test drove one l didnt think the brakes, suspension, handling were up to the power of the motor. The quality of the interior doesnt match the leaf, but in most respects its a better vehicle. Good luck in getting one though, in the UK there was a years wait & this week its not possible to order one at all So its a little unfair to call it a Leaf killer, the Leaf has done wonders for the EV market and you can buy one. By the time it becomes a mainstream vehicle if ever, the VW ID will be available, will that be called a Tesla or Kona killer? I hope not.
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Christian Libertarian
This is an exciting time for electrics, but my feeling is that the conservative buyers among us should keep our powder dry for now. The Kona is a great California car, but not even available elsewhere. Chevy Bolt is still pretty good, but it is a first generation all ev. Next gen should be better, so Im guessing two or three years. VW will have something out then, and the Tesla standard should be rolling out en masse by then. Maybe Nissan will get fast charging better for the Leaf at the same time. By my reading of the tea leaves, 2021 will be the time to buy.
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This is an exciting time for electrics, but my feeling is that the conservative buyers among us should keep our powder dry for now. The Kona is a great California car, but not even available elsewhere. Chevy Bolt is still pretty good, but it is a first generation all ev. Next gen should be better, so Im guessing two or three years. VW will have something out then, and the Tesla standard should be rolling out en masse by then. Maybe Nissan will get fast charging better for the Leaf at the same time. By my reading of the tea leaves, 2021 will be the time to buy.
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