Many common readers right here will know that I purchased a Hyundai Kona electrical as quickly because it was humanly doable to take action in Australia.
Having been concerned with and driving EVs for commuting for a few years earlier than then, it had appeared an eternity to attend earlier than the arrival of a technology of EVs able to matching all of the capacities of an ICE automobile. (That means I may lastly pension off my growing old ICE towing and distance driving automobile).
A few of you might even keep in mind my article again in 2019 once I defined my dilemma over sticking with my Tesla Mannequin 3 reservation, or leaping ship to the Hyundai Kona electrical.
Nicely, time flies and the top of June marked my first 4 years of Kona electrical possession. As 4 years is a typical age for new-bought automobiles to be offered – with fairly a quantity just lately coming to the second-hand market – it appeared a very good time to put in writing a long-term driving evaluate.
The Hyundai Kona electrical
For these not accustomed to the Kona electrical, it’s generally described as a small ‘crossover’ SUV. In electrical guise it’s front-wheel drive solely, though the petrol model has an AWD choice. Worldwide gross sales of the Kona electrical started in late 2018 with Australian deliveries starting in March 2019.
Since its arrival it has had a few minor updates. For these wanting to buy second-hand, these variations embrace:
2020:
Touchscreen widened to 250mm;
Minor underbody faring and higher tyres. (Collectively they gave a barely elevated driving vary).
2021:
Exterior adjustments together with a special (smoother) nostril;
Addition of a 39kWh, 100kW motor ‘Customary Vary’ model.
It is usually value noting that an all-new Kona electrical is due late this yr. This new mannequin can be barely bigger and constructed on a extra EV optimised platform than the present one, which is successfully a ‘transformed’ ICE mannequin.
Driving
As talked about earlier, I purchased the Kona electrical with the intention to pension off my final ICE automobiles. Having pushed the Kona throughout my dwelling state of Victoria, so far as Coffs Harbour within the north of NSW …. and on the way in which again to Melbourne inland through Tamworth and Dubbo to be dwelling in two days … plus as far west as Perth and again – I believe I can safely say the expertise has proved itself greater than able to changing an ICE automobile there.
Sadly, the identical can’t be stated of its tow score (or lack thereof). Regardless of assurances from Hyundai Australia head workplace reps at numerous media days that the Kona electrical can be rated for towing ‘at some stage’, they finally quashed all chance of a tow score … and I’ve needed to keep one final ICE automobile to do my towing work.
Inside consolation and put on
In appear and feel, it’s arduous to distinguish the EV model from a standard ICE Kona – so for anybody wanting a second-hand Kona as a primary EV, the Kona doesn’t current many challenges there.
I’ve discovered it to be each snug and ergonomic with a very good mixture of bodily buttons and levers alongside the touchscreen. Sure – the sprint, console and door panels are arduous plastic so don’t give a ‘premium’ really feel – however it’s value remembering that it’s a mid-level automobile and was by no means marketed as a luxurious one.
Driving Vary
The European WLTP check commonplace for the 2019 mannequin gave a 449km vary, which was upped to 484km in 2020. For my early 2019 mannequin I’ve discovered that round city I often exceed each and 500 km is what I might usually count on if all I do is 40-60km/h avenue travelling – supplied I’m not utilizing the heater or air conditioner.
So in my expertise, I might say that even in excessive summer season or mid-winter, the WLTP quantity is just about what you’d count on for metropolis driving.
On the freeway, the US EPA check commonplace is mostly a greater information for that type of driving than the European based mostly WLTP quantity. For the 2019 Kona the US EPA vary is 415km. In my expertise of nation driving round Victoria I’ve discovered it to common 400 to 420 km: so just about bang on there too.
Thoughts-you, for prolonged, excessive pace driving the place you speed up to freeway speeds and keep there all day (like throughout the Nullarbor Plain) – I noticed an extra discount to 380 – 390 km.
When it comes to effectivity and vary – I might contend that it nonetheless presents higher bang-for-buck than many EVs. On the WLTP cycle, the Kona electrical (previous or new) outperforms most new opponents. (See desk 1).
Desk 1: Comparability of 2019 Kona electrical to chose EVs below $70,000 on the Australian market
Sources: EV Database, AEVA EV mannequin Truth Sheets
Notes to desk:
Precise Tesla battery sizes might fluctuate relying on cell chemistry, cell producer and market.
Approximate on-the-road pricing in Victoria. Different states can be much less with the appliance of their respective EV subsidies.
Battery life
As for whether or not there’s any degradation with battery age – that’s one thing I merely am not able to report on. It is because at three and a half years of age, Hyundai kindly changed my predominant battery pack for a brand new one below the worldwide recall of some 70,000 early Konas for potential battery hearth points.
(For many who don’t know, round 16 Kona electrics self-immolated as a result of a battery meeting/design challenge). As a part of that recall, round 600 Australian delivered Konas had been recalled for a battery pack alternative, that means for the final six months I’ve successfully had a brand new Kona once more!)
Charging
The Kona electrical makes use of the now ubiquitous CCS2 charging plug that has grow to be the usual in Australia for all new BEVs. (Except for the Nissan Leaf and Lexus 300e – though each producers with their new fashions are transferring to CCS right here).
As such, I can cost at any public AC cost level (apart from the odd Tesla vacation spot charger that has been set to ‘Tesla solely’) in addition to all DC chargers besides Tesla Superchargers. (Which by the way in which is altering – Tesla is slowly opening up its DC chargers to all EV makes).
The Kona’s most cost charges of seven.4kW AC and 70kW DC at the moment are beginning to look barely anaemic in comparison with the present crop of EVs the place 11kW AC is the norm and few EVs besides the most affordable are under 100kW DC.
To this point although, I haven’t discovered these charging charges to restrict my day-to day driving. In terms of AC charging, 7.4kW is all most individuals can count on for dwelling charging and that can nonetheless give a worst-case zero to 100% cost in a single day.
Sure, 11kW is each extra form to the grid when you’ve got three part energy obtainable … and it’s a useful add-on for lengthy distance journey if utilizing a 3 part AC charger or energy outlet, however it isn’t a deal-breaker to purchasing a second-hand EV over a brand new one.
Thoughts-you, for off-the-beaten-DC-track driving, I undoubtedly would’ve preferred three part AC charging capability to raised utilise the 32A three part outlet at South Australia’s Poochera pub (between Port Augusta and Ceduna in South Australia). 11kW charging would have diminished that wait from three to 2 hours, while 22kW AC charging would have diminished that to 1 hour.
Upkeep
The service interval for the Kona electrical is 15,000 km or 12 months – whichever comes first. That is for the set worth of $165 – which at first look could seem quite a bit as there’s little that an EV wants in the way in which of service.
(For a comparability, Tesla doesn’t set a service schedule in any respect – the automobile merely notifies you each time there’s a want for a service merchandise to be attended to).
Nonetheless, I’m completely satisfied to pay that $165. For the cash you get a security test of brakes and tyre put on in addition to a common test of the automobile plus an replace of the software program, implementation of any service campaigns – plus renewal of 12 months free roadside help.
For that, $165 doesn’t appear too steep a charge – and for the common automobile driver, having a second set of eyes do an annual security test is just a very good factor to have executed versus Tesla’s ‘set and neglect’ mentality.
The fantastic thing about the Kona electrical service is it additionally doesn’t escalate in worth over time prefer it does for ICE automobiles. Brakes are much less more likely to put on as a result of regenerative electrical braking and there aren’t any common replacements of timing belts, water pumps and the like that may add tons of and even hundreds of {dollars} to later yr ICE service prices.
The one ‘draw back’ of those companies I’ve discovered is with every replace of the navigation system you get adjustments to the look and operation of the maps – that means it normally takes some time to re-find some options and capabilities.
Kona shortcomings
The present Kona electrical does have its downsides. As an electrical ‘add-on’ design based mostly on an ICE platform, it has loads of wasted house within the engine bay and central transmission hump that might have been integrated into the cabin, as was executed for the EV-only E-GMP platform used within the Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and many others.
In consequence, the Kona has fairly a small boot quantity and a big centre console. Positive on a visit with one or two individuals – however not significantly sensible for a full passenger listing with baggage.
It additionally has plenty of empty house below the bonnet as a result of alternative of the ICE motor and ancillaries with the smaller package deal of electrical motor, single pace gearbox and electronics – however there isn’t a ‘froot’ compartment.
(Froot by the way in which is brief for ‘entrance boot’ – which is the UK/Australian model of the US ‘frunk’, quick for entrance trunk). Once more, that is addressed within the E-GMP platform automobiles.
Additionally, as famous beforehand – it doesn’t have a tow score.
Summing up:
The plain query, with the plethora of EV choices arriving since I purchased the Kona, is ‘would I nonetheless purchase one now?”
desk 1: the Kona electrical stands up effectively in opposition to the most affordable new EVs obtainable right here – and even not too shabbily at as much as the brand new worth for a high spec Kona electrical of round $70k. Of the fashions due right here later this yr: for the same sized/spec EV below $70k, I might maybe add the MG4 and VW ID.3 to that listing.
So of that expanded listing in Desk 1, are any of them a greater choice for me in opposition to my 2019 alternative? The Cupra seems good … till you realise there isn’t a tow score – that means the identical challenge apples for the ID.3 as it’s the similar automobile – so no pleasure from both there.
The Atto 3 doesn’t have the vary of a brand new Kona and the charging charges are successfully no totally different to the Kona (new or previous), nevertheless it does have a tow score. So it could be a contender if I used to be compelled into the marketplace for one other automobile, nevertheless it’s not sufficient of an enchancment to tempt me to alter to a brand new one.
As for the Leaf – while I cherished my first technology 2011 mannequin, the Leaf is beginning to badly present its age with the worst driving vary, no tow score, decrease AC cost price – AND it has the outdated CHAdeMO DC cost port – so it’s a particular fail for me. (Much more so now than it was for me again in 2019).
The MG ZS EV does have a lightweight tow score and sooner AC charging, however it is vitally inefficient with its electrons and appears/feels no higher to drive than the Kona, so it has solely the tow score to supply attraction.
The Tesla 3 is due to this fact nonetheless the strongest present opposition to a brand new Kona for me – much more so than in 2019. The Customary Vary model now equals the present Kona driving vary (which it didn’t in 2019) and it’s less expensive now for that driving vary: plus it does have a tow score (because it did in 2019).
So, if compelled into the market, maybe the choice between the 2 as-new automobiles can be even tougher than earlier than – however for 2019 fashions, the Kona for me nonetheless wins over having to purchase a long-range Mannequin 3 at $10k plus extra. A brand new Mannequin Y is probably nearer – however it’s over my $70k most criterion … and just like the Mannequin 3, a much bigger automobile than I want.
So for now, if compelled into the market by means of misadventure, I might most likely simply plump for a second-hand Kona electrical. Which will quickly change although.
When the MG4 arrives, it ought to include 11 kW AC charging/135kW DC charging, a 500 kg tow score and a 450 km vary. The vary will not be fairly nearly as good because the Kona (previous or new) nevertheless it’s not too dangerous both. So it could be a perhaps, pending a check drive. Not sufficient to temp me out of my present Kona although.
There may be, by the way in which, a 3rd ‘darkish horse’ potential addition to the listing: the upcoming all-new Kona electrical, due right here maybe late this yr.
While the total specs have but to be launched – it’s more likely to arrive with 11kW AC/100kW DC charging, a tow score, larger boot capability, all new expanded/EV optimised inside AND Automobile to Load (V2L) capability.
Once more, most likely not sufficient to tempt me out of my present one (given I nonetheless preserve an ICE tow automobile), but when I used to be compelled into the market quickly after the brand new Kona arrived – it could most likely be the intense contender for me over a second-hand Kona, relying on worth.
2024 Hyundai Kona inside. Picture: Hyundai
Nonetheless:
Each the brand new Kona and the MG4 are larger than my present Kona and what I actually need is a smaller, lengthy vary EV with quick AC charging that may tow … and no EV in the marketplace right here (or coming quickly) appears to supply that mixture.
Australia’s predilection for big SUVs usually guidelines out producers bothering to convey anything right here – so all-up, it might be some time earlier than I willingly change EVs!
Remaining notice: for many who keep in mind my article again in Could, there was a really tempting one (the Renault Megane E-Tech) …. and I used to be about to purchase it, regardless of the value. That was till Renault determined to downgrade its 22kW AC charging capability (obtainable in all different markets) to 7kW just for Australia.
Bryce Gaton is an skilled on electrical automobiles and contributor for The Pushed and Renew Financial system. He has been working within the EV sector since 2008 and is presently working as EV electrical security coach/supervisor for the College of Melbourne. He additionally offers help for the EV Transition to enterprise, authorities and the general public by means of his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.