My new Kona Electric and my first impressions

Which you almost certainly are not!

My dealer who took the Hyundai training ( 3 days apparently) says that there is a significant portion of the battery "hidden" and that charging to less than 100% for battery preservation is not necessary. He said there's no way Hyundai would warantee for 8 years if they didn't have a big margin built in. Compared to my range readings yours seem low I have all the same conditions as you and seem to have about 50 kms more. Maybe your longer history is more accurate than my brief one? Or maybe it's all fiction!
No idea! I'll just charge to 100% now, thanks! I guess that's why they call it a Guess-O-Meter! Haha
 
And no, I have not been driving reasonably ;)
Why should you? Have some fun! I've yet to take CJC's advice to try Sport mode and flooring it. But I will.

Ya, I'm a 100% guy myself. I don't worry about batteries in my other devices either. Now DC fast charge is another story but I'm not sure I'll ever use that anyway.

I tried Eco Mode yesterday and saw no performance difference from Normal. I'm not sure I like the Speedo design as much as Normal though.

Question: how do you get that little animation of the car showing power output and Regen on the dash? I toggled through all the dash options repeatedly and couldn't find it.
 
Why should you? Have some fun! I've yet to take CJC's advice to try Sport mode and flooring it. But I will.

Ya, I'm a 100% guy myself. I don't worry about batteries in my other devices either. Now DC fast charge is another story but I'm not sure I'll ever use that anyway.

I tried Eco Mode yesterday and saw no performance difference from Normal. I'm not sure I like the Speedo design as much as Normal though.

Question: how do you get that little animation of the car showing power output and Regen on the dash? I toggled through all the dash options repeatedly and couldn't find it.
I think this is what you're after. I had to dig a little bit through the menus but I found it!

Use this button on the steering wheel...

Screenshot_20190227_130949.webp

And scroll through until you get this menu...

Screenshot_20190227_131007.webp

And then use the scroll buttons...

Screenshot_20190227_131307.webp

To scroll to the bottom until you find this animation :)

Screenshot_20190227_131037.webp


Can you tell I wanted to try out my new photo markup app? ;)

Hope that's what you're looking for.

P.S. I changed my AC charge settings to 100%. I left the DC charge to 90% only because anything higher than thatafter the speed is tapered down so much you might as well plug in to Level 2!
 
I think this is what you're after. I had to dig a little bit through the menus but I found it!

Use this button on the steering wheel...

View attachment 3898

And scroll through until you get this menu...

View attachment 3899

And then use the scroll buttons...

View attachment 3900

To scroll to the bottom until you find this animation :)

View attachment 3901


Can you tell I wanted to try out my new photo markup app? ;)

Hope that's what you're looking for.

P.S. I changed my AC charge settings to 100%. I left the DC charge to 90% only because anything higher than thatafter the speed is tapered down so much you might as well plug in to Level 2!
Thanks. I'll try it. I just scrolled past that menu page because it's all text. I was looking for the little car picture.
 
Thanks. I'll try it. I just scrolled past that menu page because it's all text. I was looking for the little car picture.
I think what I do is take the user thingy back to the top and then press cruise until the right selection shows on the dash.
 
OK, guys. It's time to confess: I am totally insane!
I just confirmed a Kona EV in San Diego and I'm buying it! Full disclosure: I live in Oregon and Work currently in Las Vegas. Luckily because I don't live in LV I can buy one in CA. I've only EVER driven a Bolt for 10 minutes, but will drive to San Diego later today and pick it up. Never done a longer drive in an EV but need to drive it back to Las Vegas tonight. OH MY!! I am about to p** and sh*** my pants! So excited and scared at the same time!

Any advice for my first long EV drive?
 
My winter mode unchecks too. I actually have never seen it saved after the car turned off and then back on.

Re: accessories I’m still waiting for my floor mats, roof racks, and trunk liner from the dealership. I’d like to also get something to protect the door sills, something to line the sunglasses holder to prevent the sunglasses from rattling and something for the cup holder to stop coffee mugs from rattling. Haven’t seen anything out there yet specific for the Kona EV really.

You hit all the nails on all the heads!
I have the mats and trunk liner already - the premium all weather set. But I’m looking for liners for the cup holders in case I spill something. Also looking for the door-sill stainless steel pieces too.
Most importantly for me - I haven’t found a place that does paint protection film for our cars yet. They don’t have the file for their programs yet and all of them are terrified of the front bumper lol! I want to get the entire front end of the car done. I drive 150km per day and my last Santa Fe looked like it drove through the asteroid belt a couple of time after just 5 years. Lastly, I’m looking for the hitch accessory for my bike rack. I can’t wait for everything to start flooding the market.
 
You hit all the nails on all the heads!
I have the mats and trunk liner already - the premium all weather set. But I’m looking for liners for the cup holders in case I spill something. Also looking for the door-sill stainless steel pieces too.
Most importantly for me - I haven’t found a place that does paint protection film for our cars yet. They don’t have the file for their programs yet and all of them are terrified of the front bumper lol! I want to get the entire front end of the car done. I drive 150km per day and my last Santa Fe looked like it drove through the asteroid belt a couple of time after just 5 years. Lastly, I’m looking for the hitch accessory for my bike rack. I can’t wait for everything to start flooding the market.
I fear that we might be lucky with a trickle. A few thousand vehicles worldwide won't entice too many aftermarket accessory makers, I'm afraid. And North American numbers will be tiny for years.
 
FYI - my winter mode was turned on when delivered and has remained so. I got 440km as range estimate when it was 6c. Yesterday at -12c it was 411 both with Winter Mode on.
By the way, are you driving in Sport mode. Those range estimates seem low out of the gate. Or maybe you're not charging to 100%?

Correct! I have never charged to 100% as it’s not recommended to do frequently. I charge to 90% in winter and plan to charge to 80% in summer.
I’ve gotten these numbers from a bunch of Tesla research as that was the car I was supposed to buy until Ford came into office.

It’s strange to see that some say their winter mode has turned off and others, like yourself say it stays on! I wonder if that in and of itself is a setting? I will admit I’ve not read the phone book that came with the car yet.
 
Which you almost certainly are not!

My dealer who took the Hyundai training ( 3 days apparently) says that there is a significant portion of the battery "hidden" and that charging to less than 100% for battery preservation is not necessary. He said there's no way Hyundai would warantee for 8 years if they didn't have a big margin built in. Compared to my range readings yours seem low I have all the same conditions as you and seem to have about 50 kms more. Maybe your longer history is more accurate than my brief one? Or maybe it's all fiction!

I’d be weary of constantly charging to 100%. I like to keep a buffer. Until there’s absolute confirmation that “our” 100% is the “cars” 80%. I’ll stick to charging to 90% ahah
 
Going to need roof rack (8ft ladder won't fit in car), also going to check out window visors.
When the rear seats are folded down the seat belts leave an impression in the leather ( when you load tools or weight on them) have to check a way to re-route them.
I like how the front passenger seat almost folds flat.
Haven't driven much yet ( too busy), still don't know how to turn on things like headlights or wipers, better check the manual sometime.
I LOVE the one finger driving and not having to use the foot pedals for starting or stopping but still a little intermittent ( it warned me to accelerate after being stopped at a red light today)
Still have 390 km before I have to figure out how to re-charge ( driven 60 km so far)
Am I mistaken or is the Kona going for more $ in the States ? I believe one owner from So-Cal said $51K out the door which translates to $67K Cdn with no heat pump!
Also read on the UK forum they are going back to pre-order system again, (limited availability or a Brexit thing?)
 
OK, guys. It's time to confess: I am totally insane!
I just confirmed a Kona EV in San Diego and I'm buying it! Full disclosure: I live in Oregon and Work currently in Las Vegas. Luckily because I don't live in LV I can buy one in CA. I've only EVER driven a Bolt for 10 minutes, but will drive to San Diego later today and pick it up. Never done a longer drive in an EV but need to drive it back to Las Vegas tonight. OH MY!! I am about to p** and sh*** my pants! So excited and scared at the same time!

Any advice for my first long EV drive?

Your insanity will be rewarded. Sounds like you might need some fresh pants for the trip in your new car !
Just pre-plan your route and make sure there is a couple charging stations on your route. At 338 miles it is unlikely your going to make it on one charge. Barstow looks like it is around the halfway point and might be a good place to charge assuming there are stations. I have never done the drive but isn't there some mountainous terrain on that route? If so, your range may vary considerably. Look for other Hyundai or Kia dealers on route as they would be likely to offer you a free charge. Even if they have not sold Konas they may have sold Ionics or Souls and should have chargers.
 
Look for other Hyundai or Kia dealers on route as they would be likely to offer you a free charge. Even if they have not sold Konas they may have sold Ionics or Souls and should have chargers.

I'm told that Canadian Hyundai dealers are being required to install level 3 chargers.
 
You hit all the nails on all the heads!
I have the mats and trunk liner already - the premium all weather set. But I’m looking for liners for the cup holders in case I spill something. Also looking for the door-sill stainless steel pieces too.
Most importantly for me - I haven’t found a place that does paint protection film for our cars yet. They don’t have the file for their programs yet and all of them are terrified of the front bumper lol! I want to get the entire front end of the car done. I drive 150km per day and my last Santa Fe looked like it drove through the asteroid belt a couple of time after just 5 years. Lastly, I’m looking for the hitch accessory for my bike rack. I can’t wait for everything to start flooding the market.

I am not sure that a hitch can go on the Kona EV? I know that the ICE Kona can take a hitch but not sure if there are any mounting spots on the bottom. It would be cool if someone built something.

If you find somewhere that can do the front paint protection let me know. A friend of mine got his model 3 done but that cost him $1900. He said this place is supposed to be a bit less but couldn't comment on quality - http://blog.vancouverclearbra.com . I've not contacted them yet.
 
I am not sure that a hitch can go on the Kona EV? I know that the ICE Kona can take a hitch but not sure if there are any mounting spots on the bottom. It would be cool if someone built something.

If you find somewhere that can do the front paint protection let me know. A friend of mine got his model 3 done but that cost him $1900. He said this place is supposed to be a bit less but couldn't comment on quality - http://blog.vancouverclearbra.com . I've not contacted them yet.

I found a shop locally (Oakville Ontario) that’ll wrap the entire front of the car including mirrors, headlights, pillars and even a strip on the roof above the windshield that’s prone to rock chips. He would even throw in door handle cups and a strip along the trunk/bumper when you load things in and out. All of this for $2000 but the problem is neither of the manufacturers he uses have the Kona Electric on their cutting software yet. He uses Xpel and 3M. He said once it’s updated with the car, he’d let me know. He called 3M and they couldn’t give him an ETA unfortunately.
 
Your insanity will be rewarded. Sounds like you might need some fresh pants for the trip in your new car !
Just pre-plan your route and make sure there is a couple charging stations on your route. At 338 miles it is unlikely your going to make it on one charge. Barstow looks like it is around the halfway point and might be a good place to charge assuming there are stations. I have never done the drive but isn't there some mountainous terrain on that route? If so, your range may vary considerably. Look for other Hyundai or Kia dealers on route as they would be likely to offer you a free charge. Even if they have not sold Konas they may have sold Ionics or Souls and should have chargers.
Thanks for the tips, I planned 2 stops, just in case something with a charger isn't working out ... [emoji16]

So excited, I just drove it around the block. Working on paperwork now ...

The mourning mermaids are so cool. [emoji3]
Wish you could change it into the Robinsons sound [emoji12]

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk
 
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I'm going to give them a couple days and then call them back to see if they can walk me through. Right now my VIN isn't even showing up for them (whatever that means). Do you have any idea what the " registration code" is?

Wildeyed, I wouldn't wait too long. The registration code expires and will lock you out anyways despite them reading / having your VIN. I received both the VIN / registration code from BlueLink, but because I waited too long (it was about 4-5 days), my reg code expired and had to call them to activate everything.
 
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