I'm on the fence between the Kona preferred and the Tesla M3 SR+.
I understand that for many, the model 3 is the best thing that happened to humanity in a long time, but... the car seems to be designed and built for Californians.
Let me explain.
It looks like, understandably, Tesla decided to cut some corners with the M3. Unfortunately for us Canadians, the corners cut include:
-no battery heater (it uses a bizarre heat recovery mechanism from the engine, that sounds more like a hack than otherwise)
-no heat pump
Winter range loss is important to me because I only plan to charge at home. I only use the car for 60km commutes and many short trips around town. No need or use for public charge stations, except maybe the once in a bluemoon 200km trip.
I watched dozens of M3 and Kona videos on youtube, trying to find out how much range is lost during winter with these two cars. I focused on videos showing highway driving at 100+ km/hr, heater on, normal driving at around -15C (which is the average of the coldest days where I live)
Here are my unscientific estimates:
-Model 3 range loss = 38%
-Kona range loss = 22%
if you have better estimations, please share!
why are these numbers important? well, the problem is a combination of factors. Take the M3 SR+ for example, it has a theoretical range of 386 km.
Problem is, even Tesla recommends, for daily use, to use around 60% of the battery capacity. From 90% full to 30% full (YMMV as Tesla forums and even Tesla officials seem undecided when it comes to get this kind of info)
-So if we should target using 60% of the battery capacity, the 386km range get'S reduced to 231km.
-Now, if we are talking winter, as per the range loss above, the 231km range will get reduced to around 144km.
In other words, with a M3 SR+, in Canadian winter (-10 C to -20C), I should plan for a max range of 144km between charges...
now take the Kona, same calculations:
-base range 415km.
-let's assume a similar capacity use of 90% to 30% as the M3 (Even if I was unable to find any guidance regarding Hyundai batteries online). that gives a range of 249km
-as per above, winter range could be reduced by 22%, so it provides a winter range of about 194km
In other words, with a Kona, in Canadian winter (-10 C to -20C), I should plan for a max range of 194km between charges...
now add to this that:
-model 3 SR+ would cost me 10.000 CAD more after all is said and done, compared to the Kona preferred
-I, for one, don't care if the car can accelerate to 100km/hr in 5 seconds or 8
-I live in Quebec, pothole republic, and I'm concerned that the more sporty M3 suspension will make me hate the idea of taking the car to the road
I'm trying to convince the conscious part of my brain that the Tesla is the good choice, but i'm failing.
Please help me!