Noise

  • Thread starter Thread starter Heaviside
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 5
  • Views Views 2K
H

Heaviside

New Member
Just test drove a 2021 Kona Ultimate. Really liked the handling and appointments, but was really, really disappointed with the road noise. A real deal killer for me, as one of the reaons I have always been interested in electric cars was the elimnination of the engine noise. Now I find that the total noise (road plus engine) of an ICE powered car is no greater than the Kona. As I understant it, the 2022 models will have improved noise properties. Can anyone verify that? If so, I will wait for the 2022 models to arrive before making a decision. Thanks.
 
I don't know anything about any proposed noise-abatement in the 2022, I have not heard that. In the Kona, you hear more road noise than you are used to because of the silence of the drivetrain. So you hear things you didn't hear before over the ICE. I don't know if anyone on here has done a dB comparison between an ICE Kona and a Kona EV but my guess is that the EV is going to be quieter. Bottom line is that the Kona EV is not a luxury car but is a very efficient, fun-to-drive EV at a reasonable price. If you want the quiet I think you are going to have to bump up to Audi/BMW level but it comes at a price I would assume (I never priced them out).
 
I would encourage you to also test drive vehicles with the windows rolled down to various degrees and combinations. I was shocked how intense the buffeting is on the Kona Electric with just the rear windows down - it's absolutely comical. Rolling down the windows isn't something I thought to do myself...
 
Heaviside said:
As I understant it, the 2022 models will have improved noise properties. Can anyone verify that?
Click to expand...
Yes.

Motor Trend reports: "For 2022, all Konas also get new acoustic windshield glass, new insulation around the instrument panel, and more insulation in the cargo hold—additions that should pay bigger dividends in the Kona Electric, given the absence of engine noise ..." Other online stories also mention this.
 
Toolworker said:
Yes.

Motor Trend reports: "For 2022, all Konas also get new acoustic windshield glass, new insulation around the instrument panel, and more insulation in the cargo hold—additions that should pay bigger dividends in the Kona Electric, given the absence of engine noise ..." Other online stories also mention this.
Click to expand...

They contact me to help them out ;)

More seriously, they needed it badly. I remove the home insulation I have done and boy, the cabin was noisy. Now I have done it correctly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top