Sooo, considering all the major issues going on with the Kona

[mmalc Crawford]

FWIW (offering this as a purely subjective report, I'm not trying to suggest that others' experiences are in any way wrong): I had continuous niggles with and anxiety about my Kona.
I traded it in a month ago for an ID.4. A very different sort of car in many respects. But I'm loving it so far in a way that I never did the Kona.

 

[Larrymelton]

Should I just avoid it at all costs? Was really considering the 2021 Kona or new updated 2022 Kona, but seeing all these issues people are going through with recalls, fires and problems etc.. really REALLY makes me nervous to even think to purchase one

what do you guys think?

I got my new battery installed last week. Other than the battery issue, I’ve had no problems with my KONA EV (2019 SEL) and I love it. Hyundai corporate and my local Hyundai dealership (Vacaville, CA, USA) made it all very easy for me…I didn’t even have to contact them about the battery replacement, they contacted me. So, I’m very happy with my KONA and recommend it to everyone that asks…of course I realize some other people may not have had such a positive experience, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. I would still consider the KONA EV if I were you…especially the newer models that aren’t on the battery safety recall list. You might even be able to buy a used 2019 with a new battery at a really great price. Have fun shopping for your EV!

 

[GSkiMTB]

Should I just avoid it at all costs? Was really considering the 2021 Kona or new updated 2022 Kona, but seeing all these issues people are going through with recalls, fires and problems etc.. really REALLY makes me nervous to even think to purchase one

what do you guys think?

Just under 11 months (18000 km) in a 2020 not affected by the battery recall. Absolutely love it! If I were to buy another EV today it would absolutely be on my list of options.

 

[Bruce M.]

After VW's massive "clean diesel" fraud and as a former VW owner, it's not a company I would put on my "most likely to be trustworthy" list. But I am already seeing a number of ID4s on the road in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

[Esprit1st]

At least they can't program the ID.4 to limit emissions on a test stand ... [emoji1787]

 

[Bookbear]

I have a 2021 Kona Ultimate. The car is excellent, zero problems and no recalls that I know of. I would buy it again.

Fully agree with this. And the '21 Kona EVs are NOT involved with the recall (different battey manufacturer?) and would be a good choice. And to be fair, the fires are a result of a faulty battery made by LG, not the fundamental design or assembly of the vehicle itself. Now, that navigation update.... THAT's squarely on Hyundai's shoulders.

 

[Esprit1st]

Now, that navigation update.... THAT's squarely on Hyundai's shoulders.

Well, or is it? The navigation software is apparently outsourced to that map'n'soft company.

So that's the problem in today's world of third party suppliers. In the end Hyundai doesn't really do anything than buying parts, assemble them and slap their logo on it. (I am exaggerating on purpose, but you get my point.)

 

[Bookbear]

The Mach E looks very interesting for the money, but I would point out if the Kona does not meet your space needs, there's something in between the Kona and the Mach E spacewise, that being the Niro.

I, too, looked at a Mach-E. Nice vehicle, HUGE touch screen. The sales manager at the local Ford agency was blunt. "EVERY one being delivered between now and mid-September is already spoken for and at least a deposit collected. And the extended range versions won't be arriving until December. And all of the summer/fall/winter deliveries are dependent on adequate supplies of microprocessor chips." He was turning away a cash in hand customer, so I don't think he was shining me on. Another Ford dealer told me "nothing for sale until October at the earliest".

 

[Bookbear]

Well, or is it? The navigation software is apparently outsourced to that map'n'soft company.

So that's the problem in today's world of third party suppliers. In the end Hyundai doesn't really do anything than buying parts, assemble them and slap their logo on it. (I am exaggerating on purpose, but you get my point.)

In the nav update instance, Hyundai provided that company with the system update stuff that changed the look of the interface and all the shenanigans with changing menus and location of settings, etc. That got combined with the map data. And the lack of information on exactly what the update would do is totally Hyundai.

 

[Bookbear]

The car is awesome. Period. I would buy it again. My car is affected by the recall and I don't have a solution at this point. I am keeping as many options open to myself as possible for as long as possible.

In the end, if I get a new pack at some point, or a buyback, I'll be fine.

If you're thinking you like the car, get it and you'll love it as long as you have a non-affected pack.

As is human, some people have a hard time sleeping others don't. Hyundai could definitely be better with communication, but so could a lot of others too. Don't overthink it. It's a great car.

Agreed!

 

[mmalc Crawford]

After VW's massive "clean diesel" fraud and as a former VW owner, it's not a company I would put on my "most likely to be trustworthy" list. But I am already seeing a number of ID4s on the road in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Sigh.
And after the EV1 etc. I might not have put my trust in GM. And, and and.
To a first approximation I'd rather acknowledge and be grateful for the fact that manufacturers are now delivering an increasing number of EVs that address and ever-wider range of market segments and evaluate them on their current merits (or otherwise).

 

[Bruce M.]

Sigh.
And after the EV1 etc. I might not have put my trust in GM. And, and and.
To a first approximation I'd rather acknowledge and be grateful for the fact that manufacturers are now delivering an increasing number of EVs that address and ever-wider range of market segments and evaluate them on their current merits (or otherwise).

Of course I'm glad car companies are building EVs in a variety of shapes and sizes. But to not consider a company's prior behavior when deciding whether or not to give them $40,000+ of my money seems pretty odd. I've had businesses treat me well and had businesses treat me badly. Guess which ones continue to get my business.

 

[Wildeyed]

I got my new battery installed last week. Other than the battery issue, I’ve had no problems with my KONA EV (2019 SEL) and I love it. Hyundai corporate and my local Hyundai dealership (Vacaville, CA, USA) made it all very easy for me…I didn’t even have to contact them about the battery replacement, they contacted me. So, I’m very happy with my KONA and recommend it to everyone that asks…of course I realize some other people may not have had such a positive experience, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. I would still consider the KONA EV if I were you…especially the newer models that aren’t on the battery safety recall list. You might even be able to buy a used 2019 with a new battery at a really great price. Have fun shopping for your EV!

You may literally be the first person (at least on this forum) to have received the battery replacement. I'd love it if you'd elaborate a bit on the timeline and experience.

 

[Jennifer]

Should I just avoid it at all costs? Was really considering the 2021 Kona or new updated 2022 Kona, but seeing all these issues people are going through with recalls, fires and problems etc.. really REALLY makes me nervous to even think to purchase one

what do you guys think?

I have a 2019 SEL and I love it. No problems until the recall. I think, however, I would go for a Tesla next time if I could afford it without the rebates. Simply because the charging network is far superior. That said there are a LOT of Teslas on the road now so you may have to face waits at the public chargers. And I think charging networks for non-Teslas will rapidly expand over the next couple of years as more people buy EVs.

 

[mmalc Crawford]

Of course I'm glad car companies are building EVs in a variety of shapes and sizes. But to not consider a company's prior behavior when deciding whether or not to give them $40,000+ of my money seems pretty odd. I've had businesses treat me well and had businesses treat me badly. Guess which ones continue to get my business.

I didn't suggest that there should be no consideration, however at this point for me the merits of the ID.4 — and the corporate direction as a whole (not least the roll-out of ElectrifyAmerica chargers) — outweigh VW's prior transgressions.

To try to make this relevant to this thread: by way of contrast I didn't feel particularly well treated by Hyundai — they haven't made it at all clear which vehicles are subject to the battery problem, recall, buy-back etc. One of the motivations for trading in my Kona was precisely uncertainly about its future — and indeed present (it wasn't clear whether I should constrain charging to 80% for example). I didn't want to be in the position of having to find a replacement vehicle at short notice should Hyundai suddenly seek to buy it back. So I've made it someone else's problem (this may be selfish, but I also hope someone else will be able to make an informed decision about the vehicle rather than having a situation forced on them).

 

[Karl C.]

My 2019 Kona EV has been absolutely great. Ive never had one single issue. My battery has given me 300+ miles for two years and now I'm getting a new battery. Hyundai has bent over backwards to accommodate. I never had to contact anyone or arrange anything in regards to my vehicle recalls. The battery will be installed next week and I don't expect any issues. Great company!

 

[Wildeyed]

My 2019 Kona EV has been absolutely great. Ive never had one single issue. My battery has given me 300+ miles for two years and now I'm getting a new battery. Hyundai has bent over backwards to accommodate. I never had to contact anyone or arrange anything in regards to my vehicle recalls. The battery will be installed next week and I don't expect any issues. Great company!

It's a bit near-sighted to call it "a great company" simply because things have worked out for you. If you've read any forum posts you would know that they are far from great.

 

[John Lumsden]

It's a bit near-sighted to call it "a great company" simply because things have worked out for you. If you've read any forum posts you would know that they are far from great.

Reading the posts it is apparent that there are significant differences in the strategies country importers are using to communicate and organise the traction battery rectification, and futhermore within country there can be some very helpful and proficient dealers and some that are not. So for some of us it looks like a great company, even if we have had battery issues, and to some they feel let down by comparison. I hope they are in the minority but cannot tell from the forum comments.
I do enjoy the many other topics that are covered here - it has added to my "owner satisfaction" in a number of ways, as well as finding out a great deal about how the car is built and works, and can be modified. (I'm sure I can find the right mesh size of leaf guttergard for the front grill rock guard in Tweak#257 !)

 

[Karl C.]

It's a bit near-sighted to call it "a great company" simply because things have worked out for you. If you've read any forum posts you would know that they are far from great.

Your right, things have worked out for me. We are actually on our Third Hyundai and have had great outcomes with all three.A lot has to do with the dealerships we have dealt with, they have also been Great. There are always going to be be many design issues and the follow up by the dealers that comes in the form of recalls. That goes for every brand.

 

[Wildeyed]

Your right, things have worked out for me. We are actually on our Third Hyundai and have had great outcomes with all three.A lot has to do with the dealerships we have dealt with, they have also been Great. There are always going to be be many design issues and the follow up by the dealers that comes in the form of recalls. That goes for every brand.

Any criticism I have of Hyundai has little to do with recalls. First of all, most of the "recalls" have actually been service campaigns - mostly software fixes. And there haven't been any more of those than most other cars I've owned. There are many people who will, including the original poster on this thread, who blow that all out of proportion and try to create a sense the EVERYTHING has gone wrong. It's just not true. The only real recall of any consequence has been the battery.
BUT...
Hyundai's communication with customers stinks. It stank 3 years ago when I pre-ordered the car and it stinks now. It's slow, it's incomplete, it's muddled, it's piecemeal, it's contradictory and all on a worldwide scale too! In short, it's not "great".