Connie drives a Hyundai Kona Electric 150kW 2021.
This is Connie’s first electric car, she’s owned the Kona Electric less than a year and drives 5,000-10,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 5,000-10,000 miles and she achieves 220 miles from a full charge.
Why did you choose the Hyundai Kona Electric?
- Range – needed to be able to do 250 miles round trip confidently. It’s a stretch though and finding fast charger to boost on trip not as easy as we’d hoped.
- size – compact SUV so not too large but has benefit of good rear seat space and high rise height.
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Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car
- Size – compact but roomy, easy to manoeuvre especially with camera and sensor
- drive – so smooth and assured to drive, none of the nervy handling of the MG EV we tested
- range – although we struggle to do the 250mile round trip needed, the range is standout when compared to a Renault Zoe or a Nissan LEAF.
Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car
Charging point availability – finding this very stressful on regular 250 mile round trip I have to do regularly. Finding points available when we need them is one challenge, paying in the relevant App is hellish and has left me vulnerable as a lone woman driver several times. It’s such a worry that the pleasure of the drive in so many other ways maybe surrendered back to petrol if we can’t find a resolution.
Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?
Taking over the Bluelink account was tricky and still not fully activated as I can’t share the info with my other half. Disconnecting from the charger is often an issue too; I have to use the app to lock and unlock the car which will be an issue at some point when it’s hubby charging and I’m the one with the app. Otherwise, issues are all to do with us learning how to use the features and what various alerts means.
What are the standout technological features of the car?
- Manoeuvring sensors and camera
- safety info – love the auto speed limit sensor
- rather in love with the heated seats and the fact that doesn’t seem to use battery capacity.
Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car
Love the car but not sure much is unique to the Kona Electric. Lumbar support for the driver is very nice & the heated seats and steering wheel which don’t drain the battery are much enjoyed!
What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?
None right now, only just bought a nearly new car so it’ll be 5+ years before we contemplate switching.
Do you charge your electric car from home?
No
Do you use public charging networks?
Yes
What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?
All depends on whether you can get on in the first place. That’s my huge stress when travelling.
- Morrisons charge good (time for a good bacon sandwich while you wait)
- Tesco works well though you only get about half the power but we’ve adapted our shopping to suit
- IONITY and bp pulse had issues with paying online/by app and have been left stranded so very unhappy and stressed
What is an RFID card and how can I use one confidently? It feels like a language I can’t speak.
Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not!) owning & running your Kona Electric
With the increase in electricity costs and only able to use paid-for charging, I’m not sure we’re saving yet. The investment to install a home charger is tricky as we know we’ll move so convenience and peace of mind vs unrecoverable cost is not saving £. The cost to buy upfront was higher than petrol. Eco motivation and belief we will save in long term mean we’re trying to stay with it and the driving experience is fab!
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