U.S.-spec 2018 Hyundai Kona
02-09-18, 05:59 PM
#16
that's the same thing. Volt and Ioniq are extended-range hybrid sedan/hatches and the Bolt and Kona are pure EV..And if its apples and oranges then there is little overlap, since one has the ability to sip gas despite both being able to be plugged in.
Hence they can co-exist
02-09-18, 06:00 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
I think it's Elon who should be worried. He's still waiting for his German automation equipment to come over to Freemont and wants you to look at his Roadster in space. I really like the Model 3, but fit/finish issues are holding up production. This is stuff that all the major automakers do in their sleep, Hyundai/Kia included.
02-09-18, 06:10 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
that's the same thing. Volt and Ioniq are extended-range hybrid sedan/hatches and the Bolt and Kona are pure EV..And if its apples and oranges then there is little overlap, since one has the ability to sip gas despite both being able to be plugged in.
Hence they can co-exist
OK.....I partly see what you are getting at. There is, in fact, an all-electric Ioniq that would have a hard time co-existing with a Kona all-electric, but that Ioniq EV is only available in CA. So, in the other states, it would not be a factor. I did not notice, at first, that the Ioniq electric was only for CA....but that's sometimes the case with pure electrics, because of CA's good infrastructure-program for them.
02-09-18, 06:16 PM
#19
Lexus Champion
I'll be surprised, though, if Hyundai actually releases a full-electric version of the Kona in the U.S. It would (likely) compete too closely with Hyundai's own all-electric Ioniq coming up.
https://m.hyundaiusa.com/ioniq-electric/
https://m.hyundaiusa.com/ioniq-electric/
02-09-18, 06:20 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Well, we'll see. You might be right. There are about the same size, but the Kona does, as you infer, have a ground-clearance advantage.
02-09-18, 07:08 PM
#21
Lexus Champion
^^^ It also has a useable interior space advantage for people who need that, especially a younger family with a child or two who need to commute short distances. The Ioniq is likely aimed at single or dual commuters who just need range etc. It's just a market segment strategy, just like Lexus customers can have an ES or they can opt for an RX. Both of these come in regular or hybrid. The electric thing is just a way for Hyundai/Kia to get ahead of a potential electric surge.
02-28-18, 05:08 PM
#22
Hyundai Kona Electric SUV revealed
The Hyundai Kona Electric looks like its hybrid siblings, with the biggest visual difference up front, with its closed grille. That's also where the car's plug resides. It features LED daytime running lights above its LED headlights. The Kona Electric offers a two-tone roof, and seven different exterior paint color offerings.
On paper, at least, the Kona Electric is pretty compelling. The long-range, 292-mile version features a 64-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack supplying power to a 150-kW (201-horsepower) electric motor. It does 0-62 miles per hour in a respectable 7.6 seconds, with a top speed of 103 mph. The base version's 39-kWh battery offers 186 miles of driving range, and a 99-kW (133-horsepower) electric motor. It does 0-62 in a more leisurely 9.3 seconds.
Inside the car, the Kona Electric features a pair of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel that allow the driver to dial in the preferred amount of regenerative braking force. A seven-inch digital display in the instrument cluster is accompanied by a head-up display providing key information directly in front of the driver. The car's infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging.
The Kona Electric offers a number of driver assist features for safety and convenience. These include forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, intelligent speed limit warning and smart high. It also offers smart cruise control with stop-and-go capability to make those traffic jams a little more bearable.
On paper, at least, the Kona Electric is pretty compelling. The long-range, 292-mile version features a 64-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack supplying power to a 150-kW (201-horsepower) electric motor. It does 0-62 miles per hour in a respectable 7.6 seconds, with a top speed of 103 mph. The base version's 39-kWh battery offers 186 miles of driving range, and a 99-kW (133-horsepower) electric motor. It does 0-62 in a more leisurely 9.3 seconds.
Inside the car, the Kona Electric features a pair of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel that allow the driver to dial in the preferred amount of regenerative braking force. A seven-inch digital display in the instrument cluster is accompanied by a head-up display providing key information directly in front of the driver. The car's infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging.
The Kona Electric offers a number of driver assist features for safety and convenience. These include forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, intelligent speed limit warning and smart high. It also offers smart cruise control with stop-and-go capability to make those traffic jams a little more bearable.
03-01-18, 08:08 AM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
292 mi range! 
looks GREAT too.
looks GREAT too.
03-01-18, 01:42 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
We sat in the Kona at the Toronto Auto Show. I think they had four of them. There were very cheaply built on the inside. The tablet idea is not very classy on the model. I should note it did not look like Hoovey's pic
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 03-01-18 at 01:47 PM.
03-01-18, 01:49 PM
#27
Lexus Champion
03-01-18, 01:50 PM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
This would be it. It was pretty pathetic on the inside. The tablet was not classy because it felt really cheap. Pretty sure they were all base models, so that did not help on impressions.
03-01-18, 02:57 PM
#29
Lexus Champion
06-03-18, 05:24 PM
#30
Lexus Champion
Bringing this thread back... I have been seeing the Kona all over South Florida. It seems they're really a hit with the younger crowd down here. I like the overall look of it but one thing that I didn't realize is how ugly the headlight/taillight area is. The black plastic on the wheel arches extend around the light cluster and looks pretty terrible. The separate light cluster was enough of a radical styling cue, and surrounding it in ugly black plastic accentuates it unflatteringly.