2020 Kona EV Quick Drive Review! Do The New Updates Improve A Solid EV? 

Thanks for the review, I've had my 2020 Kona EV since Jan 2020 in Canada. Have not put on the mileage I expected due to COVID but still love it. Everything in the video seems about right although I have the mid trim which works for me even minus the extra tech, happy we have the battery warmer standard in Canada though. No serious issues so far. Thanks for the great work keeping everybody up to date with the latest/greatest!

I have the 2019 Kona EV Limited. I am also a (robotic) software engineer for over 25 years. I have been doing all of my family's car repairs since I was 15. After a long hard research and comparison between the Kona EV and the Model 3, I went with the Kona EV. I do like the looks of the M3, but term of economics and practicality, the Kona EV is a better for my life style. Many people tout Tesla's over-the-air software update. While that may seems great and convenient to many people, I view it as software being incomplete or somebody had rushed out a product with deficiencies in software. Therefore, include over-the-air update is the solution for the problem. I also design test software for a company that makes laser used in LIDAR. Tesla may have all of the hardware ready in their cars for full autonomous, but I don't see that ever become a reality within the next 10 years (probably anyone who owns Tesla cars to about 2021 will never see the tech get turned on). I know Tesla uses radar instead of LIDAR, but either one will never get pass congress for full autonomous. Both technologies have their own critcal issues. Smart cruise control is and will be the best tech for a long time. As I am writing this, Cruise Automation is shutting down their building in Southern California and letting everyone go. Today is the last day for Cruise Automation in SoCal.

I'm glad you posted this (and several of your other reviews) before I made my decision to buy the 2020. Definitely glad the tail lights now come on when braking with the paddle. You also helped me get past the plastic center console that looks like a 7th grade theatre spacecraft hehe. I like it now. Thanks for the great review, keep 'em coming!

Great review!

If it had an electric adjustable passenger seat, I would have got one...Wife has disability and we bought our car based first on the passenger seat and than everything else.

A good friend of mine has a 2019 Kona Electric, and I had the chance to drive it. The only things I didn't like about it were: spins the front wheels way too easily (even when being gentle with the accelerator pedal), and the rear suspension is bouncy. Otherwise, it's a very fine car. Although a bit pricey if you don't have government rebates or incentives. Nice to hear about the 2020 updates. Those "sounds of nature" also made me laugh when I updated the infotainment system in my 2018 AWD Kia Stinger GT Limited last weekend and saw/heard that. Thanks for the quick review!

When are you reviewing the Leaf Plus?

Yes Kyle 12000 dollars off a bolt in my area Ohio. Not just east coast.

Hope you can get a Kia Niro EV to do the same range test for comparison...

Cloud you make a comparison of regen braking ? Not by paper values but by measuring actual deacellaration? I think most peak power from datasheets will not be reached.

Hi .what I know of the 2020 Kona is they have addressed a couple of your Nigal’s.one being the app on the phone and the other charge time settings. But I do agree with your overall views on the car. I found it to be a little expensive for its size. We chose the Kia e Niro we ordered in April of 2019 but got it on the10 July 2020. As a result we got the updated modal with all the features that it should of had at launch, UVO app battery heater much improved infotainment system. Great car but yes I do wish all electric cars could have a supercharger type of charging system.that for me is were Tesla wins hands down.

Have you had a chance to compare the Hyundai Kona EV ultimate with the Nissan Ariya yet? Have test driven the Kona EV Ultimate and very impressive.

Love the kona 2020 EV. Smooth and reliable for new drivers on the road. Especially with non- collision and lane assistance

The Kona is awesome but my issue when considering to one one of the many EV's on the market is about time you buy this tip of the line Kona you can just by a Tesla Model 3/Model Y and take advantage of all that Tesla offers including access to one of if not the best charging networks in the world.

one question pls how long is the battery warranty on the Kona? which is best 4 manitence costs? new 2 EV's might trade in fall for one ??Also sub'd today TY 4 info want longest battery Wtty possible !

So the cool blind -spot head up display safety mirror pop up thingy is never available on the Limited Trim? (it's only a ''Ultimate Trim'' thing ????

Great review, thank you

Gathering info on electric cars any chance getting info on Kia Niro Thanks

I was surprised how easily you dismissed the Kona EV only being for sale in 13 states. I considered one, but there was no way I was going to fly to another state and then own a car that a local dealer couldn’t service. That’s a big roadblock to ownership for most buyers. I do agree it’s the best non-Tesla EV. But Hyundai/Kia need to roll their EVs out to all states if they want to be a serious EV player.

Apparently made in China LG batteries were the culprit for this year's massive recall and 2021 models have SKI batteries, according to my local hyundai dealership. Ended up getting ultimate trim just like yours. love it so far

How has the Kona been for winter driving? I have an AWD Mits RVR and Tucson and love never worrying about getting stuck. I am a little concerned about handling in snowy and icy conditions (for the five times I may need it here in BC😉). The Volvo XC40 will have AWD but it will probably be a considerably more expensive proposition, as awesome as it is looking. Thanks

Despite what many people and Hyundai say. The very fact that Hyundai don’t offer the Kona Electric in all states, proves they are a compliance car. Which also makes me wonder, if something goes wrong or the car needs repair after a bump. How long will the car be in the garage for repair? If it’s anything like Britain, it could take weeks to months just the get the spares.

Kyle, with the recent price drop from Tesla, Model3 SR+ is the same price as Kona Ultimate. I'm unsure what move to make now! I like the LKA and adapted cruise control on the Kona...

As soon as you pull the regen, the brake lights are on?? Or the brake lights are on only when it comes to a complete stop?

The price to charge is based on the brand of vehicle?

Kyle, I can tell when you are making selections on the touch screen, either the hardware or software appears really slow compared to others. Thoughts?

you must be Italian talking with your hands. its very engaging😂. i'm actually looking to go from a ICE vehicle and been researching alot of electric vehicles. i would like a tesla model 3, but the monthly payment for those cars is insane unless you put down alot of money. but hyundai kona sounds like a good choice :)

You mentioned a roof box. With the naked roof, what rack systems have a setup for the Kona EV? I'm having difficulty finding one for my 2020.

I recently bought a 2020 Kona EV ultimate with 32000 km. the advertised km. range is 440km. BUT, charging with the 110 v unit that comes with the car the battery level showed 491 km. fully charged. A little mystifying! The only thing I thought is that under warranty the main battery pack may have been changed to an improved unit. ANY comments?

I'm in rented bolt ev now and must add that looking at warranty... seems hyunday has a lot more coverage ( than chevy ) 10yr/100k miles...

I have a 2019 Kona EV Ultimate and I have this winter mode already. Not new for 2020. Maybe because I live in Ontario, Canada?

I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on one of these. Should I be very concerned about driving in the snow? I'm in Colorado

wouldnt Niro EV be a better choice, it being bigger inside?

i bought a 2020 bolt loaded for 26K. Kona way more expensive and the kona is a complacence car. I couldn't even test drive one in Ohio and the dealer told me they would not ever get any. Your review left out to many important facts.

I wish it would all be a better design coming up 2021 better round back will be awesome or tail The back shop top light that doesn't look that good Or around bumper would look awesome Or better design think thank you

A series of fires prompted mass recalls of Hyundai's best-selling Kona EV in South Korea in October. In South Korea, Hyundai has recalled 25,564 Kona EVs built during September 2017 to March 2020 due to the risk of short circuit possibly caused by faulty manufacturing of its high-voltage battery cells. Story source: www.reuters.com/article/us-hyundai-motor-kona-ev/south-korea-probes-adequacy-of-hyundais-kona-ev-recall-after-new-fire-ministry-official-idUSKBN29V0CW

Thanks for the review. The spinning tires kind of ruins the car for me :/ does changing the tires fix that problem?

Did you still notice a high pitched "hissing" motor noise when accelerating/regening on your 2020? I have a 2019 Preferred (Canada) and have had it for close to a year now. This is still my biggest pet peeve about the Kona, I truly wish they could somehow fix this :(

No 4 wheel drive?

The kona has a 69kw battery but you can only use 64kw of it It's important to note that hyundia tell you the use able kW 8n there model many others do not so psa have a 50kw battery but you can only access 45.5 kW. So kona has a very large battery and if we could access a bit more wow it would be a fantastic,

I have a Kona.cool

Kona or id4 ?

With the high voltage battery software update for the 2019 model kona the brake lights stay on when using the left steering wheel paddle: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3Cqx1d6HW8Y.html

Anyone here having problems connecting a 2020 Kona SE using a NEMA 10-30 dryer outlet?

Stock tires can be replaced by pretty much any Bridgestone or Michelin with way better grip and handling.

#notavailablenationwide hurts it a lot

I have winter mode in my September 18 top spec kona in the uk. Does the new model actually do anything different? I don't generally use the brake pedal - I drive spirited and in hilly areas - and I have now changed my tyres from the nexens (after 40000 miles) but never had any major issues with them either braking or acceleration. Hopefully we will get more supply in europe, now we have a factory, so more people can enjoy it. I am surprised there is no new (bolt, eniro, esoul) competitors, with everyone fixated with smaller batteries. A bigger battery means I rarely have to push the extremes Still cant wait for the model y.....

I wish he would keep his hands on the steering wheel, even with lane keeping assist on!

If you pay more than 32k for a fully loaded Bolt Premier in the RDU area, you are being fleeced.

Nice৷ ভালো

Is that a syrup?

Half a mile difference. Not even worth mentioning, as putting the heater/AC on or even going up a hill can diminish that 1/2 mile pretty easily. Or temp difference in tyres or ambient temps.

Bearded Tesla guys cousin?

Yeah, I can go to Maryland and get one. That's only an 8 hour drive one way from where I live. And yes, I live on the east coast. I live in Georgia. Get real. As much as I would like to be able to consider buying one of these, if they are only available in ZEV states, then It's not available to me.

Sounds of nature....Coffee shop noise made by humans 🤔🤔lol Car looks awesome tho!

Kona is too expensive - dealers can’t sell them because no incentives while Bolt 2021 are flying off the lots - Hyundai is doing nothing while they sit on lots as well as the Niro- it’s over prices for the size

too small.

Boring…..

When are you reviewing the Leaf Plus?