Hyundai Kona Electric - 64 kWh with range up to 470km coming later this year

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Hyundai Kona Electric - 64 kWh with range up to 470km coming later this year

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214 posts

Master Geek

#2209420 2-Apr-2019 14:15

I would agree. That a dealer was willing to even suggest that a buyer take on such a ridiculous cost indicates a big gap between customer service and just selling stuff, something I find regrettably common in NZ retail.

Early adopters paid the asking price for these cars to get the market going and should be better treated.

Dingbatt

6758 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2209449 2-Apr-2019 15:05

I guess Hyundai NZ might say that if they hadn’t sourced the Irish Konas we would still be waiting for the first ones to arrive (NZ specced of course).
Must be something about the Irish market because I have watched more than one car reviewer there complain about the downspeccing of their vehicles when compared to English ones. Not just Hyundai either.

$4600 + GST buys a really nice tablet and an awful lot of data.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

KiwiME

214 posts

Master Geek

#2209462 2-Apr-2019 15:28

Dingbatt: I guess Hyundai NZ might say that if they hadn’t sourced the Irish Konas we would still be waiting for the first ones to arrive (NZ speced of course).
Must be something about the Irish market because I have watched more than one car reviewer there complain about the downspeccing of their vehicles when compared to English ones. ...

Well, it's not like they're in business to do us favours. We seem to pay the highest price in the world and the importer and dealers make damn good money on these transactions. But their collective after-sales behaviour, having taken advantage of the early adopter windfall, is what will determine if I and perhaps others will buy from them again. Many of last year's Kona buyers may have opted for the e-Niro if they had to wait till now, and the one model now available is better equipped than the base Kona at the same price (LED headlights, leather seats, front parking sensors, and a whole lot more room in the back).

It's a puzzle as to why the one Kona model available in Ireland does not seem to match either of our 2018 models. Ours must have been based on Irish regulatory specifications rather than how Irish market cars were optioned. But personally, I much prefer the turn signal stalk on the left, as with German cars and every LHD car.

justin5

102 posts

Master Geek

#2209561 2-Apr-2019 17:09

frednz:

justin5:

KiwiME:

The new Elite has an "Elite" badge on the back and there is a chrome trim along the hatch cover above the handle feature that I don't recall being on the earlier model, could be wrong, I've not seen many of that earlier version.

The one I saw in Taupo was white with a black roof, looked very nice. I wonder what the new base model Kona Electric will look like? I have seen a photo of the smaller centre display with NAV fitted but the giveaway will be if the shark fin antenna is still present as mine has a "stick" type, so only for radio signals.

My Elite has an "Elite" badge on the back...no chrome trim along the hatch cover, though.

Just heard back from Hyundai NZ re changing my AVN unit in my Irish-specced Kona so I can have NZ NAV and Maps...read on...

"Thank you for contacting Hyundai New Zealand.

I have consulted the service team and nfortunately the AVN Unit in your vehicle will have to be replaced to a different unit used in the “NZ Spec” Kona. The cost of the unit and mapping software will be approximately $4600 + GST.

We still cannot confirm that this will work as it is untested."

Yeah...well...I don't feel quite so keen to change the unit out now, eh! :-o

You know, if I was in charge of Hyundai NZ I would change it over for free, but perhaps I'm not a good manager! I would do this for the positive publicity this would generate for Hyundai and also because I wouldn't want you to pay $5,290 and then find it won't work. I think the early adopters of the Kona EV have done a really good job in providing positive publicity for the EV Kona, so I would see that this doesn't go unrewarded!

I wish you could make that happen for me, frednz hehe

justin5

102 posts

Master Geek

#2209565 2-Apr-2019 17:14

KiwiME:

I would agree. That a dealer was willing to even suggest that a buyer take on such a ridiculous cost indicates a big gap between customer service and just selling stuff, something I find regrettably common in NZ retail.

Early adopters paid the asking price for these cars to get the market going and should be better treated.

I am not sure Hyundai NZ knew, early on, that NAV wouldn't work in NZ with the Irish-spec Kona EVs...it was disappointing to find out much later, after paying my deposit, that it wouldn't work here.

I was offered the possiblity to delay my purchase...to wait for the NZ/OZ spec, but I just couldn't wait. So, it was always going to be my problem to get the NAV working....but I am surprised at the amazing expense :-o

I'd love to think us early adopters got some good deal like you think too, though.

justin5

102 posts

Master Geek

#2209571 2-Apr-2019 17:22

Dingbatt: I guess Hyundai NZ might say that if they hadn’t sourced the Irish Konas we would still be waiting for the first ones to arrive (NZ specced of course).
Must be something about the Irish market because I have watched more than one car reviewer there complain about the downspeccing of their vehicles when compared to English ones. Not just Hyundai either.

$4600 + GST buys a really nice tablet and an awful lot of data.

Hyundai NZ were much more keen to get Kona EVs in to the NZ market than Hyundai OZ...maybe I can blame Australia for being so lame in EV uptake and, therefore, the lack of OZ/NZ NAV capability when I wanted a Kona?

The Irish spec Kona EVs were the best choice for NZ (before the OZ/NZ spec) because they were English language, metric, and right-hand drive...I understand why Hyundai NZ brought them in.

And yes, $4600 + GST does buy a nice tablet and a LOT of data....but this fussy car owner likes everything to work as it should WITHOUT extra clutter hehehe.

I know, I know, I need to let some things go haha

KiwiME

214 posts

Master Geek

#2209582 2-Apr-2019 17:48

justin5:...but I am surprised at the amazing expense :-o

You can imagine the parts person going through the parts database which has a locked parts/assembly hierarchy. The only way the maps/firmware applicability is going to work is if the HW is the same country as the maps., hence the quote. I can't see why the hardware would not be the same even if its p/n differed by country. This is a job for the aftermarket, a shame there's such a small owner base.

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justin5

102 posts

Master Geek

#2209625 2-Apr-2019 18:01

KiwiME:

justin5:...but I am surprised at the amazing expense :-o

You can imagine the parts person going through the parts database which has a locked parts/assembly hierarchy. The only way the maps/firmware applicability is going to work is if the HW is the same country as the maps., hence the quote. I can't see why the hardware would not be the same even if its p/n differed by country. This is a job for the aftermarket, a shame there's such a small owner base.

Aftermarket probably would get my NAV going ASAP for a much better price...Yury Botkov on NZ EV Owners group on Facebook could be the man to sort it, but two things hold me back.

1. I am not on Facebook so I can't contact Yury...I can read the open group's posts, but I just cannot bring myself to join FB. Need I explain why? hehe

2. I'd lose my 3 year Hyundai NZ warranty.

To have the NAV showing up on my Heads Up Display as well as on my AV screen would be amazing, though....I guess you saw how good that is when you saw the NZ spec Kona EV Elite?

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2209774 2-Apr-2019 20:41

justin5:

I am not sure Hyundai NZ knew, early on, that NAV wouldn't work in NZ with the Irish-spec Kona EVs...it was disappointing to find out much later, after paying my deposit, that it wouldn't work here.

I was offered the possiblity to delay my purchase...to wait for the NZ/OZ spec, but I just couldn't wait. So, it was always going to be my problem to get the NAV working....but I am surprised at the amazing expense :-o

I'd love to think us early adopters got some good deal like you think too, though.

That's what I didn't like about the situation, that is, that Hyundai were asking for a deposit but couldn't say in the early stages what the final specifications, delivery date, or price would be (a most unusual situation).

Because of this, I suppose there's a chance that if this situation was aired on the TV program "Fair Go", Hyundai may update for free the built-in NAV to work in NZ conditions in order to gain positive customer support for the brand. But, do you think Hyundai is legally obliged to provide free updates just because it delivered an Irish-specd Kona that owners knew would be the case, even if they were informed of this only a short time before delivery was made?

From an ethical viewpoint, what I don't think is too good is that, people paid deposits which in some cases Hyundai held for several months (interest free) before it was made clear to these purchasers that the Kona that would be delivered wasn't fully NZ-specd.

justin5

102 posts

Master Geek

#2210221 3-Apr-2019 17:27

frednz:

That's what I didn't like about the situation, that is, that Hyundai were asking for a deposit but couldn't say in the early stages what the final specifications, delivery date, or price would be (a most unusual situation).

Because of this, I suppose there's a chance that if this situation was aired on the TV program "Fair Go", Hyundai may update for free the built-in NAV to work in NZ conditions in order to gain positive customer support for the brand. But, do you think Hyundai is legally obliged to provide free updates just because it delivered an Irish-specd Kona that owners knew would be the case, even if they were informed of this only a short time before delivery was made?

From an ethical viewpoint, what I don't think is too good is that, people paid deposits which in some cases Hyundai held for several months (interest free) before it was made clear to these purchasers that the Kona that would be delivered wasn't fully NZ-specd.

You are right that my deposit was taken before full specs were revealed for Kona EVs...and certainly the delivery date kept moving!

I reckon I signed away any chance of taking a case to "Fair Go" (or anywhere else) when I picked up my (much loved) Kona EV Elite stating that I knew the NAV/Maps would not work. Some level of good will to help out would be nice, though....especially as the NZ specced ones are the same price as I paid.

My $5000 deposit (I could have paid only $2000 but did not think the wait would be so long) was held for almost 5 months earning no interest for me and, so I was told, my dealer earned no interest either.

Thanks for your thoughts/support, Frednz

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2215672 12-Apr-2019 12:34

justin5:

You are right that my deposit was taken before full specs were revealed for Kona EVs...and certainly the delivery date kept moving!

I reckon I signed away any chance of taking a case to "Fair Go" (or anywhere else) when I picked up my (much loved) Kona EV Elite stating that I knew the NAV/Maps would not work. Some level of good will to help out would be nice, though....especially as the NZ specced ones are the same price as I paid.

My $5000 deposit (I could have paid only $2000 but did not think the wait would be so long) was held for almost 5 months earning no interest for me and, so I was told, my dealer earned no interest either.

Thanks for your thoughts/support, Frednz

That's OK, as it turns out people who have already taken delivery of their 64 kWh Kona EVs have done well because the prices have recently been increased!

The "entry level" 64 kWh Konas are now $78,000 and the Elite Model is $84,000, so roll on Govt. EV purchase incentives!

So, the elite model has increased in price by $4,000, I wonder why this was necessary?

Delivery times don't seem to have improved much from what I can tell, you need to allow at least 6 months.

wellygary

8339 posts

Uber Geek

#2215745 12-Apr-2019 13:53

frednz:

The "entry level" 64 kWh Konas are now $78,000 and the Elite Model is $84,000, so roll on Govt. EV purchase incentives!

So, the elite model has increased in price by $4,000, I wonder why this was necessary?

Delivery times don't seem to have improved much from what I can tell, you need to allow at least 6 months.

looks like the UK got slugged with a similar price increase in November '18 ( to apply to all deliveries post March '19)

https://www.speakev.com/threads/kona-price-increase.130402/

KiwiME

214 posts

Master Geek

#2215810 12-Apr-2019 15:09

Only US$500 increase in the competitive US market and enough for this company to drop its recommendation. Mere pocket change for us. We really do get screwed in the global market ...

https://www.carsdirect.com/automotive-news/hyundai-raises-kona-ev-prices-up-to-500

But there are plenty of demo kms, therefore discountable base model Konas on dealer's lots here, and they're not moving very quickly.

I have seen two new base model cars in Napier with corporate markings, one Genesis and one Ravensdown. The base model is easy to distinguish by the stick-type radio antenna.

Meanwhile, I'm quite concerned about charger pricing that has a per-minute component. In Napier it's still $0.40/unit only, but just about everywhere else it's $0.25/unit plus $0.25/minute, which makes charging stupidly expensive.

With RUCs potentially looming our government needs to wake up if EV momentum is to be maintained. It's hard enough paying twice as much up front and I expect significant compensation in operating costs, especially if carbon-intensive industries are still receiving subsidies. Full points to Wel Networks and Countdown in Hamilton for providing (so far) free charging.

justin5

102 posts

Master Geek

#2215872 12-Apr-2019 16:53

frednz:

That's OK, as it turns out people who have already taken delivery of their 64 kWh Kona EVs have done well because the prices have recently been increased!

The "entry level" 64 kWh Konas are now $78,000 and the Elite Model is $84,000, so roll on Govt. EV purchase incentives!

So, the elite model has increased in price by $4,000, I wonder why this was necessary?

Delivery times don't seem to have improved much from what I can tell, you need to allow at least 6 months.

Wow....I could maybe sell my 5 month old Elite for as much as I bought it for!?!?

But then, it's too good a car to do that (so far, anyway). I just got 2 weeks of Auckland city driving from a 100% charge down to 19%.

Hmmmm...with that price increase, maybe the $4600+GST is an OK price to pay for NZ Nav/Maps to be added to my Elite! If only they could guarantee that it would work, though....

As they said: "We still cannot confirm (it) will work as it is untested."

justin5

102 posts

Master Geek

#2215873 12-Apr-2019 16:58

KiwiME:

Only US$500 increase in the competitive US market and enough for this company to drop its recommendation. Mere pocket change for us. We really do get screwed in the global market ...

https://www.carsdirect.com/automotive-news/hyundai-raises-kona-ev-prices-up-to-500

But there are plenty of demo kms, therefore discountable base model Konas on dealer's lots here, and they're not moving very quickly.

I have seen two new base model cars in Napier with corporate markings, one Genesis and one Ravensdown. The base model is easy to distinguish by the stick-type radio antenna.

Meanwhile, I'm quite concerned about charger pricing that has a per-minute component. In Napier it's still $0.40/unit only, but just about everywhere else it's $0.25/unit plus $0.25/minute, which makes charging stupidly expensive.

With RUCs potentially looming our government needs to wake up if EV momentum is to be maintained. It's hard enough paying twice as much up front and I expect significant compensation in operating costs, especially if carbon-intensive industries are still receiving subsidies. Full points to Wel Networks and Countdown in Hamilton for providing (so far) free charging.

I agree about the $0.25/unit plus $0.25/minute charging cost. Compared to the flat-rate $0.40/unit at other chargers, it is certainly quite a bit more expensive.

I suspect that the differences in fast-charger costs are down to where they are sited and the agreement made with landowners.

Thankfully, 90% of the time I charge at home, though :-)

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