Talking Cars 440: Driving the Hyundai Kona EV
We also answer audience questions about the limited life of an EV’s 12-volt battery, and we’re tasked with designing a car of our own creation
Main theme: This podcast focuses on our first impressions of the redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric. For this second generation, Hyundai says the Kona was designed as an EV from the outset, with the hybrid version playing second fiddle—the opposite of what the Korean automaker did with the original model.
The new Kona is a bit larger and feels more substantial but, as before, it’s only available with front-wheel drive. Our panelists explain that there is a lot to like about the new Kona, especially when you take into account that it’s one of the more budget-friendly EVs, yet still offers a driving range of over 250 miles. Although we found the EV powertrain smooth, peppy, and well-tuned, it’s important to remember this isn’t a luxury model; meaning, it doesn’t deliver the kind of ultra-hushed cabin that many EVs can claim.
Audience Questions
• Has CR done any research on whether today’s 12-volt batteries are powerful enough for EVs?
• If you could design a car where you source the powertrain, chassis, infotainment system, interior, etc., from any automaker, what kind of a vehicle would you build? The only criteria is that it has to be something you would buy yourself.
As with other “Talking Cars With Consumer Reports” episodes, this one is available free through Apple Podcasts. (Subscribe to the audio or video.) You’ll also find the audio on Spotify (log-in required) and video on YouTube.
• 2024 Top Picks, episode 439
• Driving the Kia EV9, episode 438
• Driving the Lexus TX, episode 437
• Chevrolet Blazer EV Woes, episode 436
• Highlights, Hype, and AI From CES 2024, episode 435
Have a Question?
We’d love to include it in a future show. Upload your video questions to our Dropbox folder. Please send high-definition (1920x1080) MP4 video files with high-quality audio. Or send an iMessage question to our TalkingCars@icloud.com account.
Review: Hyundai Kona Electric
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