[Love4Cars]

Hi Shankar Sir,

I am in the similar boat like you and closely tracking your posts on the buying decision. I am looking for an EV with budget around 20L. Currently evaluating Mahindra XUV 400 EL Pro, ZS EV Executive and Kona.

Kona currently has a whopping Rs 4L discount right now from Hyundai (Without negotiating). Not considering Nexon as with less than Rs 70K in Ex Showroom for top end models, Kona CKD quality is miles ahead of Nexon. Only worry is that, Kona is dated, has lower GC, NMC Battery and I will miss few features mention in above posts.

Attaching the quote for Gurgaon Registration without Insurance.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Love4Cars

Hi Shankar Sir,
Kona currently has a whopping Rs 4L discount right now from Hyundai (Without negotiating). Not considering Nexon as with less than Rs 70K in Ex Showroom for top end models, Kona CKD quality is miles ahead of Nexon. Only worry is that, Kona is dated, has lower GC, NMC Battery and I will miss few features mention in above posts.
.

Thanks!

I agree with all that you have said. As you know, I have been test driving and researching EV’s as a serious option for consideration over these last 3 months. At length, I state that as per my estimation and need/ want state, out of all the choices presently available in the Indian Market, the Hyundai Kona represents the best balance of Quality, Build, Reliability, Price, Range, Essential Features, fit, finish, finesse, comfort, driving-feel, acceleration, selectable regeneration, robustness, handling, efficiency, running and maintenance/ service costs and its quirkiness in terms of looks.

The present advantageous tax regime on EV’s plus the additional portion of Income taxes saved, through Company leasing, is the icing on the cake and makes this a very compelling proposition. On top of that is the sales interaction and experience which hitherto has been very pleasant and Hyundai’s really good service network.

I want one and am very likely going to buy one. I am also finding the same kind of discounts on prices in Bangalore. Ultimately, the on road price may hit the 20 mark. And that, I think is a very fair price for what is on offer. It’s a very good car all things considered. And my own thinking is I want to keep it for a long time to come.

This is from a self confessed stubborn ICE aficionado and I think this can perhaps make others also think on similar lines. Just consider this an alternate fuelled vehicle. Forget all the ‘greenie’ stuff. And simply consider the price of fossil fuel as compared with the price of electricity.

All things being considered, it seems to me to make eminent sense and at this moment, it is appealing greatly to my Heart and to my Head, both.

Let us see how it all pans out. I will update further as we move along.

[shankar.balan]

Seeking opinions on these specific Michelin tyres and their suitability for the Kona as compared to the stock Nexen. Is it worth upgrading the tyres to Michelin which is a much better brand, straight from the showroom?

[mally2]

Probably will take a hit on the range as EVs come with low resistance tyres

[aim120]

Kona spare parts in Boodmo is very expensive, not sure how it will be economical on the long run. Even fender bender would be a expensive. On top of that this version is discontinued everywhere else, meaning its resale value would be really low, especially considering it has a Lipo battery.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by mally2

Probably will take a hit on the range as EVs come with low resistance tyres

Originally Posted by aim120

Kona spare parts in Boodmo is very expensive not meaning its resale value would be really low, especially considering it has a Lipo battery.

1. The Kona comes with OEM Nexen tyres. These aren’t ‘EV’ tyres and there is no information about these being of low rolling resistance etc. I have also seen Konas with Goodyear Excellence which aren’t a special EV tyre either. Now, Nexen being a harder-than-normal tyre, and inflated to a higher degree of the recommended 36 PSI all around, will probably help range and last longer. But I have not seen any documentary evidence to prove this nor quantify it. We believe that whereas Michelin, being a sticky tyre, will help grippiness, but may reduce range to some extent and probably last less long, even if inflated to the recommended pressure. However, one makes gains by way of Michelin Quality, Performance and Brand.

2. I guess that everyone knows that the Kona V1, in its present CKD assembled Avatar in India, is a 5-6 year old design and more or less, an end-of-lifecycle Product. (This is also very probably the main driving force behind the discounts presently on offer. Accelerated Liquidation of stocks of CKD kits and all that.)
2 a. And yes, Internationally there was always a normal range Kona with the 39.2 KWH Li Polymer battery (which is what we get here) and a longer range car with a 50KWH battery (which was never offered here). Yes, indeed, EV technology is fast evolving and Im sure that (like mobile phones and TV’s, the each technology will become obsolete at a much faster rate than ever before. Accelerated obsolescence maybe.
2 b. We also know that there is already a Kona V2 being sold in foreign markets but that has not come here so far and there is no honest and confirmed news that it will ever come here at all.
2 c. It is definitely possible that the parts on Boodmo and other places can be expensive, but I do understand that Hyundai has a very good reputation for looking after the cars and their customers. (Even though it is a long time (~24 years) since I personally owned or had a Hyundai, though my Parents had one more recently and that was a good car.)
2 d. It is also a very palpable and tangible fact, that the CKD Euro Spec Hyundai vehicles are totally different in fit, finish, feel, finesse, quality and materials than those built in India to meet a ‘cost’, are.
2 e. In ref to resale. Im not sure how many cars in our world have any kind of ‘guaranteed resale’ other than perhaps a Toyota Innova or Fortuner. In any case, it is better when considering the purchase of a car, to look at its overall suitability and use-ability based on one’s ‘need’ state plus its desirability based on one’s ‘want’ state and of course, its ‘affordability’ based on the state of one’s pocket. And as has been often spoken, to try and keep it for a period of time, provided it continues to remain both suitable and desirable to the buyer/ owner.

Saying all of the above, as I have aired earlier on this thread, out of the entire crop of EV’s presently available in the Indian market, the Hyundai Kona represents the best ‘balance’ considering multiple parameters, most of which I have listed in that post.

These facts make it (to me for sure), a highly compelling value proposition.

In a way, as a sort of affirmation, of late, in just the last 3 weeks, in my immediate neighbourhood, I have seen quite a few privately owned Konas parked here and there; Black (1), White (2), Grey (1), Maroony-Red (1), not counting the 1 White and 1 Blue Test Konas.

There must be some electric charge in the Air, which is not ‘Static’ or St Elmo’s Fire!

Perhaps, I too, am becoming ‘electrified’ and absorbing ‘charge’.

(Purely in a lighter vein)

[padmrajravi]

Kona may feel value for money at this point with 20L on road in most states after the discount. But the Creta EV is just around the corner and will probably use the new-gen Kona's internals. I think it will be in 25-30 L price range and Hyundai will discontinue Kona once it is launched. If they had any intention of continuing the Kona brand name, the facelift would have been here already. Considering advanced tech in Creta EV and its brand recall, it is better to wait for Creta EV at this point. Once it gets launched, and Kona brand is discontinued, the resale price of Kona will be around 10-15 L depending on the age.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by padmrajravi

Kona brand is discontinued, the resale price of Kona will be around 10-15 L depending on the age.

OLX has a couple of Konas at pretty high prices. Bound to reduce.
But hey, I appreciate all that you say.
But amongst the VFM choices of today, the Kona has a certain ‘Soul’ which the Creta and others haven’t got.

[mally2]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

OLX has a couple of Konas at pretty high prices. Bound to reduce.
But hey, I appreciate all that you say.
But amongst the VFM choices of today, the Kona has a certain ‘Soul’ which the Creta and others haven’t got.

Why not consider a used Kona. Would one get it for 14-15L when new ones are 20L

[Love4Cars]

Used Kona or any car is out of question for folks like Shankar and me too, opting for Company Lease.

With tax savings, it comes out equivalent to current used car prices or even less with current discounts.

Yes it is old, dated, with expensive parts in case of any unfortunate event.
But compared to a Creta EV, this has exclusivity, CKD build quality, Euro 5 Star rating and currently much cheaper price than upcoming Creta EV launch.

Also, another observation from Jan 2024 Car dispatches, Kona had 120 units compared to around 20 in previous months. Clearly, they may discontinue it soon and are clearing inventory before Creta EV launch.

However that is also a good opportunity to buy one of one's heart is set on this wonderful car.

We have a Jeep Compass AT Petrol, Jimny AT and an Ecosport Diesel MT - all discontinued models / company even. But happy with an exclusive garage and services for are all satisfactory.

To summarise, if you want a Kona, get a Kona now as this is the best time!

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Love4Cars

Used Kona or any car is out of question for folks like Shankar and me too, opting for Company Lease.

To summarise, if you want a Kona, get a Kona now as this is the best time!

Originally Posted by mally2

Why not consider a used Kona. Would one get it for 14-15L when new ones are 20L

1. 100%. Brand new is the only option.
2. Exclusivity - yes indeed.
3. The new ones are at the end of their lifecycle so might as well go for new.

Anyway in my case the die is getting cast as we speak.
I am in the process of booking one in White Single Tone.
And thereafter the Company leasing process will take over.

[Love4Cars]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Anyway in my case the die is getting cast as we speak.
I am in the process of booking one in White Single Tone.

Do let us know the final OTR Price and breakup of possible. It may help me or any other prospect in negotiating.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Love4Cars

Do let us know the final OTR Price and breakup of possible. It may help me or any other prospect in negotiating.

In Bangalore the Kona (single tone - colour white) can be procured for nearabout Rs 20 lacs including Insurance, Extended Warranty on Wiring and Gearbox, Fastag and Taxes. This is via Company lease.

[SakJel]

Hello,

In Hyderabad I am getting a 2 car deal for straight 5L discount per car, self insurance and all, if anyone wants to club in and take together please let me know.

Cheers

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by SakJel

Hello,

In Hyderabad I am getting a 2 car deal for straight 5L discount per car, self insurance and all, if anyone wants to club in and take together please let me know.

Cheers

Nice. What is the on road price in Hyd after this discount?