2021 Tesla Model 3 or 2022 Hyundai Kona?
Discussion
We're looking at chopping in our current EV for something with more range.
The Model 3 has dramatically dropped in price recently (Thanks Elon!) and now a dual motor long range has come within budget.
We're looking at either this or the Hyundai Kona (Larger battery one)
I've found 2 cars to look at:
2021 - Tesla Model 3 - 77k miles - Long Range Dual Motor
2022 - Hundai Kona - 22k miles - 64kw Premium
Both are very similar price.
I'm just not sure if I can bite the bullet and go for Tesla!
The Hyundai (Along with the similar Kia Niro) get very good long term ownership reviews and a real world range of c.240-250 miles
The draw of the Tesla claimed 390 mile range is strong though, is this realistic? What are they like in the real world?
Are there any known problems or issues on the Model 3?
To get one in a similar price range (sub £15k) they are all 60-70k miles+ is this a gamble?
Any help or advice would be appreciated!
The Model 3 has dramatically dropped in price recently (Thanks Elon!) and now a dual motor long range has come within budget.
We're looking at either this or the Hyundai Kona (Larger battery one)
I've found 2 cars to look at:
2021 - Tesla Model 3 - 77k miles - Long Range Dual Motor
2022 - Hundai Kona - 22k miles - 64kw Premium
Both are very similar price.
I'm just not sure if I can bite the bullet and go for Tesla!
The Hyundai (Along with the similar Kia Niro) get very good long term ownership reviews and a real world range of c.240-250 miles
The draw of the Tesla claimed 390 mile range is strong though, is this realistic? What are they like in the real world?
Are there any known problems or issues on the Model 3?
To get one in a similar price range (sub £15k) they are all 60-70k miles+ is this a gamble?
Any help or advice would be appreciated!
I am currently looking at LR Model 3's as they have come right down. I wouldn't get too caught up in the Elon circus, its a good product with a good network.
I have been looking at this today, which seems well priced and prepped etc. https://www.car360.co.uk/cars/tesla-model-3-dual-m...
Have you got links to the 2 cars you are looking at?
I have been looking at this today, which seems well priced and prepped etc. https://www.car360.co.uk/cars/tesla-model-3-dual-m...
Have you got links to the 2 cars you are looking at?
I have only experienced the Tesla Model 3 long range. I have had mine from new, December 2020. I think it is the 2021 model with the heat pump.
390 miles sounds a bit high.A quick google suggests 341 miles which sounds more like it. In reality just under 300 I think, Teslas seem quite "honest" when it comes to the car forecasting range.
I have done almost 60,000 miles in mine.
I would have another. It is starting to show its age a bit on the inside - door materials are looking a little cheap, but I had the white seats and they are all holding up well.
They really are everywhere now, not so much the case 5 years ago.
I bought mine due to the charging infrastructure - that is so much better now, and some Tesla stations are open to non-Teslas.
I still think, from what I read about other cars, that Tesla are the ones who make the EV experience the least painful if you have to use third party chargers.
I don't think you can go wrong with buying one. Whenever I change mine I would probably get something different to try out but have no hesitation in recommending. Only pain are the auto wipers which do occasionally just do their own thing regardless of weather.
Any other questions please ask
390 miles sounds a bit high.A quick google suggests 341 miles which sounds more like it. In reality just under 300 I think, Teslas seem quite "honest" when it comes to the car forecasting range.
I have done almost 60,000 miles in mine.
I would have another. It is starting to show its age a bit on the inside - door materials are looking a little cheap, but I had the white seats and they are all holding up well.
They really are everywhere now, not so much the case 5 years ago.
I bought mine due to the charging infrastructure - that is so much better now, and some Tesla stations are open to non-Teslas.
I still think, from what I read about other cars, that Tesla are the ones who make the EV experience the least painful if you have to use third party chargers.
I don't think you can go wrong with buying one. Whenever I change mine I would probably get something different to try out but have no hesitation in recommending. Only pain are the auto wipers which do occasionally just do their own thing regardless of weather.
Any other questions please ask
The Model 3 I was looking at seems to have probably been sold as it's no longer on the website, however they have this one we could look at:
https://www.powerlease.co.uk/used-tesla-model-3-am...
The Hyundai is actually a bit higher miles than I thought at 57k
https://www.powerlease.co.uk/used-hyundai-kona-amp...
https://www.powerlease.co.uk/used-tesla-model-3-am...
The Hyundai is actually a bit higher miles than I thought at 57k
https://www.powerlease.co.uk/used-hyundai-kona-amp...
Personally I'd be looking for an EV where the current mileage plus what I'd put on it won't take it past 100k miles before the 8 year battery warranty ends, obviously depends on your mileage if 77k is low enough.
The Kona is a hatchback so more practical, that may or may not matter to you. It isn't that big though, kinda supermini sized inside I felt.
The Model 3 seems like a better and more desirable car apart from the hatch, and the brand. RWD, quicker, longer range etc.
samoht said:
Personally I'd be looking for an EV where the current mileage plus what I'd put on it won't take it past 100k miles before the 8 year battery warranty ends,
That's some odd reasoning, why would you do it like that?Honest question, I don't think I've ever bought any second hand car within warranty, but it seems to me that battery health is pretty easy to read out when buying second hand?
I went from a '21 Kona to a '21 Tesla Model 3.
The Tesla is a way better car in virtually all respects, especially with superchargers, software updates, audio, power, phone app.
The Kona is better at adaptive cruise control, as the Tesla can be a bit jerky.
You will get about 300 miles on a full charge in summer, 250 in winter - the dealer figures are optimistic as with all EVs.
Main Tesla issues are knuckle joint wear on the suspension, so listen out for knocks over bumps. A '21 will probably be China built so better quality than US built.
Let me know any other specific questions.
The Tesla is a way better car in virtually all respects, especially with superchargers, software updates, audio, power, phone app.
The Kona is better at adaptive cruise control, as the Tesla can be a bit jerky.
You will get about 300 miles on a full charge in summer, 250 in winter - the dealer figures are optimistic as with all EVs.
Main Tesla issues are knuckle joint wear on the suspension, so listen out for knocks over bumps. A '21 will probably be China built so better quality than US built.
Let me know any other specific questions.
gmaz said:
The Kona is better at adaptive cruise control, as the Tesla can be a bit jerky.
Probably because of thisTesla said:
In 2021, we began our transition to Tesla Vision by removing radar from Model 3 and Model Y
https://www.tesla.com/en_gb/support/transitioning-tesla-visionA camera tells you what colour something is. A radar tells you how far away it is, and how fast it's going (doppler), which is rather more useful for ACC.
Overall though I'm sure the Tesla is preferable, as you say.
ZesPak said:
Then it seems ideal to take it past 100 000 within 8 years?
What good is an 8 year warranty on a unused battery?
It just seemed like an odd take to me...
I was of the opinions battery health is affected by time as well as use? I can certainly understand why you would want to buy a used EV that maximises the length of the battery warranty period based on expected use especially if looking to potentially sell it on?What good is an 8 year warranty on a unused battery?
It just seemed like an odd take to me...
I paid more for our 3 year old EV in the knowledge that with our use over the next 3 years it would still be 2 years and 20k+ miles shy of the battery warranty limits. I could have spent less on a car with more miles, but would have been very close to the battery warranty being up over the same period making it harder to sell?
We had a 21 plate Model 3 LR and did 125,000 miles in just over 3 and a half years. Absolutely brilliant cars - wouldn't hesitate having another.
We had a heat pump go at 55,000 miles (after one of their mobile engineers changed some settings - I'm sure it was linked!), otherwise nothing failed and we didn't even have a service in that time. Tyres last forever, and it is just a very pleasant vehicle to own.
We had a heat pump go at 55,000 miles (after one of their mobile engineers changed some settings - I'm sure it was linked!), otherwise nothing failed and we didn't even have a service in that time. Tyres last forever, and it is just a very pleasant vehicle to own.
timwatsham said:
We had a 21 plate Model 3 LR and did 125,000 miles in just over 3 and a half years. Absolutely brilliant cars - wouldn't hesitate having another.
We had a heat pump go at 55,000 miles (after one of their mobile engineers changed some settings - I'm sure it was linked!), otherwise nothing failed and we didn't even have a service in that time. Tyres last forever, and it is just a very pleasant vehicle to own.
I have the same model and year - on 55,000 miles. The suspension is starting to creak which is being fixed next month - not expensive.We had a heat pump go at 55,000 miles (after one of their mobile engineers changed some settings - I'm sure it was linked!), otherwise nothing failed and we didn't even have a service in that time. Tyres last forever, and it is just a very pleasant vehicle to own.
I would have another as mine has been very reliable, quick, cheap and easy to own.
My friend runs 11 Teslas in his company, the oldest having been recently “retired” to pool car duties. It’s a model 3 lr and has 160,000 miles on it. I rode in it to the airport the airport the other day and it’s completely fine. I dare say it’s far tighter than other cars I’ve ridden in with similar mileage. It’s had a few small jobs done on it, something with the suspension but nothing major.
We also run three Teslas now in my company. Model y 2023, model y 2025 and model 3 2024. All absolutely flawless and hassle free. Charging infrastructure is just no issue. I literally never think about it, I just do what the car says.
I had recent experience with polestar and the charging let it down as it’s more expensive (by factor of 2) and far more faff than just plugging in and letting it do its thing, there’s definitely an element of “planning” where to charge but perhaps this fades with experience. I also found the build quality not that great considering everyone moans about Tesla build quality. Lots of cheap plastic.
My aunt has a Hyundai kona 64kw and they still have an old x3 they run “for long journeys”. I think that says all you need to know. Although granted that is a sample size of 1 and they’re old.
We also run three Teslas now in my company. Model y 2023, model y 2025 and model 3 2024. All absolutely flawless and hassle free. Charging infrastructure is just no issue. I literally never think about it, I just do what the car says.
I had recent experience with polestar and the charging let it down as it’s more expensive (by factor of 2) and far more faff than just plugging in and letting it do its thing, there’s definitely an element of “planning” where to charge but perhaps this fades with experience. I also found the build quality not that great considering everyone moans about Tesla build quality. Lots of cheap plastic.
My aunt has a Hyundai kona 64kw and they still have an old x3 they run “for long journeys”. I think that says all you need to know. Although granted that is a sample size of 1 and they’re old.
jonathan_roberts said:
My friend runs 11 Teslas in his company, the oldest having been recently “retired” to pool car duties. It’s a model 3 lr and has 160,000 miles on it. I rode in it to the airport the airport the other day and it’s completely fine. I dare say it’s far tighter than other cars I’ve ridden in with similar mileage. It’s had a few small jobs done on it, something with the suspension but nothing major.
We also run three Teslas now in my company. Model y 2023, model y 2025 and model 3 2024. All absolutely flawless and hassle free. Charging infrastructure is just no issue. I literally never think about it, I just do what the car says.
I had recent experience with polestar and the charging let it down as it’s more expensive (by factor of 2) and far more faff than just plugging in and letting it do its thing, there’s definitely an element of “planning” where to charge but perhaps this fades with experience. I also found the build quality not that great considering everyone moans about Tesla build quality. Lots of cheap plastic.
My aunt has a Hyundai kona 64kw and they still have an old x3 they run “for long journeys”. I think that says all you need to know. Although granted that is a sample size of 1 and they’re old.
A high number of the Tesla Superchargers are open to all, could have charged the Polestar there?We also run three Teslas now in my company. Model y 2023, model y 2025 and model 3 2024. All absolutely flawless and hassle free. Charging infrastructure is just no issue. I literally never think about it, I just do what the car says.
I had recent experience with polestar and the charging let it down as it’s more expensive (by factor of 2) and far more faff than just plugging in and letting it do its thing, there’s definitely an element of “planning” where to charge but perhaps this fades with experience. I also found the build quality not that great considering everyone moans about Tesla build quality. Lots of cheap plastic.
My aunt has a Hyundai kona 64kw and they still have an old x3 they run “for long journeys”. I think that says all you need to know. Although granted that is a sample size of 1 and they’re old.
No subscription required.
If you can see the charger on the Tesla app (with no Tesla registered) then it’s open to all.
I use ABRP nav (carplay) in my Skoda Enyaq.
That knows my cars battery status , destination charger status (mine is set to Tesla only), it’ll redirect if they are all busy, but that’s never happened to me.
Edited by RotorRambler on Monday 19th May 17:34
RotorRambler said:
jonathan_roberts said:
My friend runs 11 Teslas in his company, the oldest having been recently “retired” to pool car duties. It’s a model 3 lr and has 160,000 miles on it. I rode in it to the airport the airport the other day and it’s completely fine. I dare say it’s far tighter than other cars I’ve ridden in with similar mileage. It’s had a few small jobs done on it, something with the suspension but nothing major.
We also run three Teslas now in my company. Model y 2023, model y 2025 and model 3 2024. All absolutely flawless and hassle free. Charging infrastructure is just no issue. I literally never think about it, I just do what the car says.
I had recent experience with polestar and the charging let it down as it’s more expensive (by factor of 2) and far more faff than just plugging in and letting it do its thing, there’s definitely an element of “planning” where to charge but perhaps this fades with experience. I also found the build quality not that great considering everyone moans about Tesla build quality. Lots of cheap plastic.
My aunt has a Hyundai kona 64kw and they still have an old x3 they run “for long journeys”. I think that says all you need to know. Although granted that is a sample size of 1 and they’re old.
A high number of the Tesla Superchargers are open to all, could have charged the Polestar there?We also run three Teslas now in my company. Model y 2023, model y 2025 and model 3 2024. All absolutely flawless and hassle free. Charging infrastructure is just no issue. I literally never think about it, I just do what the car says.
I had recent experience with polestar and the charging let it down as it’s more expensive (by factor of 2) and far more faff than just plugging in and letting it do its thing, there’s definitely an element of “planning” where to charge but perhaps this fades with experience. I also found the build quality not that great considering everyone moans about Tesla build quality. Lots of cheap plastic.
My aunt has a Hyundai kona 64kw and they still have an old x3 they run “for long journeys”. I think that says all you need to know. Although granted that is a sample size of 1 and they’re old.
No subscription required.
If you can see the charger on the Tesla app (with no Tesla registered) then it’s open to all.
I use ABRP nav (carplay)
That knows my cars battery status , destination charger status (mine is set to Tesla only), it’ll redirect if they are all busy, but that’s never happened to me.
Edited by RotorRambler on Monday 19th May 17:33
Not as good as Tesla ecosystem
Needs another app or a range of apps
More expensive
Polestar consumption was far higher than our new model 3
It’s like having a Mac with an android phone. It works but only if you don’t mind using a bunch of extra tools.
jonathan_roberts said:
All fair points, but it’s still:
Not as good as Tesla ecosystem
Needs another app or a range of apps
More expensive
Polestar consumption was far higher than our new model 3
It’s like having a Mac with an android phone. It works but only if you don’t mind using a bunch of extra tools.
I wouldn’t buy a Tesla for the Superchargers though. If you regularly public charge on the Kona, or any Ev, you could pay £8.99 membership if you use it enoughNot as good as Tesla ecosystem
Needs another app or a range of apps
More expensive
Polestar consumption was far higher than our new model 3
It’s like having a Mac with an android phone. It works but only if you don’t mind using a bunch of extra tools.
I’ve only public charged a handful of times so not worth it for me.
It takes seconds to pay via the app.
I expect more slick with Tesla though
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