Which EV Am I In? Which EV Did We Choose?

People have been telling us they think all EVs are the same. “Blindfold us and we’ll prove it”, they said. We thought this was a load of dingoes kidneys (people who love Hitchiker’s Guide will get the cultural reference), and we set out to prove it one way or the other.

To that end we took three of our top guns, Hunter, Charlie, and Luke, and 3 small EVs. We then let nature take its own majestic and natural course. I supervised the lads doing their thing, as they’re rather like herding cats at times.

The Cars: (full details by following the link to the model site)

New Hyundai Kona Electric, Fiat 500e, GWM Ora

Video Review: 2024 Hyundai Kona Premium EV – LAUNCH Review GayCarBoys – Alan Zurvas 

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ABOVE: 2024 Huundai Kona Electric, GWM Ora, Fiat 500e

Test 1:

We blindfolded the boys, putting them in and around each car, in a procession of campery the likes of which not seen since the legendary Muff and Fluff caucus meetings of the CPSU. That’s a story for another time.

The boys gave them a thorough fingering, caressing each surface with the deftness of DaVinci. Hunter reads Braille so “felt” 500e, giving the game away. He has a mouth like the Murrumbidgee in flood, and in less than 3 seconds, we’d been rumbled. The Charlie knew what each car was, and Luke has the horn for the new Kona so gravitated to it like a kid to candy.

Kona looked the most modern, but from feel, had the fewest identifying traits. Charlie said it, “feels bland”.

Test 2:

We rated the cars on comfort and despite a difference in otherwise perceived quality, the 500e was 1st, and Ora 3rd. We can’t talk about Kona’s comfort level owing to its embargo.

500e had comfortable seats, but the battery range restricts any long drives. It is a city car only, which is fine by us. The notion that millions of people mount their steeds for graceful rides into distant sunsets, is a complete ferfy. You fly, then hire, walk, or cycle. Roadtrips are things for movies.

The Ora was a surprise. Although it came 3rd, it managed a few ooo’s and aaahhhh’s. Once revealed, we noted all 3 cars had white interiors, something unimaginable only a few years ago.

All felt airy, adding to the spacious ambience a commute needs. Although only a 2 door, 500e’s cabin felt the most spacious, and although its seats were not the most comfortable, had the best “feel”. Believe it or not, comfort is about more than just a “bum on a seat.”

It was too close to call a clear winner, with the difference being so minimal that we almost called a 3-way.

Test 3:

The Looks, the last bastion of taste, good or otherwise.

The testers, swept away in a sweaty fervour of reminiscence, felt the 500e’s delicious subtlety of superbly executed vintage-revisited design, couldn’t be beaten. Although Ora scored well for “cuteness”, the brand unfamiliarity left the punters in a lather of doubt and confusion. Kona ran away with space and practicality, but its looks take getting used to. Kona’s front and rear ends had the trio polarised to the point of revolt.

Kona’s horizon lines look rather like the “heavy brow of a Neanderthal”, said Hunter.

I agree, meaning looks saw the 500e win again.

Test 4:

Techy goodness includes the speed of charging, driver and safety aids, and the cabin appointments. Ora came in last, but it is also the cheapest by far. The Ora had a clunky interface and minimal switchgear. Kona got the top gong, scoring well for appearance, ease of use, and charging. Kona and Ora both have twin LCD screens, which had the gaggle of gays gasping. 500e also had 2 screens, but the driver’s display was a trifle mean at a time when size really does matter.

Test 5:

The drive sorted the men from the boys. Hunter was panting with excitement, a lover of Italian design. He rated Fiat number 1 even though it felt the demurest. It had the least range, but seemed to “inspire in a way neither of the others could,” he said. “I’m not in Sydney, I’m in a 50’s classic movie, motoring along Lake Como for a hot date at the Palce Hotel, on a the tarrace high above the water .

Charlie went for the Hyundai. Kona Electric is the newest of the trio, the most powerful, and but as the embargo on drive impressions had not yet been reached, his comments remained in the sealed section. THis is not the first time Charlie has been in a sealed section, for one reason or another.

See the full reviews to follow.

Luke went for the Ora, even though he is not a fan of GWM as a brand. He liked the compact design and feel, and although the handling didn’t feel particularly sophisticated, was enchanting in a way he didn’t quite understand.

Conclusion:

The full reviews of each will follow, so we considered this to be a tempting tapas of tasty tidbits. The cars were far closer than anyone thought, but price was not an indicator of what may cometh. Ora was the cheapest starting price, therefore best value. Kona Electric was the most practical, and with the embargo lifted within 24 hours, its details are yet to be laid bare.

The Kona was streets ahead on every day use if the owner wanted a roomier conveyance. The household socket is handy too, making Kona electric the best buy if value VS size is your thing.

Fiat’s 500e won the day, but not for the reasons you might think. All other things being equal, the twunks felt the 500e best represented what they wanted from an electric car. Even though it had the shortest range and the slowest charging, it captured a mood.

It is rare, yet created a yearning for dreamy drives along the Adriatic, riding the roads that cling to the cliffs.

We didn’t know what it was, but we knew we wanted it.

NOTE FROM ALAN:

I agree that the Fiat 500e is the cutest, the GWM Ora the cheapest, and the Kona Electric the most practical. It is about the dollars, and how much car you can get for the cash spent. I adore the 500e and Ora, but I would pick the Kona despite its challenging appearance. The top model is also far more expensive than the others but represents the best dollar per kilowatt.

My choices are: Kona Electric (Premium) ($68,000rrp) for daily use, Fiat 500e ($52,500rrp) for fun and cuteness, and GWM ($39,990rrp – base model) Ora for price/value.

Remember my motto, don’t by a car that isn’t designed to do what you want it to do. It will only end in tears. While there is less of a difference in feel between EVs than ICE vehicles, there is difference enough to warrant a thorough test drive, all EVs are not the same.

2024 Kona Electric Fiat 500e GWM Ora
Price AUD RRP $54,000 – $68,000 $52,500 $39,990 – $51,990
Battery kWh 48.6  – 64.8 42 48 – 63
Range 370 – 505 311 310 – 420
Charging KW 100 85 67
Power output KW 99 – 150 76 107 – 128
Warranty 5 yr 3 yr 7yr

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