- This topic has 14 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 9 months ago by
.
- Topic
Happy New Year!
After 2,000 miles I thought I might post some observations on my experience with the bionic dodgem. I guess many will be considering this car and hope this gives some insight into actually running one.
For reference, I have the Premium (base spec) AWD model, 77kwh, in abyss black. I made AWD a priority thanks to my geographical location, nothing to do with the extra power, and was therefore forced to choose Premium spec to get it. So, here’s a few things for you to consider.
1) It’s prodigiously fast. In a straight line. This is no sports car though, comfy suspension and lack of steering feedback doesn’t allow much excitement through the twisty stuff, although it always feels safe. Most won’t have experienced the extra power of the twin motor version, and whilst it’s a hoot for traffic light Grand Prix, you really NEED to have AWD to choose it I think. If the car is in normal mode it uses the rear motor only, once you’re up to speed, and it feels plenty fast with just that. For speed and power alone I wouldn’t go with the AWD, I’d stick with RWD and get the range (and lower AP) benefit.
2) Range has been an average of 2.4 m/kwh, so nothing special. I drive quite conservatively, mostly with passengers or dog, and the loony acceleration doesn’t suit any of them! A full charge at the moment gives me around 200 real world miles. Facebook shows people getting 4 m/kwh, don’t know how! Although rwd and higher temps down south will be helping.
3) The car is very comfortable, very easy to get in and out of, has plenty of space inside so feels very airy, and has loads of storage space. Our other car is a Volvo estate and the Ioniq is roomier. Interestingly though, despite all the space we’ve found that there aren’t many places to store your constantly carried items and have them to hand. The lack of full centre console adds to the roominess, but takes away places to ‘pop’ stuff. The door bins are ok but nowhere near as good as the Volvo, there’s plenty of storage places but they’re all far away from the driver or awkward to reach when driving. As is the infotainment screen btw, a proper stretch, and most controls need it. I love the interior and find it a great place to be, my wife really dislikes it. She feels exposed by the open spaces, says it feels like driving her 90’s diesel Peugeot 106. I get her point but don’t feel it myself, be sure to check how you feel over a longer run though.
4) My spec misses a few extras that would be really handy. The biggest one is the blind spot cameras of the tech pack. These were on the test car and I miss them. Of all the things they could’ve cut for the lower spec, a proper safety feature shouldn’t have been one. For that alone the tech pack would be worth it for me, but the pop out handles would also be great! Mine are a proper fumble in the dark. Powered passenger seat with lumbar would also have been great, so again I’d probably now go for a version with this. Hifi wise, the standard is decent enough, although that’s so subjective. I’d heard horror stories about how shite it was and was pleasantly surprised, in fact I was more disappointed with the Bose unit fitted to the test car, probably because I expected more. And try and get mats included, as the originals are an £80 extra and the rubber ones I bought from Amazon smell bad!
5) My car app (Bluelink) and the Ohme charger don’t get on. It’s a known issue apparently (?), but no resolution yet. The car charges fine but loses the connection to the car almost every time I use it, which means it’s working as a dumb charger. Although it still reads as ‘smart charging’ on the ohme I’m not convinced as it charges immediately and to 100% which is what happens when you override the system to charge ASAP, which in turn stops you getting the reduced unit rate from OVO. My first bill will tell me, the apps are all a bit confusing. Be prepared for some hair pulling with these apps communicating though. Luddites beware!
6) one pedal driving is amazing, especially on the bendy roads around here as all you do is moderate the pressure on the accelerator. No need to go near the brakes 95% of the time. I love the regenerative aspect of these cars, makes them so easy to drive, and it’s easy to adapt to as well. Still very unsure how lack of engine braking and regen auto set to minimum on snow mode will work when I get a snow covered hill to descend!
So, after all these points would I choose the same car? No. The car has many plus points, looks great, love the drive, hoping to love the economy, never get bored of that silent running. But this model feels far from ‘premium’. Our last lease car was an XC40 and our other car now is a V60CC and both are leagues ahead in terms of quality. This feels nowhere near a £50k car. That said I still love it. And so would keep to this car but choose the Ultimate spec with tech pack and pay the extra. I’ll have missed many things but if you think of any let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them. ?
PS – yeah, the lack of rear wiper does indeed suck! And the camera gets mucky after a few miles too. As my good lady says, ‘should’ve just bought a van’.
- Replies
Good overview.
The AWD will never be as economical as the RWD, even if driven purely as RWD due to the extra weight.
A quick note on charging, would be to ditch the Bluelink app and use the Ohme app for charging purposes. You will find by setting charged by x time on the Ohme app and letting the likes of OVO and Octopus do the rest, will yield better reults. OVO also suggest you do it this way 🙂
Good review and I totally get your wife but in my case it was a big ugly transit for years. So I do like the cocoon/cockpit feeling of most cars now.
As for the range, mine was always poor. Some folk on here were claiming over 300 miles on a charge, I’m not saying they’re liars, but I don’t believe them lol. No matter how hard I tried I could not get over 270ish and it’s no way to live/drive just to achieve that range.
Oh mine did have a fault were there was a big gap between bonnet and front end. A quick Google told me how to fix it and it did add about 15-20 mile to my range
@kezo agreed! The RWD will be the correct option for anyone not living with the threat of constant slippery conditions and those wanting to partake of drag strip shenanigans ?.
Regarding the charging, do you mean remove the Bluelink from the equation completely and not signing into Ohme using that? I already use the Ohme app for charging, the issue being that the two apps keep disconnecting leading to the Ohme app advising it can’t contact car so is assuming 0% charge. I can reset it but it’s a proper pain as you have to plug in/out multiple times. ?
yes! you’ll need to set a ‘ready by’ time and a % charged level via your Ohme app. OVO will then do the rest to make sure your battery is charged by the time you need it.
Having both Bluelink and Ohme app active for charging purposes will conflict with each other and drop out!
https://ohme-ev.com/support/how-do-i-set-up-ovo-charge-anytime/
@MFillingham will give you more guidance if needed, as I only install chargers and therefore my advice is more basic than someone owning a EV.It caught my eye a while back and now AWD ultimate is available I would have been very tempted if test drive went well nut unfortunately I bit the bullet after nearly 4 years on last car and in May I picked up a c5x shine plus and really happy with it so until Feb 26 I can but watch.
Having both Bluelink and Ohme app active for charging purposes will conflict with each other and drop out! https://ohme-ev.com/support/how-do-i-set-up-ovo-charge-anytime/ @MFillingham will give you more guidance if needed, as I only install chargers and therefore my advice is more basic than someone owning a EV.
Afraid, he won’t be much use. I charge at home using a 3 pin charger, which is fine for a 45 kWh battery. I’ll have to use the Ohme charger the same as the rest of us. I would do as @kezo says and forget planning your charge through bluelink and use the connection with the charger to set the time for on/off. Use the Ohme app for charging, bluelink for driving/preconditioning related uses, although everything I’ve read isn’t full of praise for Bluelink at all. Inaccurate range estimates and charge status (including one guy who took a photo from in the car of the car saying one percentage charged and range and the phone infront saying completely different, almost as if it was connected to a completely different car). It’s great for preconditioning the car before you go out, warming through the winter and cooling through the summer, means you don’t have to get into a car and suffer at any point in the year.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
… and there’s me thinking you were my partner in crime ?
The basic idea with the likes of Octopussy and OVOry is they use the likes of Kraken’s and Kaluza that allow charge any time tarrifs at a lower cost. Ohme chargers are compatible with these types of software and require you to use the Ohme app (best) or car app (if you have a compatble car) and non compatible charger. You can’t use both Ohme and Bluelink apps at the same time. As you have an Ohme charger it is a far better app to use, when charging your vehicle as its more seamless operation.
@Bowly101 great review, it’s good to see both positives and negatives. I’d not go for the Premium, there’s just too much missing that’s very useful.
2.4m/kWh is a little low for this time of year but if you’re ‘enjoying’ the acceleration then it’s rather a good result, it’s still 184 miles on a full charge which is over 2 hours solid driving. It will improve greatly as you get into warmer weather and once the novelty wears off and you get more into a cruising mode.
@kezo, just not all crimes 😀I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
You boys do give some very good advice!
Ironically, I’ve just received an email from Ohme telling me to do just as you advised. Which is nice of them. 2 weeks later, but at least they did respond, which is more than Hyundai have done so far! I wonder if it’s just the Ioniq 5 or whether it applies to other models or other stablemate vehicles like the EV6?
I don’t believe its soley Hyundai/Kia as it known to be problematic for other vehicle apps. IMHO its something to do with Kraken Kaluza software when you have a Ohme charger.
Hence why its advisable to use the Ohme App for seamless operation where charging is concerned.
Compatible cars that don’t use a Ohme charger, your better schedualling from the vehicle itself.
I don’t understand why experienced EV owners still complain that smart chargers and their cars don’t communicate. I get it’s easier when they do but it’s not a world ending catastrophe if they don’t. The only car I’ve found genuine issues with are the first generation ZS which expects charge as soon as it’s plugged in or it objects. With no charging schedule it makes life very awkward.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
I don’t understand why experienced EV owners still complain that smart chargers and their cars don’t communicate. I get it’s easier when they do but it’s not a world ending catastrophe if they don’t. The only car I’ve found genuine issues with are the first generation ZS which expects charge as soon as it’s plugged in or it objects. With no charging schedule it makes life very awkward.
I complain about everything life often just for the “sake” of it. Your luck you only here half of it ?
@Bowly101 Thank you for such an informative and interesting review. I always find balanced reviews to be by far the best. No car is perfect, and it’s always important to highlight the cons as well as the pros for the benefit of others who are considering the same car. I’m sorry to hear that you wouldn’t choose the car again. I always worry when I read people saying that they have ordered a car based on a 30 minute test drive. Everything seems great testing a new car very briefly, as it all seems new and swanky, but living with it is a different matter.
I’m not at all surprised to read your comments about build quality compared to your Volvo. There’s a lot to like about Hyundai’s, but premium cars they are not. I also smile when I read people talking about how quick EVs are, only to then read that once they get one they have to drive at 50mph with the heating off to conserve range ??
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.