Most compact crossovers on the market are fairly nameless. Even the conventional Hyundai Kona does not do a lot to maneuver the needle. However add the letter “N” to the top of that – as with the Veloster and Elantra – and that modifications the persona of the Kona completely for the higher.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona N is a sizzling hatch masquerading as an SUV. It is a efficiency automotive with the proportions of a regular household automobile, and it packs a punchy turbocharged engine and an expertly tuned chassis to go together with it. It is an unlikely – however superior – possibility for somebody wanting one thing a bit extra sensible to go together with their efficiency.
Execs
With a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine tuned to supply 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, the Kona N is an offended little SUV. It accelerates off the road with a ferocious tug on the entrance wheels (certain, there’s some torque steer however who cares), and because of a well-tuned suspension with wonderful steering really feel, the Kona is remarkably agile within the corners as properly. It’s actually not far off by way of efficiency from its siblings, the Veloster and Elantra.
You may argue the angular Elantra N isn’t everybody’s cup of tea by way of styling, however few would dispute how sharp the Kona N appears to be like. It has an aggressive entrance fascia that homes slim LED lighting fixtures, almost hidden headlights, and a sporty mesh grille, with purple accents that line the entrance bumper and facet sills. These accents look particularly sinister in opposition to black paint, and the 19-inch alloy wheels give the Kona a wonderful stance.
Extra so than the Veloster N or Elantra N, the Kona N makes essentially the most sense as a every day driver. Efficiency apart, the Kona nonetheless does most of what you need of a compact SUV. It provides class-competitive passenger house, first rate cargo room, wonderful know-how, and comparatively good gas financial system for what’s underneath the hood – 23 miles per gallon mixed.
Cons
With a purpose to make the Kona a wonderful performer, Hyundai tuned the suspension to ranges some informal buyers would possibly take into account too stiff. With the usual 19-inch wheels, the Kona N crashes over bumps and undulations with a harsh clunk. The experience feels unrefined over something apart from a superbly paved piece of highway.
The Kona isn’t recognized for having essentially the most upscale inside and that’s nonetheless true of the N mannequin. You’ll have to sacrifice some inside consolation within the title of efficiency. The Kona N goes heavy on low cost, exhausting plastics, notably on the sprint and heart console. There are some softer textures on the doorways, however even that feels under common for the section.
The Kona N channels its internal sizzling hatchback in some ways, however most notably in the truth that it’s front-wheel drive solely. Hyundai doesn’t supply an all-wheel-drive model of the Kona N – regardless that you may get all-wheel drive on a regular Kona – which ends up in some understeer and torque steer when pushed particularly exhausting.