ODDBALL, quirky, frog-like, peculiar… Hyundai’s Kona small SUV has been known as extra names than the proverbial red-headed stepchild. Nonetheless, till now, it hasn’t been known as quick, or enjoyable… and it actually hasn’t been labelled the choose of the model’s lauded N-product line-up.
Check out the spec sheet – or hussle the Kona N across the racetrack for half a day, like we did – and also you’ll quickly see why Hyundai’s newcomer isn’t solely a bona fide high-riding scorching hatch worthy of its N moniker, however arguably the best-suited N automobile but for Australian roads (and tastes).
The Kona N is the primary SUV mannequin to emanate from Hyundai’s famed N-division. It shares a lot of its mechanical bundle with the scorching i30 N, which ought to offer you a sign that this isn’t just a few tarted up purchasing trolley with a sport badge and a set of chunkier wheels.
Certainly, the Kona N (accessible in two variants) combines an lively 206kW turbocharged 2.0-litre 4 with an in-house-developed eight-speed twin wet-clutch transmission (DCT), which drives the entrance wheels through an e-LSD, to ship “the final word in functionality on highway and circuit”.
Priced from $47,500 plus on-road prices, the Kona N maintains the versatile and sensible SUV traits of the donor mannequin. It’s geared up with quite a few comfort, consolation and security applied sciences, in addition to a lot of performance-orientated digital chassis aids and in-cabin interfaces to help drivers in maximising all that this sporty super-hatch has to supply.
Gear features a digital instrument panel and huge central infotainment array with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, in addition to Bluetooth connectivity, built-in satellite tv for pc navigation and DAB+ digital radio reception.
The Kona N has cloth-trimmed sports activities seats, however the Premium spinoff moreover options leather-based and suede mixture pews. They’re teamed with a leather-appointed steering wheel, gearshift knob and handbrake cowl with Efficiency Blue contrasting stitching all through.
The Premium model additionally receives a head-up show, energy adjustable seats, front-seat heating and air flow, entrance parking sensors, LED inside ambient lighting, in addition to a glass sunroof.
The Kona N is additional geared up with a Qi wi-fi telephone charging pad and eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, alongside an intensive checklist of Hyundai’s SmartSense driver help and security applied sciences – plus full LED exterior lighting.
Ahead collision-avoidance help, driver consideration monitoring, lane protecting and -following help, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, tyre strain monitoring, rear parking sensors, traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise management, good exit warning and a reversing digicam are all customary.
The Kona N is provided with Hyundai’s new Observe Maps function that routinely alerts drivers when they’re close to a mapped racetrack and begins a lap time as the beginning/end line is crossed.
Sporting a singular physique package, an N-specific grille, blacked-out Hyundai brand and wing-mirror caps, plus a rear diffuser sporting an LED fog gentle and twin exhaust retailers, the Kona N is unlikely to be mistaken for an everyday grocery-getting mannequin… and with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds (making it the quickest accelerating N mannequin thus far) and a top-speed of 240km/h, the Kona N will make sure that the purchasing is dwelling effectively earlier than the ice cream has melted.
