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 tip of that – as with the Veloster and Elantra – and that modifications the character of the Kona fully for the higher.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona N is a scorching 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 along with it. It is an unlikely – however superior – possibility for somebody wanting one thing a bit extra sensible to go along with their efficiency.
Professionals
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 due to a well-tuned suspension with glorious steering really feel, the Kona is remarkably agile within the corners as effectively. It’s actually not far off by way of efficiency from its siblings, the Veloster and Elantra.
You would 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 seems to be. It has an aggressive entrance fascia that homes slim LED lighting fixtures, almost hidden headlights, and a sporty mesh grille, with pink accents that line the entrance bumper and aspect sills. These accents look particularly sinister in opposition to black paint, and the 19-inch alloy wheels give the Kona a superb 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 area, respectable cargo room, glorious expertise, and comparatively good gas economic system for what’s below the hood – 23 miles per gallon mixed.
Cons
With a purpose to make the Kona a superb performer, Hyundai tuned the suspension to ranges some informal consumers may 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 aside from a wonderfully paved piece of street.
The Kona isn’t identified 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 identify of efficiency. The Kona N goes heavy on low cost, arduous plastics, notably on the sprint and heart console. There are some softer textures on the doorways, however even that feels beneath common for the phase.
The Kona N channels its interior scorching hatchback in some ways, however most notably in the truth that it’s front-wheel drive solely. Hyundai doesn’t provide an all-wheel-drive model of the Kona N – although you may get all-wheel drive on a regular Kona – which results in some understeer and torque steer when pushed particularly arduous.
