2022 Hyundai Kona N Review & Test Drive : Automotive Addicts

As I think about the electrification of vehicles being a reality, it’s really hard to say goodbye to autos like the a person I get to participate in with this 7 days – a general performance-oriented variation of the Hyundai Kona, the Kona N. Even even though the Kona N isn’t just unique-vehicle-speedy, it is a fairly enjoyable and fascinating car showcasing what manufactures can easily do with modest, turbocharged engines wrapped up in a compact light-weight package deal.

The Hyundai Kona has been a welcomed subcompact crossover because its introduction in 2018 and over the earlier couple of years, it has obtained supplemental trims for a sportier attraction, and a short while ago a new Kona N product that injects the brand’s “N” effectiveness characteristics. In acquiring to working experience the Kona N this 7 days I can attest to those performance attributes implementing to most of the car or truck, like the inside, handling, appears to be like, and power with a distinctive smile-inducing attribute – much more on that later on.

Effectiveness and Driving Character

It’s difficult to area the new Hyundai Kona N as it touts the exact same subcompact form of the other Kona trims but has a somewhat strong motor for its course to the tune of 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque from a 2.-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine powering the front wheels only. The engine will get mated to an 8-speed DCT (twin-clutch transmission) that fires off snappy shifts and can be fairly intense utilizing the proper drive environment. With these a powertrain, the Kona N will get positioned in a modest basket to compete with cars like the Mercedes-AMG GLA35, Mini Countryman John Cooper Performs All4, or BMW X2 M35i. Outdoors of people smallish crossovers, the competitiveness could technically increase to automobiles like the Honda Civic Sort R, Volkswagen Golf GTI or even the VW Golf R if you fail to remember the SUV-ness of the Kona N.

See Also: 2022 Hyundai Kona N-Line Review & Test Generate

The effectiveness qualities of the Kona N are quite unique in that there are a number of techniques of configuring the vehicle. There is an fascinating and devoted N manner that opens up two customization modes outside the house of a preset N generate mode accessed as a result of one particular of two steering wheel N buttons. The default N method appears to be to established up the vehicle to extract the most out of the powertrain devoid of disabling stability and traction regulate. The two Tailor made N modes let you to dial-up person elements of how the adaptive dampers are set, steering wheel effort and hard work, engine response, transmission aggressiveness and shift styles, digital constrained-slip differential placing, steadiness/traction handle environment, and exhaust seem location. It’s relatively surprising to see Hyundai format so numerous customization options for the Kona N, which is rather considered of as a taller Veloster N applying a equivalent powertrain setup.

Dialing up the N modes, which are individual from the classic Sport generate mode enacted by a convert knob subsequent to the shifter, is a complete new encounter and even further defines the several personalities of the Kona N. Assume of it as a Jekyll and Hyde practical experience that variations its demeanor at the press of a button. To take matters to the stratosphere, the Kona N has yet another trick up its generate-manner sleeve with the exceptional N Grin Change (NGS) mode which is enacted by pressing a purple button on the steering wheel. Sure, which is actually the identify of it! The NGS method is very good for about 20 seconds the place it permits an over-raise operate to incorporate 10 horsepower (total of 286 HP) and aggressively shifts the DCT 8-pace transmission at the greatest feasible RPM of the motor. In this article the Kona N feels like you have a DRS (Drag Reduction Procedure) or “push to pass” manner but right after employing the complete 20 seconds of “grinning” you have to wait around a even though for the motor to recuperate right before hoping it yet again. There’s also a launch manner that does a neat slipping of the automated moist friction clutch to limit front wheel spin but does well to get the Kona N up to 60 mph in about 4.9 seconds.

The Kona N feels like it is on rails – pushing the boundaries of a tall-statured little crossover. The brakes are sturdy with larger 14.2-inch rotors up front and 12.4-inch rears in excess of other Kona trims each clamped down by one-piston calipers.

I discovered myself often guffawing a bit at the Kona N from its enamel-shattering stiff suspension when established in any method aside from the softest location (which is not pretty gentle to get started with), to the exhaust burbles and pops, and even the seem of the turbocharger and ingestion manifold sounding like a fancy Dyson vacuum. Hyundai engineers definitely experienced to giggle a very little when they packed in the many attributes of the Kona N. Even so, it is superior to practical experience such a auto in understanding a model however can have a minor enjoyment and humor in their cars quite possibly as a past hurrah for fuel-burning engines.

Total, the Kona N feels like a pocket rocket but frequently does not deliver regular electric power, which I to some degree attribute to the 100-degree warmth right here in Florida all through my time with the pocket rocket. The Kona N is much more of a enjoyable machine for those people who may possibly have wished the Veloster N but essential the more house out again accessible by real doorways and a taller cargo hatch. It’s a authentic hoot to travel, have confidence in me!

Exterior and Interior

To set the Kona N aside from the rest of the Kona line there’s a ton to digest exterior of the performance features. For one, the Kona N athletics 19-inch wheels with summer time overall performance tires, big dual exhaust suggestions, unique entire body cladding, crimson exterior accents, and pink brake calipers. Inside, there are a pair of products that established it apart typically encompassing the very bolstered front heated seats that have leather trim and suede inserts to help grip your overall body.

The Kona N comes nicely packed with attributes reaching the degree of the Kona Confined trim, which consists of the highlights of a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, solitary-zone computerized climate control, electric power driver’s seat with electric power lumbar help, 8-speaker Harmon Kardon audio process, wireless smartphone charger, and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster that capabilities an extra N manner screen bringing up a exceptional functionality exhibit of car or truck details.

Gas Economy

The Kona N nonetheless will get respectable gas milage if you benefit from the Eco travel manner and by no means use the Grin-inducing N generate modes. The mileage is a bit down from the other Kona trims exactly where you can muster out the EPA estimates in the genuine environment of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg freeway, and 23 mpg mixed.

Protection

Just like the Hyundai Kona Restricted, the Kona N gets the whole array of energetic protection functions (forward collision avoidance guide w/warning, lane-preserving guide, lane next aid, driver focus warning, blind-spot displays/collision avoidance support, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance support, safe exit warning) but can be fully disabled on the fly by bringing up Customized N generate modes.

Rate

The place Hyundai really nails it, aside from acquiring a rather exceptional smaller crossover in the Kona N, is the price tag where there are no choices to insert on – everything is bundled. At the finish of the day, you can have all this “grinning” fun for $35,495, which is a discount for anything that is as fun as this exclusive subcompact crossover pocket rocket.