Hyundai Kona N 2022 review

The Hyundai Kona is rapidly developing several personalities. But it's not a mental breakdown, but the result of a steady expansion of the compact SUV line-up since the launch of the original petrol and diesel model in 2017. 

The zero-emission Kona Electric arrived in 2019, and now this all-round model has donned lace-up gloves to enter the performance market with this version, the new Kona N. 

This is the third N model introduced to the Australian market. It is offered in two trim levels, both with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a sophisticated sport suspension tuned with direct input from Hyundai's local product experts. And we put him through a lengthy launch program.

Hyundai Kona 2022: N Premium
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	9l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$50,500

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

Kona already looks like a suspicious secret agent looking out for you from the shadows, but this N puts on a sporty three-nostril look. But don't be fooled, these are plastic plugs for cosmetic purposes only.

But turning them on moves the Hyundai “Lazy H” logo right in front of the hood to the middle of the black N grille.

The bottom of the front clip has been completely rearranged to accommodate LED headlights and DRLs, as well as large vents for additional brake and engine cooling.

TN is getting into a sporty mood with three nostrils in his nose.

The five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels are unique to the Kona N, the exterior mirror caps are black, the side skirts with red highlights run along the side sill panels, the usually gray plastic fender flares are painted in body color, and there is a pronounced spoiler on the front. top of the tailgate, and the diffuser is surrounded by thick twin tailpipes.

Seven colors are available: "Atlas White", "Cyber ​​Grey", "Ignite Flame" (red), "Phantom Black", "Dark Knight", "Gravity Gold" (matte) and signature "Performance Blue" N.

At the rear is a diffuser flanked by thick twin tailpipes.

Inside, there are sporty front bucket seats trimmed in black cloth on the N and a suede/leather combination on the N Premium. 

The sports steering wheel is partially covered in leather, as is the shift and parking brake lever, with blue contrast stitching all over, while the pedals are trimmed with aluminum trim. 

The overall look is relatively traditional, although there is a customizable 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster above the center console and a multimedia touchscreen of the same size.

Behind the wheel is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

And I love how Hyundai notes the handbrake is applied so "the driver can force slip in tighter corners."

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

There's nothing better than this performance-focused, dynamic response-focused small SUV close to its $47,500 before road expenses.

There are a few that can be loosely described as competitors: the top-end VW Tiguan 162 TSI R-Line ($54,790) is getting closer, and the all-wheel-drive VW T-Roc R will be even closer, but probably 10k more expensive than the Hyundai. when it arrives next year.

N is available in "Atlas White", "Cyber ​​Gray", "Ignite Flame", "Phantom Black", "Dark Knight", "Gravity Gold" and "Performance Blue".

You can add the Audi Q3 35 TFSI S line Sportback ($51,800) and the BMW 118i sDrive 1.8i M Sport ($50,150) to the list, though they're also a little more expensive. 

Still, $47.5 is a solid wad of cash for a small SUV. For that amount, you'll need a decent fruit basket, and the Kona N does it very well.

N is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels.

Aside from standard performance and safety tech, key features are climate control, keyless entry and start, LED headlights, DRLs and taillights, and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero high-tech rubber.

There's also an eight-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as digital radio, wireless charging cradle, automatic rain sensors, rear privacy glass and Track Maps data logging and reading system.

Then for an additional $3k, the Kona N Premium ($50,500) adds power heated and ventilated driver and passenger seats, a heated steering wheel, suede and leather upholstery, a head-up display, interior lighting, and a glass sunroof.

Inside is a 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

Hyundai covers the Kona N with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, and the iCare program includes a "Lifetime Maintenance Plan" as well as 12-month 24/XNUMX roadside assistance and an annual sat-nav map update (the last two extended). free of charge every year, up to age XNUMX if the car is serviced by an authorized Hyundai dealer).

Maintenance is scheduled every 12 months/10,000 km (whichever comes first) and there's a prepaid option, which means you can lock in prices and/or include maintenance costs in your financial package.

Owners also have access to the myHyundai online portal, where you can find detailed information about the operation and characteristics of the car, as well as special offers and customer support.

Maintenance for the Kona N will set you back $355 for each of the first five years, which isn't bad at all. 

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

With a length of more than 4.2 m, the Kona is a very compact SUV. And the front feels cosy, but that fits with the character of the N, and the rear is remarkably roomy, especially in light of the car's rearward-sloping roofline.

At 183 cm tall, I had enough leg, head and toe room to sit behind the driver's seat set for my position without issue. Three adults in the back will be uncomfortably close for anything but short trips, though kids will be fine.

From the front, the Kona N feels snug.

Inside, there are two cupholders in the front center console, a wireless charging bin serves as a handy storage area, there is a decent glovebox, ample storage/center armrest between the seats, a drop-down sunglasses holder, and also door bins, though the space of the latter is limited by the intrusion of the speakers. 

At the rear, there are two more cupholders in the fold-down center armrest, door shelves (with speakers invading again), as well as mesh pockets on the backs of the front seats and a small storage tray at the rear of the center console. But there are no ventilation holes.

It will be inconvenient to put three adults in the back.

Connectivity is through two USB-A connectors (one for media, one for power only) and a 12V socket on the front console, and another USB-A connector on the back. 

Boot capacity is 361 liters with the second-row split-folding seats folded down and 1143 liters folded down, which is impressive for a car of this size. The kit includes four mounting anchors and a luggage net, and a space-saving spare part is located under the floor.

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What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

The Kona N is powered by an all-alloy (Theta II) 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electronic limited-slip differential.

It is equipped with high-pressure direct injection and dual variable valve timing, which allows it to develop power of 206 kW at 5500-6000 rpm and 392 Nm at 2100-4700 rpm. The Peak Power Enhancement feature, which Hyundai calls "N Grin Shift", boosts power to 213kW within 20 seconds.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers 206 kW/392 Nm.

It can be used multiple times, but requires a 40-second respite between bursts to cool down.

How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

Hyundai's official fuel economy figure for the Kona N, according to ADR 81/02 - urban and extra-urban, is 9.0 l/100 km, while the 2.0-liter four emits 206 g/km CO02.

Stop/start is standard, and we saw the dash average, yes, 9.0L/100km city, B-road and freeway running on a sometimes "bouncy" start.

With a filled tank of 50 liters, this number corresponds to a range of 555 km.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

The Kona has a maximum five-star ANCAP rating (based on 2017 criteria) with technologies designed to help you avoid a crash, including a long list of assists, the main one being Forward Collision Avoidance Assist.

It's what Hyundai says is AEB, operating at city, city and intercity speeds with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection enabled.

You will then be assisted with everything from your blind spot and high beams to lane keeping and rear cross traffic.

Tire pressure and your attention behind the wheel are monitored with a host of other alerts, including adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera on the safety list.

If a sheet metal interface is unavoidable, there are six airbags on board, as well as three overhead cables and two ISOFIX child seat positions in the second row.      

What is it like to drive? 8/10

This Kona immediately becomes the fastest model in the local Hyundai N lineup, using the standard launch control system to reach 0 km/h in 100 seconds.

Peak torque of 392Nm is enough for a small SUV weighing just over 1.5 tons, and it's more of a plateau than a peak, with that number available in the 2100-4700rpm range. 

The max power of 206kW then takes over with its own little tabletop from 5500-6000rpm, so you can always get a lot of punch if you squeeze your right foot. Hyundai claims it hits 80-120 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, and the car feels just as fast at mid-range.

The N track is wider than the regular Kona.

The power boost function, activated by the corresponding bright red button on the steering wheel, automatically selects the lowest possible gear and puts the transmission and exhaust into Sport+ mode. The digital clock on the instrument cluster counts down 20 seconds.  

The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is paired with engine mapping that minimizes torque loss between gears, and shifting is positive and quick when upshifting or downshifting, especially when the paddles are pressed in manual mode.

It's also adaptive in the sense that in Sport or N mode, the gearbox "learns" your driving style and adapts accordingly. If it catches the fact that you start tapping on it, it will start switching up later and down earlier.

This Kona immediately becomes the fastest model in the local Hyundai N lineup.

Tiptronic-style cars have had this trick up their sleeve for 30+ years, and the Kona N unit adjusts quickly and subtly, while the shift indicators in the main unit on the standard N and on the head-up display in the N Premium add a touch of F1-style drama. . 

There are three settings for active exhaust (related to driving modes) and it constantly adjusts the internal valve to modulate volume and flow based on throttle position and engine RPM. The “electronic sound generator” also contributes, but the overall tone in the upper register creaks pleasantly.

Developed at Hyundai's sprawling Namyang proving ground (south of Seoul) and refined by Hyundai's engineering center on the Nürburgring's Nordschleife (they are at the heart of the N brand), the Kona N features additional structural reinforcements and more attachment points for key suspension components.

There are always a lot of punches available through right leg squeezing.

Speaking of which, the suspension is strut front, multi-link rear, springs are beefed up front (52%) and rear (30%), and adaptive dampers are controlled by G-sensors tuned locally for Australian conditions. The track has also become wider: 20 mm at the front and 7.0 mm at the rear.

According to Tim Roger, product development manager for Hyundai Australia, who did most of the hands-on fine-tuning work, the Kona's relatively long suspension travel gives it plenty of room to strike an acceptable compromise between ride comfort and dynamic response.

We still face the counterintuitive task of making a high-slung SUV handle like a low-slung sports car, but in sportier modes, the Kona N feels good in corners and rides well in more comfort-oriented ones. settings.

Electric power steering provides good road feel.

Four preset driving modes are available (Eco, Normal, Sport, N), each of which adjusts the calibration of the engine, transmission, stability control, exhaust, LSD, steering and suspension.

Two custom settings can also be customized and mapped to the Performance Blue N buttons on the steering wheel.

In Sport or N mode on corner exit, the electronic LSD cuts power without a hint of scratching the inside of the front wheel, and the Pirelli P-Zero 235/40 rubber (labeled "HN" for the Hyundai N) provides extra flex thanks to its slightly higher lateral wall.

Kona N feels good in corners.

The electric power steering provides good road feel and good direction, the sport front seats are grippy yet comfortable, and the layout of the main controls is fairly simple.

The brakes are ventilated discs all around (360mm front/314mm rear), and selecting N mode with ESC off allows the brake and throttle to be applied simultaneously without blowing the ECU fuse. Pedal feel is good and application is progressive, even in the midst of an "enthusiastic" B-road session.

Verdict

The Hyundai Kona N is unique in the Australian new car market. Proper hot hatch performance in an urban SUV with practicality, safety and features to match its racy looks and sharp dynamics. Ideal for small families traveling… fast.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, providing room and board.