2022 Hyundai Kona N First Drive Review | N-credible!

[@iLLustrious85]

He bro, long time follower ... maybe since u had 1.2K subscribers ...or 2015 or so

[@BrianMakse]

Right on! Thanks for sticking around, Josh!

[@cindysue5474]

@@BrianMakse Did it have the heads up display on the dash? Have seen no prices or options for the Kona N in the US.

[@BrianMakse]

@@cindysue5474 Sure does. Probably hard to see in the episode. Price came out yesterday, apparently, and your only choice is colour. Someone has noted the price in the comments here somewhere.

[@martinh.6016]

Great review by someone who knows how to evaluate a car!

[@punemax]

I own a black one and man is it hella fun.

[@BrianMakse]

Sure is! Enjoy!

[@FkSCF]

@@BrianMakse I have the black one too had a Vacuum Pump problem but it's fixed now love it..

[@sunnyvalentino]

Thank you for not falling for marketing and calling this "hot hatch - with a raised seat on blocks" a SUV. It has less ground clearance Vs a Stinger. The feeling of high CG I think comes from its narrow width and high seating.

[@BrianMakse]

It genuinely has a higher cg than any car. Like I said in the episode, they had to put a ton of spring into the car to keep roll to a minimum and the thing still picks up the inside rear wheel in corners.

[@markc6714]

I love KZbin commenters that have NO idea what they're talking about. The Kona N has the same ground clearance as the standard kona. Next time you feel the urge to comment, sit down and let the adults talk.

[@sunnyvalentino]

Man, there are just soo many good offerings in this reasonably priced and practical/DD friendly segment now. New GTI, this cheeky car, the more practical and serious/newer platform Elantra N and the new SI which is off to rave reviews. Then there's the BRZ/GR86 and upcoming Integra and new WRX. I've not driven any of them but this one seems like the rascal of the bunch, I lust after the pure GR86, always blown away by the clean exterior lines+top notch interior of the GTI and the new Si just seems like comeback for Honda performance. Choices are hard but you win with any of these I think. Thanks for bringing this to us - hope you bring the rest once you get your hands on em.

[@rdiamond655]

Absolutely agree, so many good choices in the affordable range.

[@leeraymer166]

This is an interesting proof of concept that shows that Hyundai group with Albert Biermann can give the AMG and BMW M treatment to any Hyundai/Kia/Genesis they want to. I’d be very interested to see which vehicle in their lineup get the full N treatment next.

[@BrianMakse]

Totally agreed, Lee. Want to see some Genesis product with a little aggression.

[@canadianaviator]

@@BrianMakse GV60 performance!

[@limpunsing224]

At least Hyundai, Toyota/Subaru & Honda are still offering affordable fun to drive cars for enthusiasts during seasons of hard times

[@crazylegson2]

Which one do you like more? The Elantra N or the Kona? And if the Elantra, was it better with the manual?

[@BrianMakse]

The one I’d buy, and perhaps I may add one to the family garage, is the Elantra N DCT. The manual is above average, but the dual clutch is quicker and more versatile.

[@KLI22]

@@BrianMakse Is the Elantra N DCT even better to drive than the N Line Sonata in your opinion?

[@stevethomas760]

Solid not nonsense review. Interested in the Kona N for its practicality and if it were available with a manual, I would be in line tomorrow. Well, I would if the dealers decide to sell it for MSRP.

[@BrianMakse]

What are dealers doing?

[@PaxtonNoble]

@@BrianMakse dealers are marking up the price, went to a dealership here in NYC for a kona, starting price was 35,795 after taxes and fees came to 44,400. Apart of that amount they said there is a N-Line fee that’s about 4000. Pretty dumb if you ask me considering it’s not a top tier sports vehicle . I think the msrp is just there to get you to wanna try and buy it because 35k is exceptionally reasonable for a car like the Kona N, however 44k not so much.

[@therealboofighter]

A decade later Hyundai comes out with a Pontiac Vibe GT/ Toyota Matrix XRS competitor. Lol. This is a interesting little thing. I wish it was AWD.

[@BrianMakse]

I remember those things! This one’s a bit better than those rides. Would be a proper weapon with awd in the winter!

[@therealboofighter]

@@BrianMakse Did you have a chance to ask why they didn’t put AWD in this model?

[@clifhellner1493]

Hyundai says, they were trying to keep weight down, as well as pricing. AWD would have added more of an expense.

[@oz88og40]

I love the Kona N awesome looking machine

[@drumflip1253]

Own one love it!

[@BrianMakse]

How many miles? Glad you got one!

[@williamk1800]

Hi Brian, will the Kona N be available with a sunroof option in Canada, or will the Elantra N be the only way to get a sunroof on an N model here?

[@BrianMakse]

To my knowledge, there are no options and your only choice is colour.

[@williamk1800]

@@BrianMakse Thanks! Guess the Elantra N becomes more attractive to me despite my preference for hatch openings! Must have a sunroof on my daily driver.

[@clifhellner1493]

Elantra N gets a standard sunroof with the automatic. Manual, doesn’t get a sunroof.

[@addiegaskin6807]

Canadian kona n should have a sunroof

[@b2spirit86]

It's really special one - we can go camping and racing in a same vehicle

[@BrianMakse]

You can definitely go camping, but racing depends on what you call racing.

[@karmahunden]

What's more FUN (not agile or quicker): This or a '22 Veloster 6mt?

[@BrianMakse]

Hit the Super Thanks and we'll have a 'this or that' discussion!

[@xeekk]

Pricing announced on Nov 30., $35,425 w/ Wet DCT including $1,225 destination.

[@BrianMakse]

Is that USA?

[@xeekk]

@@BrianMakse yes. They have the press release out, the Elantra N has pricing released to dealerships too, but not an official press release yet: 32,925 for manual and 34,425 for DCT, with destination.

[@clifhellner1493]

Yep, Hyundai released pricing yesterday on the Kona. Dealership might consider the Kona N, a “specialty” vehicle. If so, will be interesting to see what the “adjusted price” will be. I’ve been looking at Kona Limited trims and the “adjusted price” is $2,000 over MSRP. Wouldn’t be shocked if dealers price the Kona N, $3,000-$5,000 over MSRP. With “adjusted price”, destination, dealer fees, tax, etc…this thing could potentially be $42-45K out the door. 😐

[@1209MArky]

@@BrianMakse yup

[@muskistutter]

@@clifhellner1493 my local dealer advertised their market adjustment to be 15K (!) over MSRP. Good luck to the fool who pays that.

[@tkp77]

Can this compete with a Cupra Formentor or Ateca?

[@BrianMakse]

It actually competes against the SoroSuub X-34.

[@daviddang82]

Is the higher height noticeable in handling compared to a hot hatch that’s lower to the ground?

[@Freestyleny]

The N cars are great

[@jh276]

No cracks and crackle during downshifting?

[@BrianMakse]

It actually does that, but I shot two episodes that day and didn’t have enough time or cooperative weather to capture much sound.

[@jamesnicol3831]

put a deposit on an incoming N SPEC @MSRP your review was an influence on my decision.

[@BrianMakse]

Let me know what you think after you’ve got some miles under your belt! Which colour did you order?

[@rajTrondhjem10]

Can this car be used as a daily driver and only car for a small family? Thanks

[@BrianMakse]

Yes

[@RD-ni7qe]

Apparently the i30N has more cargo carrying capacity?

[@1209MArky]

How stiff was it on normal suspension setting?

[@BrianMakse]

It’s firm in any setting. Ride quality is primarily determined by spring rates, which are fixed of course.

[@matthewb1973]

How's the exhaust note when the setting is on Normal (or whatever they quietest setting is)? Just want to be a good neighbor, and also not annoy the wife while we're driving around.

[@BrianMakse]

Just fine, no worries with the exhaust. The ride, however, might be something your wife may complain about.

[@matthewb1973]

@@BrianMakse Thank you for the info. We usually do our longer road trips in my Toyota Tacoma. But, if I do get the Kona (it'll be my daily driver/play toy), we'll use her Tucson for the road trip duties.

[@BrianMakse]

@@matthewb1973 that should do just fine.

[@2MenEQ]

The grille has a BLACK H - yeaaahhhss 🖤

[@IvebenKruzen]

If only Hyundai realized what "Kona" means in Portuguese ... 😳 Great review as always Brian!

[@BrianMakse]

I don’t want to know. Glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@lotsofcurveslover]

Hahaha....I was born in Lisbon and lived there for 11 years and this never occurred to me....hahaha.

[@VitoC.]

"N Grin Swift"?

[@BrianMakse]

I really don't care for this idea, but I have to mention it because if I just call it 'overboost' like it should be called, plenty of people will be confused. Still, I would love to test it on a circuit.

[@karmahunden]

@@BrianMakse I feel like they missed an oppty to call it NOS (N Overboost Shift) ...like, wtf.. it's such a low-hanging fruit, Hyundai!!

[@karmahunden]

maybe the legal dept was afraid ppl would mistake it by thinking it was actually using Nitrous...

[@BrianMakse]

@@karmahunden no doubt, but I'm sure legal action would have followed!

[@mgm5316]

👍

[@markc6714]

2 forced long ads. Automatic down vote

[@BrianMakse]

What are you talking about?

[@yomofoindahouse]

I love huyndai. If I were to buy a cheap car - that would be hyundai. 👍

[@buildmorefarms1007]

His chin worries me!

[@BrianMakse]

Which colours are your American national championship racing trophies?

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Your chin hair worries me, sir.

[@tedtedness184]

Hyundai has FAILED, it NEEDS AWD and it is way to high for no reason. It's roll center is way out of wack, it is a street racer NOT and off road car. And every review calls this problem out. AND no, you non AWD knowing people can't convince me the 2WD eLSD is good enough. NO, it is not. It is an axle tramp nightmare like all FWD high HP cars. And every review calls this out. This car was meant to be AWD. The weight is a BS excuse because to get a Kona balanced you need to add 100+ lbs in the rear in AWD form as the Kona was designed with too much weight cantilevered over the front wheels. In AWD form the Kona AWD N would steal 1/4 of the sales from the Golf R and would pull a chunk from the WRX and some from BMW and Audi, as many who buy those cars used, would now buy a new Kona N AWD. BUT NOT in 2WD form, it is a stinker in this under performing 2WD form to grab "next level buyers." Let alone more females who have money and always buy specialty AWD cars for safety as long as it has an automatic trans as it would have, those buyers are not buying a 2WD Kona N Hyundai failed on this one. So all you people who NEVER drove a properly setup AWD sports car can chime in with very weak arguments. Remember, a tire can only grip 100% if it has to put down 100% power input and 100% steering input you are not going anywhere fast. In AWD form and a non OEM alignment an AWD will dance through the corners, this 2WD car will not. Sales have been lost by a large number, because of this stupid choice of FWD only. What a shame. Oh yea, Hyundai, why does North America get the heavy UGLY cast rims and Europe gets the nice light weight forged rims?

[@BrianMakse]

You’ve got an awful lot to say for someone who hasn’t driven a Kona N!

[@tedtedness184]

@@BrianMakse I don't need to, I have a tuner AWD Kona that handles better then a Kona N. I have raced high HP FWD cars and AWD my whole life . I have a lot to say when Hyundai failed so bad on this car. There are SO MANY posts on people thinking the same thing. Almost every review calls out the AWD failure. Then they complain about axle tramp and BAD torque steer. $1,400 AWD option away from fixing the car, except the horrible roll center, for no reason.

[@BrianMakse]

LOL

[@xtremegamer78]

@@tedtedness184 majority of people wouldnt know the difference get a life goddamn lol

[@tedtedness184]

Hyundai has FAILED, it NEEDS AWD and it is way to high for no reason. It's roll center is way out of wack, it is a street racer NOT and off road car. And every review calls this problem out. AND no, you non AWD knowing people can't convince me the 2WD eLSD is good enough. NO, it is not. It is an axle tramp nightmare like all FWD high HP cars. And every review calls this out. This car was meant to be AWD. The weight is a BS excuse because to get a Kona balanced you need to add 100+ lbs in the rear in AWD form as the Kona was designed with too much weight cantilevered over the front wheels. In AWD form the Kona AWD N would steal 1/4 of the sales from the Golf R and would pull a chunk from the WRX and some from BMW and Audi, as many who buy those cars used, would now buy a new Kona N AWD. BUT NOT in 2WD form, it is a stinker in this under performing 2WD form to grab "next level buyers." Let alone more females who have money and always buy specialty AWD cars for safety as long as it has an automatic trans as it would have, those buyers are not buying a 2WD Kona N Hyundai failed on this one. So all you people who NEVER drove a properly setup AWD sports car can chime in with very weak arguments. Remember, a tire can only grip 100% if it has to put down 100% power input and 100% steering input you are not going anywhere fast. In AWD form and a non OEM alignment an AWD will dance through the corners, this 2WD car will not. Sales have been lost by a large number, because of this stupid choice of FWD only. What a shame. Oh yea, Hyundai, why does North America get the heavy UGLY cast rims and Europe gets the nice light weight forged rims?

[@BrianMakse]

You have an awful lot of criticism for someone who hasn’t driven it, let alone on a racing circuit.

[@tedtedness184]

@@BrianMakse I have a tuner Kona AWD that handles better then a Kona N. So I do know. 2WD is not the answer. AWD is.

[@BrianMakse]

I have no doubt you're a more accomplished engineer than Albert Biermann.

[@tedtedness184]

@@BrianMakse I have seen your videos, you are smarter then that comment. You know any car can be a race car if you lower it, run semi-solid bushings, run a tune, play with the weight distribution and tune the suspension for a street/track car. Not hard to make any car better then a mass produced production car. Not hard to make a better handling Hyundai car then Biermann oversaw. Biermann isn't going to add 100 lbs to the rear of a Kona AWD to give it better weight distribution. Bierman isn't going to run a 11lbs battery, Bierman isnt't going to run a Wagner racing intercooler. Biermann isnt going to run frame stiffeners ( except i30 rear towers) Bierman isnt going to box the control arms. You know better, tuner car 101.

[@kevonrcguy2205]

U talk too much 🤦‍♂️