2022 Hyundai Kona N - The Goldilocks Zone

Kona N or GTI?
Kona N or Golf R?
Kona N or Civic Type R?
As tested: $34,200
20.T 4 cylinder
276 hp (286 hp with NGS*)
289 lb-ft
8 speed dual-clutch transmission
0-60 in 4.8 seconds
e-LSD front axle
Pirelli PZero tires
19 inch wheels
adaptive dampers
active exhaust
digital gauge cluster
touch screen infotainment
wired apple car play & android auto
heated seats
power seats
no sunroof
wireless charger
N buttons on steering wheel
NGS overboost button on steering wheel
lap timer
telemetry
quiet mode
sounds of nature
lane centering
no adaptive cruise

[@Plague_Runner_]

I love my Kona N! I'm coming from driving an 06 mustang and 17 toyota 860 86. I now have 3 kids so it's a lot more practical for me and still plenty fun. The features are a plenty coming from vehicles that were stripped to drag or drift. The other car I was considering was a pre-owned type R, but having the extra seat, brand new vehicle, and the fun factor is still all there. Coming from rear wheel having the power in the front took some getting used to. But at the price point this car is perfect for me. Tip: go to the dealer at the end of the month when the dealer hasn't hit their monthly sales. I got mine a few grand under invoice 😉

[@CLhighlightsful]

Are you having issues with FWD? Only thing putting me off so far is that I wanted Sporty SUV that is AWD, but this is FWD only. do you think it is a deal breaker compared AWD, or doesnt make much difference?

[@pupete01]

I love my Kona N and I’m 59! I don’t need luxury. In normal mode I can get 32 mpg on hwy.

[@vroomgc]

I agree I get the same kinda mileage with my KN , when I drive in Normal mode that is.. and I'm 62 :)

[@cindysue5474]

I get 24 to 27 city hwy combined drving the freeway in eco mode I have gotton 34.6 MPG.

[@ronforeman2556]

Me too. And I find myself driving most often in Normal Mode.

[@CaliforniaKonaN]

Amazing vehicle (but I'm biased ha)! I've had it lowered and downsizing to 18s with a thicker has def helped with the ride quality while still maintaining performance.

[@ecolon217]

What wheels/tires did you swap to? If you don’t mind sharing

[@CaliforniaKonaN]

@@ecolon217 went with an 18x8.5 +45 SuperSpeed wheels and 235/45R18 Yokohama advan apex tires

[@Jose83017]

Damn my home town Milwaukee❤️❤️ thats miller park now they changed it to American family field love the scenery and car great job👍

[@RyGuy1135]

It’ll always be Miller Park.

[@jackdaniels2905]

Haha I was close, for a sec I thought it was Lambeau.

[@archieunevski]

That's American specs, in Australia we also get the premium version.

[@rckticeman13]

With winter coming, how are you preparing to drive this in the upper midwest weather? I currently have a trailblazer RS but can't stop looking at the Kona N.

[@downshiftjr3325]

this was just a press car, but i would just get some winter tires and then be fine

[@lifeofmike556]

Hey man I hope you see this. My Kona N was in an accident and I have a Blazer RS as a rental vehicle. I gotta say they're 2 totally different cars. This Blazer is smooth and refined as possible. I can only describe it as driving an elephant. The audio is also really good. The Blazer is a GREAT daily driver. However the Kona N is much faster and more agile. It's not as roomy. Go test drive one and see for yourself. 2 different cars... But you might find the Kona to be too small for your liking. It was a lot more safety features and tech. I also have Corssclimate 2 tires on it that make easy work of the snow. I've owned it for 1 year in Chicago and I love it!

[@techpappee]

You don't need N suspension unless on track. Its adjustable, they have sorted it out with that option. You can use N custom to make it so, everything is adjustable through infotainment.

[@downshiftjr3325]

mate, even dialed back this thing is as stiff as can be.

[@captainsewerrat]

@@downshiftjr3325 I'd call it Stiff, Hard and Ouch. Though to be fair, I think it's totally liveable on normal setting. That being said, our roads in Germany are generally decent for the most part ,at least where I'm driving. But I wouldn't use Sport+ when I am anywhere near something that is anything resembling bad asphalt. lol.

[@karmahunden]

Im a 6mt purist, but the more I kept thinking that Albert Biermann built these N| cars to mimic the BMW ///Ms, the more I kept wanting to give the DCT a chance. The 6mt is rubbery just like the bmws, and that’s not a good thing. Maybe if it was more like the Hondas, so DCT feels like a better option since it has already received many praises, some mentioning how much better it is than the current DSG 7spd in the golf mk8s - and that speaks volumes. I’m also a busy dad that sometimes jumps in the car with enough energy to drive fast, but without enough energy to drive a clutch. Find myself in this vibe far too often, and the KN keeps making soooo much sense. Part of this dad-exhaustion leads to things I would’ve never done in my past cars, like, hit potholes, go over curbs, etc. Doesn’t happen often -or ever- but I’ve certainly had some close calls when the toddler is having some sort of tantrum or asking for some damn disney song that I don’t know about as i keep browsing spotify in pure panic 😅

[@paulklp8262]

As a 26 year old dad who sold the MX-5 for a Kona N, everything you say is relatable. No regrets on the upgrade. Car is a bloody riot, just extremely stiff (I have a lot of speed bumps in my suburb).

[@lordeest]

I thought the uk roads were bad!! Someone needs to get onto the council...

[@pipiaakotze]

the roads are so shitty in this video, glad i may drive my kona n on good streets and not on these 3rd world roads.

[@markc6714]

Premium version has the sunroof, seats, etc

[@RoxUnlimited]

No sunroof in the US market

[@dustmighte]

Grande kona

[@ugoernest3790]

❤️😊✍🏽

[@DADRacingYT]

In line for the Elantra N

[@downshiftjr3325]

excellent choice!

[@zayteer1657]

Not in the UK though that's a shame.

[@JesusHernandez-gh7wl]

Is Hyundai reliable for long term?

[@downshiftjr3325]

You get 100,000 mule warranty so they believe in it 🤷‍♂️

[@archieunevski]

Yes Hyundai and Kia are reliable, I have been driving Korean made cars since 2005 ( was driving Japanese made cars before 2005 ) and now own a Hyundai Kona N, I have never had any engine or transmission issues with either brand Hyundai or Kia, Archie in Australia.

[@gpmooch2256]

can the camera guy let buddy thats on camera do the talking thank you

[@Boomtowndogs]

I can't get over the Jorts

[@CapELarry]

Maybe pay attention to the car and not a man’s legs?

[@downshiftjr3325]

jorts till the death!

[@downshiftjr3325]

lololol these beefy quads and calves can be distracting...i get it

[@joeykitty2892]

One has to ask the question; why did Hyundai make this car? It's classified as an SUV, but they did not configure this car for that customer base. A customer that wants performance plus a modicum of comfort and usability. Hmm...

[@vroomgc]

And yet people are buying it ;)

[@downshiftjr3325]

yeah, I think if this car was comfortable to drive it would make more sense, but they kind of missed the mark slightly with that. Elantra N all day.

[@carloscervantes836]

@@vroomgc maybe but apparently not enough to continue it. No Kona N gen 2. The new body is also too big of a departure so I’m no longer interested in the model as a Gen 1 owner.

[@vroomgc]

@@carloscervantes836 I'm the same actually and will be looking at something else possibly this year

[@mustangGT375]

Nothing to sort out, the torque steer is the drama that a lot of these newer cars have tuned out. The drama is what makes the car fun… as for mpg… ya, you’re driving the shit out of the car plus traffic = bad mpg… I drive the shit out of mine and still get 27mpg. As for stiffness, i always drive the suspension on normal and is perfectly fine.

[@downshiftjr3325]

The torque steer wouldn't be such a gripe if it was more predictable, one day it pulls right, the other left, same street and everything.

[@mustangGT375]

I have noticed that when i am still in the fuel learning that there is definitely way way less torque steer.

[@miggz2020]

Haters

[@miggz2020]

The positives outweigh the negatives. There isn't many compromises!

[@downshiftjr3325]

Haters?

[@quonslecn7755]

Damn. Imagine paying $35k for a Hyundai.

[@irockz9723]

Which is currently smashing the hot hatch market ? And currently the most talked about car brand in 2022? Bearing in mind 35k for 300hp hatch is near 15k less than it's competition and they do it better

[@downshiftjr3325]

what do you drive Quons?

[@cwilliamsphoto]

Hyundai is killing it in the US market with several cars in the $30k+ range. I have a Palisade and I see TONS of them and other new models or the Kia equivalent on the road more than just about anything else. Their overall lineup is super impressive (lots of hybrids and EV's) and other manufacturers really need to take note. The little Kona N is just icing on the cake where other companies are starting to ditch their performance cars.

[@jamesg8246]

Fake inlets and jeep cherokee headlights are objectively not cool or good looking.