2024 Hyundai Kona N-Line - POV First Driving Impressions

From $32,150
1.6L Turbocharged I4 - 190 Horsepower, 195 lb-ft
8-speed automatic, AWD
8.3 inches of ground clearance
MPG: 24 City / 29 Highway / 26 Combined
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Thanks for watching!

[@Icehawks7]

I like how car manufacturers are slowly bringing back the column shifter in vehicles that aren’t pickup trucks. It frees up a lot of space in the center console.

[@Jst4vdeos]

I always liked the column shifter, kinda was a good reason to get a higher specd xlt rather than a lariat on the 150s to keep the column shifter in some model years

[@Icehawks7]

@@Jst4vdeos exactly I remember when you could special order an XLT to have leather seats but you still got the column shifter.

[@whosthis1230]

Still love the traditional column shifters more though, a little more fun and intuitive rather than tilting a knob

[@Icehawks7]

@@whosthis1230 I totally agree. But, what Hyundai is doing is a step in the right direction at the very least. #nomoreconsoleshifters

[@whosthis1230]

@@Icehawks7 Yeah

[@rootsmanuva82]

I gotta say, Hyundai, KIA and Genesis really know how to break new boundaries when it comes to styling. With so many manufactures moving in the wrong direction, this trio of automakers are leading the way.

[@chuckwalla2967]

The shifter knob makes sense to me. Twist forward to go forward and twist backward to back.

[@Steve_in_NJ]

That makes a lot of sense. Drive forward and reverse back. Very Ioniq of Kona engineers!

[@jeffc1753]

Yes, twist forward like you would to turn on a car that uses a key to start instead of a push button.

[@pr1mefire]

idk why there's so much criticism across all journalists about the column shifter. you twist it forward to go forward, you twist it backwards to go backwards - how is that too complex???

[@ajc2924]

And they praise the buttons

[@Timmymtd]

idk what it is but when you’re in the vehicle it’s just not intuitive. Ive driven this style and almost wrecked it as a valet

[@MishtahPoog]

I don't think many are criticizing complexity -- they're saying the order of the gears is opposite that of most other cars, so you might make occasional mistakes until you get used to it. I'd imagine that auto reviewers, who drive many different cars, would be more prone to noticing this than regular people. An owner would eventually get used to it in no time.

[@donna8243]

Human nature is to resist change 🤷‍♀️

[@krisr3883]

I don't get it either. You twist forward to go forward and back to go in reverse. Seems pretty straight forward to me too. With the number of people that it seems to be an issue for, maybe they do need something different. Maybe pushing the whole stock forward for forward or pulling it towards you for reverse would be better.

[@DoodleyDavid]

I can say my 2020 Sonata with this exact same powertrain has been absolutely incredible to me these past three years. Nearing 75,000 miles and it still runs like a champ. Getting 33-39mpg all the time

[@General_M]

The target demographic will have potentially never experienced old school column shifter. So the way Hyundai made it makes more logical sense, forward means drive forward and backwards means backwards. 11:31

[@toastla]

The column shifter movement reminds me of a traditional key ignition switch, which then kind of make sense that D is the inward direction. Nice vid!

[@Unchainedmaple888]

We seriously need a full N version of this Kona, it's so much nicer than the old Kona inside and out

[@noahmoore7373]

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE TY TROPHER

[@rootsmanuva82]

The front end reminds me of the 5th-Gen 1989-1993 Toyota Celica with the headlights stowed away. Looks pretty cool.

[@donteadoss]

Just looked at one pulled onto the showroom y’day discussing it with the sales staff as my Sonata NLine was being serviced - definitely a sharp lil’ CUV in terms of its aesthetics & personally hoping the Kona N is brought to the states if updated as well along with the upcoming Sonata & Elantra. 🔥

[@rootsmanuva82]

I was waiting for John Davis to mosey on over from over the hill. That's MotorWeek territory lol.

[@71KR117]

I was test driving an Audi in the Owings Mills/Reisterstown area and instantly recognized the backroads as the ones from MotorWeek!

[@pinkisforpimps]

That annoying orange man lol 😂

[@Imthebesteditor2222]

​@@71KR117 The Audi rs6 is one of the best ones out there ngl

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Thanks Chris, don't change a thing!

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

I like it’s a modern interpretation use of the column shifter. Don’t have to yank and pull, like the old school ones off Grandpa’s Cadillac Brougham.

[@adk7962]

2024 Hyundai line looks fantastic. As for the Kona N, I’m surprised it came out at all. I don’t think it was a good seller because it was aimed at enthusiasts, but an enthusiast is going to get an Elantra N or a Veloster N. Thanks for the drive.

[@RoxUnlimited]

@@mauriciogarcia4190the OP is talking about the current gen Kona N

[@colin1992]

Getting the ev one next year. Can't wait.

[@tomatobrush3283]

I drive a 2019 Hyundai Kona petrol the top trim version, I love it very much. 😁

[@user-pk4yc5qp2p]

Thid guy needs alot of respect for teaching us about the new hondai

[@Unchainedmaple888]

I wish there was a turbo or hybrid HR-V to compete with this Kona.

[@Kevin-qz4eq]

gorgeous dashboard. Looks like a combination of 2020's screens and 80's before they became all curvy and organic.

[@Steve_in_NJ]

I currently drive a 2022 Kona Limited (FWD, ICE) and saw your 2024 Kona EV video yesterday. Today, I am really excited to see the N-trim Kona as I have the same ICE engine -- engine is a carryover from previous version, but so glad the DCT is gone -- plus, I like the exterior color WITHOUT that annoying black/gray plastic trim around the sides. Vehicle looks sharp when all one color (but not a fan of rear spoiler). Going to have to decide cost differences between N and Limited trims as it appears both have same dash layout (12.5" infotainment). But Limited has the leather seats (which I have now and could give up) and the power liftgate (which I have never had before). I think the Navigation is only on the Limited trim too but I rarely need it with all my local driving. Sunroof? Is there one on the N? That I would miss if I didn't get the Limited. Of course, the EV version is also in the mix so hopefully I can afford a new Kona in late 2024, when my next Kona will possibly be a 2025 model. IF I can afford it, or else, I buy my current 2022 which will be about half the price of a new model.

[@catsudon8280]

push shifter forward to drive forward and pull back to go in reverse. makes sense.

[@BrandonG8Man]

Not sure what’s confusing about twisting forward to go forward and twisting backward to go backward.

[@genericsneeze5569]

I think the n version when that comes out will be so coo. But I do really hop that they add awd as an option because while id love the kona n, I live in NYC and the fwd in winter is not what I want

[@dperr338]

Reminds me of a Jeep or Lincoln SUV mixed with the car from The National Lampoons Vacation series.

[@davidprivette8898]

Aye you’re in my hometown!

[@zero2sixty244]

I have the 1.6T and 8 speed auto on my 22 Kia K5 AWD and the transmission has been slipping since 13k miles. I’ve had the car a year and already want to get rid of it

[@Emkaiii]

Now the Elantra and Ioniq are the only vehicles with the full N package, feels kind of limited but I understand lol

[@hhaste]

I commented on your previous video about you driving past Cal Ripken JR's house (which you did again here, at 18:50) so here's another fun fact, at 19:39 that's Ray Lewis's driveway/house on the right.

[@es4941]

I actually wanted a Kona but now it's way too big. I like smaller vehicles but I still want power.

[@lookout_gamer127notjustlookout]

Hyundai just made the keyfob beep alert lower pitch and made it do a long beep for only 3 seconds 0:58

[@c8z063]

0-60?

[@bosemanracing3800]

To me it makes sense to what Hyundai has done. Forward to drive and back to go reverse 😅. I guess it’s personal preference. Maybe they can do programmable buttons but that may be a functional safety issue.

[@EscapeFPs]

It’s been on the ioniq 5 and 6 for a year and a half no safety issues as of yet

[@matthewm7155]

Honestly a shame they don't make the faster Kona N for 2024, the only thing keepign me from buying a 2021-2022 was it's interior styling and features. I still liked the old exterior, but a Kona N in the current 2024 styling would look insanely good, just a shame we don't get to see it.

[@andyiscoolie]

Shifter is the only thing I don’t like 😂

[@SnipesHalo]

This looks like inspiration from Lamborghini Urus side profile.

[@paulklp8262]

Should film it at night to show that seamless horizon.

[@philipreece4648]

At the moment it seems like there will NOT be a "N" version of the Kona, I believe that this is due to new emission laws throughout Europe - However just like the Ioniq 5 "N" there may be an Electric "N" Kona in the future. The N Line is just an trim-based appearance package, A true "N" has a chassis tuned for greater performance and dynamics. The Shifter makes complete sence especially in Europe - Forward to go Forward, and Back to go Back - Simple.....

[@BackhandBandit]

"They made it bigger..." GOTDAMMIT

[@BookWormsOriginal]

Please Make on on new Chevy TRAX

[@thearousedeunuch]

10:50 No, they didn't. You turn it forward to go into Drive, you turn it backwards to go into Reverse, as you would in any videogame where you have to drive an automatic car (W to go forward/Drive, S to go backwards/into Reverse). Edit: W and S being the keyboard keys. The Hyundai's shifter is oriented in the same way, i.e. direction of movement, instead of trying to copy the old PRND layout).

[@ajaloy4010]

They discontinued the Kona N. Very, very sad...

[@SerPurple51]

I knew it was sub Topher once the video started just judging by the beige pants 😂 The new Kona looks pretty interesting with the new angles and design elements.

[@AlMaruf94]

His voice inflections are too good. End of every sentence.. lol

[@Azotxx]

huh why unlisted btw great vid my mannnn

[@humaidik]

Mazda 6 wagon pov

[@carloscervantes836]

They made it larger so unless the next Kona N is AWD full EV, I wouldn’t even consider it. I like small cars.

[@Whileweweresinners]

Rather get a trax rs2

[@chriscleveland9203]

Reminds me of the Dodge caliber srt

[@Olilar397]

🙋🏻🙋🏻🙋🏻

[@860rondo]

Ngl I dig the exterior design. It’s just the interior is kinda “eh” and cramped for me.

[@lexisnep525]

Hyundai's low-end cars feel like walmart to me.

[@hybrid.roodragon1226]

Why does this feel cheeply made. Just hearing the tailgate... mmmmmmmm

[@suhanthkasse2297]

The first time I saw this car, I thought it was electric, but it isn’t.

[@blue-tb2fd]

You can get the Kona as a fully electric model too

[@projectswandive]

Styling and interior aside... It's still a Hyundai lol, engines are poop. So are their transmissions. I've had two friends who have gotten their Hyundai's lemon law'd here in Cali. One for his engine (2nd or 3rd motor, don't remember off the top of my head) and the other was for electrical issues. Both were 2019s.

[@Thaonomorecopyrightstrike]

I WONDER WHY HYUNDAI DIDN'T HAVE CHIME IN KOREA

[@canadianaviator]

It’s illegal

[@Thaonomorecopyrightstrike]

@@canadianaviator Nice. How and why they did that?

[@CombatVeteranUSNAVY]

Big mistake going with the 8 speed. They should have kept the 7-speed dual clutch. Keep the 8 speed for the Kona LIMITED.

[@paddynhat1311]

Yeah keep that poor quality dry dual clutch in your car if you want it to break. Stupid comment

[@CombatVeteranUSNAVY]

@@paddynhat1311 This is what you call everyone who does not think the way you do?

[@krisr3883]

This is a small SUV without a ton of power where a smoother transmission serves it better. All the reviewers are pretty much in agreement that the new tranmission is much better for the type of vehicle it is.

[@vVeazel]

Seems as most of the comments like the styling, but I personally find it horrendously over-styled. It will look out of date in a year or two once they (yet again) change the design.

[@TheTemplarnight]

looks like a fairly big downgrade especially visually, idk definitely makes me want to look elsewhere rather than get this thing now.

[@brandondannys-menary3678]

I don’t think they’ll be butthurt if you don’t buy it

[@carguy-xv2cl]

Seeing a lot of substitute Topher lately, smells suspicious.

[@27Zangle]

I like the interior but not the exterior. Usually, I like funky looking cars. Also, I think this thing is WAY over priced. Good luck Hyundai.

[@ronsmith4325]

This styling is just..... weird