Hyundai Kona N Is Bang-For-The-Buck Performance

[@SLE3PR]

Tom, back in 2012 I was sitting in the tiny office of a car salesman after seeing a manual Chevy Sonic on his lot. I had never heard of them, so I pulled out my old Samsung Galaxy Nexus and searched frantically for a video review. I found yours and subscribed that day. Ten years later, I now own a brand new Veloster N - mostly based upon your video about it.

[@juicedeservedwhathegot5491]

i have a sonic and just bought this kona n, interesting i see your comment today after purchasing

[@FiveBoroNative]

Your reviews are really what's needed. You're speaking from the perspective of a educated man talking to an audience with working class incomes. Thank you...!

[@PWarren4]

While I always like the Porsches, BMW M’s and the like - I appreciate the more common/affordable car reviews even more. Good show Tom!

[@brianreardon7700]

Tom i tell ya I have had many gtis and I mean many.. and just got a new Kona N .. never thought i would enjoy something affordable more than the gti.. but just love this silly fast little car!

[@apexcobra.official]

I cross shopped these with the GTI and in the end the Kona N won. Such a sweet car for the money! So much fun.

[@kevinennis1631]

My 2021 Hyundai Kona was at Reliable Hyundai in Springfield Missouri for over 1 1/2 years. It only had 6500 miles on it and under full warranty. It had a transmission issue (s). The dealership experience was horrible. The excuse, week after week, month after month, was that the couldn’t get approval from Hyundai Customer Care. Only after getting an attorney involved, did they finally take the car back. During that time, they didn’t give me a loaner vehicle. I spent over $16,000 for 1 1/2 years of rental car expenses. I was expecting full reimbursement, but they only reimbursed $4000. What a scam! I finally went down the street and bought a Toyota Camry. I learned a lesson. I hope you avoid what I experienced.

[@michaelarch3779]

Exceptionally well done as always, always engaging and fun to watch!!!

[@ryanm9628]

I own the car. 0-60 is Ok. This car was designed for the track. It is quite capable around the corners. It is definitely a sleeper. This car will hang with cars that are much more expensive on the track. Unfortunately, dealers are selling above MSRP.

[@ronbleazard]

I just bought one the end of October for MSRP I told them I would wait if they didn’t give me the low price. Love the car!

[@joelpeterson2074]

Great review as always, Tom! I actually got the stink eye when asking to drive a Kona N. They wouldn't let me drive it since I wasn't purchasing it that day. I'll probably just find a different dealer to test drive this. A couple things hold me back from the Kona N: as a Minnesotan I really want both all-wheel drive and a heated steering wheel. Honestly, I'd just get snow tires and deal with front wheel drive if I could have that heated steering wheel. I believe you asked me about where I was from in the comments of the Volvo XC40 Recharge review and I failed to answer, I am from the Twin Cities and I grew up watching Mark Rosen do the sports on WCCO TV. Were you TV or radio side? Also, I showed my wife the fold-out hook on the glove box in her XC40 and she was VERY pleased, so thanks for that!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Best of luck choosing. I used to work with Mark Rosen when I was a photog there. Worked the Dave and Doug Moore too (plus Steve and Marlo on PM Magazine).

[@joelpeterson2074]

@@DrivenCarReviews Thanks for the reply!

[@Rich944inSK]

@joelpeterson2074 I live right in the heart of the Canadian prairies so I can attest to being snow bound too. With a set of capable snow tires the KN is extremely capable. Stick the E-LSD into Deep Snow mode, and you virtually eliminate wheel spin in poor traction conditions. I have Nokian Hakkapeliittas, and highly recommend these tires. The Canadian cars are equipped with heated steering wheels, surprising that US cars do not?

[@BikingBadwithTC]

Designed by Hyundai’s high school interns 🤦🏻

[@freelife9512]

역시 코나N ~

[@joemartino6976]

Yikes! That adjustable exhaust would be a $2900 option on a 911.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

True

[@janoycresnova9156]

More like $9000 option

[@jayjudd6518]

Sounds like a motor cycle. Or chainsaw.

[@clubracer6]

Cool car by a cool reviewer! A compelling argument, but too many other choices out there, including some under the same badge. I think I for me the GLI or GTI would win if I were someone who buys new.

[@timalma]

Tom you're very close to have 200 K subscribers. Steady

[@wildone106]

wtf its faster than a 370z

[@SinCityAMG]

Tom, I'm 55 and wondering if this would be too boy-racer for me? I currently have a C63 and Macan GTS and looking for a daily and this and a Mini Cooper (S or JCW) caught my attention.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

You're only as young as you feel. The suspension is firm and the interior doesn't have the quality of the MINI. I suggest trying to get a test drive to see how it measure up to what you like.

[@ahmedsyed3436]

2:19 You are right, it sounds good. But they’ve gotta make this awd.

[@dumpnchase]

I know it’s becoming more common but No spare tire big negative for me.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

You could buy one, it would fit.

[@cindysue5474]

@@DrivenCarReviews Not in the US I'm going through that nightmare right now bought one from the dealer it would not fit over the brakes or rotor even on the rear. I bought a new rim over 600 bucks the dealer had to search around the US for the tires none in Arizona, I hope the new wheel will fit in the spare tire compartment wont know till the car is towed to the dealer. To folks that have one now or thinking about it first thing that is a must is a spare that fix a flat is a joke the side was torn on my tire don't understand other parts of the world get a spare but not the US its about safety not weight savings.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

​@@cindysue5474 So, you're saying a space saver won't fit over the upgraded brakes? I suppose that makes sense, I just figured there would be one in the Hyundai lineup that would.

[@cindysue5474]

@@DrivenCarReviews Yes the spare that I received would not fit but in other parts or the world the Kona N gets one that works but not the US.

[@sunnyvalentino]

Tom, great job. This N is really amazing. A new Kona is coming soon, but Albert Biermanm has retired. Would love an AWD version. Which car was more fun for you- GR86/twins or this/ElantraN ?

[@MyerShift7]

I do not like SUV's, and lament the lack of AWD AND/OR a manual, but I find these very interesting.

[@christopherprose3881]

Wish it was offered in AWD and that's it. Otherwise, it's great that buyers have an option like this at a reasonable price point. With almost 300hps, the not-as-great gas mileage makes sense, but with gas prices being what they are, some might look elsewheres. Still, I the Kona succeeds. Not as sophisticated as the GTI, but it seems to offer more bang for the buck... and a few more smiles per gallon.

[@jfresh2054]

I wish the front end was all grille. Just don't like the front end at all. Looks like those jeep compact suvs

[@pappaslivery]

I need a hatch due to having a large dog. And I want a manual. Why does Hyundai not quite make what I want.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

It's not just Hyundai. It's most automakers.

[@pappaslivery]

@@DrivenCarReviews true, but the pieces are there. They killed the Elantra gt right before we got N. And they don't give the Kona N a manual. Honda does the same where the Si isn't available in the hatch. There was a study that said that hatchbacks were popular among more euro centric enthusiasts, but so far it seems that only VW has that memo. C'mon Corolla GN!

[@TinLeadHammer]

Base GTi MKVII was $26.5K MSRP four years ago. It could be had with $5K off, $21.5K that is, because no one wanted a manual Golf. As for MKVIII, its instrument cluster is unusable and ugly, an instant fail. As I see, the Kona also uses cheap flat screens with rendered pictures of instruments - not my cup of coffee.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Welcome to the future. "Clusters" will all soon be screens.

[@brucebrowne5022]

Great review, as always. One quibble though...2:48: summer street tires like those Pirellis are great in the rain! Just keep them away from snow and ice.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Great? I don't know about great...

[@tobiasramstotter4362]

Like it or not, this is what the future of hot hatches looks like for the american market.

[@TJDST4]

I like it. It is an actual hot hatch.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Hopefully, the Kona N will eventually be made with AWD. Nice to see Mr. Evil Twin, himself lol

[@wilmotown]

I have always thought the Kona was a bit of a minger. It’s a great car, especially with this power and driving experience, but I’m not a fan of the design. The Elantra is better, but I think even that is a little much, especially compared to the very handsome 2017-18 models. Same with the Tucson. I hope they bring more Ioniq design language to their gas cars, because the 5 and the upcoming 6 and 7 all look very cool and modern without being outrageous. If I were buying a Hyundai, I’d probably hold my nose and buy a black manual N Elantra or Veloster because, based on my Veloster N test drive, that driving experience is definitely worth it.

[@citibear57]

I think the Kona is a cool-looking little hatchback. I don't think that I would go with the N model though. As for the small size, unless you have kids how often would anyone sit in the back seat? Your friends may offer to take their vehicle instead - saving you the cost of fuel. Tom, if you see this comment, what are your thoughts on the various Hyundai/Kia recalls recently? Is their engineering/quality slipping?

[@rickjames5998]

Can they make a N spec EV Kona? and sell it for 35k.? Where's our 35k Tesla Model 3's that we were promised years ago?

[@JDelta87]

Well produced review again, Tom. Thanks again for Mr. Campbell lending his time to help with these reviews as well.

[@peterhong526]

I thoroughly enjoyed your review of the sonata n-line in the past. I see that you continue to have excellent reviews from a practical perspective that is easy to take in for a normal person looking for a fun ride for their hard earned money. I appreciate that you keep in mind the bang-for-the-buck value in the N cars that you review.

[@williamwebberjr8045]

Great; video, just forwarded it to wife and son as we are looking for a sporty practical vehicle we can all share.

[@Shotis]

Love the performance, hate the aesthetics. (of the Kona) Great review nonetheless, Tom!

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

+1 on the need for a manual in a car like this. If it had one it would be on my list of possible next cars...

[@robr1969]

It was interesting seeing the copy that you read pop up for the first 2 seconds...

[@ganthc]

Great review, Tom! That car seems like a lot of fun. I’m sure the Evil Twin appreciated the color choice.

[@Hushh27]

Other reviewers that I’ve watched said the ride is rough and the seats aren’t that comfortable what did you think of them ?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I found the seats to be great. Martin found them fine as well. Neither of us are wide guys so that might be it.

[@cindysue5474]

The seats are nice they hold you in place. In N mode the ride is a little rough but you can just go sport mode or eco or normal for a much better ride.

[@joselopez5878]

It’s definitely got a stiff suspension! You sacrifice comfort for an aggressive car.

[@cindysue5474]

Yeah and in the US you cant get a spare tire Im going through that nightmare right now.

[@fist003]

i think the KZbin subtitles went wonky at the beginning of the video

[@thomasloftus1950]

been enjoying ur reviews for many years-- would you consider lightening up about “only one seatback pocket..”… its getting old---

[@DrivenCarReviews]

That's not me. That's my brother.

[@ksorsomeplace]

Too bad there are not more of these around available for sale.

[@76carmel]

I kinda think that the lack of AWD in the Kona would be a setback. But in this test drive, it wasn’t.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

AWD would add weight, complexity and cost. So there's that.

[@blueridge8992]

I’m a WRX and Miata owner, obviously a performance enthusiast, but I really feel like the N-Line is a more compelling Kona. It has 200hp, DCT, AWD, fuel economy up in the 30s, a ride that won’t knock your fillings loose, and it costs $7000 less than the N. The N-Line is closer to being an AWD Civic Si than the Kona N is to a Korean Civic Type R.

[@apexcobra.official]

I disagree. The ride in the Kona N with suspension on normal settings isn't really that bad, people blow it way out if proportion. If you drive in eco mode for MPGs it will get 25+ city and 31-36hwy. The N-Line model may be AWD, but it isn't sporty at all, and the trans isn't nearly as good as the 8spd DCT in the N. Even being FWD only, for example, the Kona N still outperforms the WRX in both acceleration and track times. It's the best performing yet practical and most fun vehicle in the price range, only really being beaten in performance for less money by the other N cars. The eLSD is good enough in the N cars that not having AWD doesn't even really make a difference unless you're driving in the snow or something. Slap some good tires on the front of the N and it will basically cut the same 60ft as you can with a WRX without eventually blowing out the transmission.

[@ryanm9628]

I disagree. I own the car and had a 2018 wrx. The Kona N will run circles around the WRX. It’s also more comfortable with the adaptive suspension. On a track, it would be very close with a Type R.

[@oraclemiata845]

I own the Kona N and a substantially modded NA Miata, so also a performance enthusiast. The N-line honestly cannot be compared to a SI. It’s sporting intentions are quite minimal, whereas the N can give the Type-R a run on a short track.

[@gethao5220]

No thanks for price tag lol

[@the_jarmel]

GREAT JOB TOM......HAVE A GOOD DAY EVERYONE

[@ThorMaxx]

This or the Elantra N?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Haven't driven the Elantra N.

[@ThorMaxx]

@@DrivenCarReviews would love to hear your choice when you get the chance. I have heard it is more refine experience to the Kona and quite liveable and not just raw performance.

[@christophcollier]

VW GTI

[@localnut1]

Thanks!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Thank YOU Steve.

[@sloanNYC]

I actually thought the Kona meant electric... I didn't realize they have so many variations. Go for the electric instead of this! LOL

[@eloneatmyshorts]

You finally got a chance to drive the KN! I’m having a lot of fun with it than I ever did with my previous Mk7.5 Golf R.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Not only did I drive it, I have people throwing money at me! Which I appreciate Fawkes.

[@yanb1981]

Since you had the Golf R, how's the Kona compare being fwd only? Do you find it lacking awd or is the fun and grip factor high enough it doesn't matter? Curious since you've sampled both

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Thanks, Tom! 👏🏼

[@the_jarmel]

Good job Martin ..

[@NormandyFoye]

And here comes the Dodge Hornet….

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Easily a size larger.

[@apexcobra.official]

@@DrivenCarReviews Not going to perform as well, either. Even the hybrid engine option with more power has slower stated acceleration specs. They do honestly look pretty nice though, they'll just be bigger/heavier and not on quite the same level performance-wise.

[@vicp8772]

Think in 4-5 years it'll b dropped for something else. And tons of gremlins

[@ForgotToMentionThat]

Awd?

[@christophcollier]

No, it’s not a Subaru.

[@benjaminmatte5225]

I like it, needs awd though, kind of a no brainer Hyundai

[@denault3985]

It kind of looks "sporty" but it's still a Kona... Excellent presentation as usual.

[@daniellanzotti2391]

It may go like stink, but also looks like stink

[@subvet3668]

Wish they would have offered a manual option.

[@1970borntorun]

Umm, hello! Earth to Tom?? Why are you even mentioning this small SUV in the same class as the GTI and Camaro? Speed is the ONLY thing these cars have in common. It's like all the so-called, respected KZbin car review sites that compare the Nissan Z to a Mustang. One is a SPORTS CAR and one is a MUSCLE CAR! This isn't Rocket Science, people lol

[@DrivenCarReviews]

You are not thinking outside the box. All of these cars are similar in price, all are fun to drive. And I'd cross shop a Z and a Mustang. Why not? It's about driving, not labels. I'll stand by that all day long. And while the Mustang GT might be a muscle car, not sure I'd put the EcoBoost in that category.

[@oraclemiata845]

Because it’s not really an SUV. It’s a tall hot hatch.

[@miketrebert7788]

Oops! i watched a few seconds of this one by mistake. I only watch your EV reviews, sorry. You always do a great job but being an American (as I am, but living in Australia) you have to cater to an audience, many of whom still buy those old-fashioned carbon burning conveyance machines.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

There are only so many EVs and they only make up 5% of sales volume. So there's that.

[@janoycresnova9156]

That's the entire audience basically. You're in some weird fringe minority that's very obsessed with EVs. Everyone else understands they're too overpriced and too limited at this moment to consider and likely for the foreseeable future.

[@miketrebert7788]

@@janoycresnova9156 Wow! That famous bubble called the USA. EVs sell in huge numbers in China and Europe.

[@apexcobra.official]

@@miketrebert7788 You do realize that there are still a lot of people out who much prefer ICE vehicles, with their things such as turbochargers and a good exhaust note...

[@miketrebert7788]

@@apexcobra.official I repeat: USA bubble. Climate change.

[@marcelstanford430]

Second.

[@ducknorris233]

First