Friday, November 22

An Honest Look at the Hyundai Kona N: It’s Not Perfect but Comes Pretty Close

There’s no such thing as the perfect car; there’s always something about a vehicle that you would change, but what you don’t like might just be something that another driver loves. So, the next time you go to your Hyundai dealer for a closer look and a test drive of the Hyundai Kona N, here’s what’s great about it and what some drivers might change.

The Hyundai Kona N’s Peppy Engine is a Plus

The Kona N is just plain fun to drive. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo gas engine that churns out 276 horsepower and gets 289 pound-feet of torque. The instant acceleration will turn heads as you tear away from other cars, but it doesn’t end there. Yes, you can scoot from zero to 60 in 5.3 seconds, but it’s even more fun when you hit the curves. The adaptive dampers, multi-link rear suspension, and grippy summer tires just beg to be tested.

The Infotainment System Rocks

In the center of the dashboard, the 10.3-inch touchscreen has some extra functions that track-loving Kona N drivers will love. You can bring up track maps and lap monitoring information.

The digital driver information display is even better, with elements that make the driver feel almost like they’re driving in a video game. There’s even a head-up display with important information displayed right within eye level, so you can keep your eyes on the road.

An Honest Look at the Hyundai Kona N It's Not Perfect but Comes Pretty Close - Kona N on a Track

Drivers who are looking for the ultimate track experience but want a vehicle they can drive every day will appreciate the N Track Map. It can pinpoint your exact location when driving on a track and will automatically calculate the time it takes you to drive a lap.

So, What About the Cabin?

If you want to get picky, the cabin is where the Kona N could use some improvements. It’s spacious enough in both rows, and it has a large cargo area, but you could make the argument that some of the cargo space could have gone to the rear seat legroom. If you like a lot of vivid colors, then the Kona N might bring you down a little. It is black, on black, on black in the cabin. The only color is the blue contrast stitching, which adds just a little bit of brightness to the dark interior.

The Ride Is on the Stiffer Side

You can’t always have it both ways. In order to make the Kona N perform on the track and off, Hyundai stiffened up the suspension. The everyday driver might consider it too stiff, but it’s worth it if you want the ultimate track-worthy performance.

Another downside of the Kona N is it only comes in front-wheel drive. Since it looks like a compact SUV from the outside, you might expect it to have all-wheel drive, but this version of the Kona does not.

Verdict: If You Love a Fun Ride, the Hyundai Kona N May Be For You

With so many great things about the Kona N, when you find the one you want at a Hyundai dealer, the not-so-perfect things won’t matter.

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.

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