Hyundai Kona N SUV

The Hyundai Kona N is the pocket rocket that could. The wildest of the Hyundai SUV pack, it’s also one of the smallest. But as we at Napleton News have sometimes said, good things come to those who believe in small packages. Or something like that.

What’s the deal with the Kona N?

It’s the successor to the old Hyundai Veloster N and features a raft of performance kit built in. Start with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that delivers 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. This mill, which was also found in the Veloster N, is mated to an 8-speed automated manual transmission that sends that power exclusively to the front wheels. But the Kona N goes further. There’s a red overboost button on the steering wheel called NGS for “N Grin Shift” that, when pushed, gives you a 10-hp kick in the pants lasting up to 20 seconds. That matches the Honda Civic Type R, which joins the Kona N in a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

How does the Kona N look?

Have it in any color as long as it’s red, black or white, because choices. It’s standard with 19-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero summer tires. The nose features large intakes that are well-vented and give access to the intercooler.

Black cladding with red stripes circle the Kona, which sets off the black-on-black exterior nicely.

A look inside.

The interior of the new Hyundai Kona N is like those you would find in the mild-mannered regular Kona. Only this one is festooned with a few more doodads than that model. Starting from the steering wheel, you have the aforementioned NGS button at the 5pm position. There are a couple of N paddles, if you will, below the lower spokes. Push them for a remap into sport mode and a change of the gauge display screen. It’s here that the Kona N holds the gears a touch longer for added momentum off the line.

Seating is form-fitting enough to keep you firmly planted through the turns. Although it’s a five seater, the Kona N is best suited for a double deuce.

The N also sports a 10.25-inch infotainment display that operates everything from HD radio to Sirius XM to Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s all-encompassing but not without a few issues. They include a louder than normal interior, especially when cruising in the fast lane. We understand the concept of lightening the load when it comes to reducing mass and sound deadener in a sporty vehicle, but we think this vehicle can stand to have a little of it put back.

It’s just too loud overall and makes it difficult to carry on a convo with those in the backseat or others who are on the phone. The Kona N also includes a Harman/Kardon 8-speaker audio system that can adequately help drown out the road noise when it gets to be too much.

Behind the wheel of the Kona N

Press the starter button on the Hyundai Kona N and the engine pops, gurgles and revs to a high-pitched crescendo before setting down to a mid-level idle. Shift into reverse for a quick back out of the drive before flicking back into drive, if for nothing more than hearing the raspiness grow.

Cruising the boulevard is rather ho-hum. It’s a case of driving what looks like a standard grocery-getter that makes a bit of racket as you squeeze the aluminum skinny pedal. The Kona N looks like any other like-sized SUV. That’s except for an N badge here and a red stripe there.

Take the on-ramp of the Florida Turnpike for some real “Grinning.”  Push the Red NGS button to spike the pitch of the engine. It illuminates a 20-second clock on the display screen, showing how much time you have to keep grinning. Before you know it, the N is plowing past a Prius here, a Tesla there and other left-lane “keepers of the speed.” The nerve.

There’s nothing better than that kind of satisfaction. You really must try it sometime!

2023 Hyundai Kona S

	2023 Hyundai Kona N
Engine Type	2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder
Horsepower	276 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	289 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automated manual transmission
Fuel Economy (Combined/City/Hwy)	23/20/27 mpg
Suspension F/R	MacPherson Strut / Multi-link
Turning Circle	38.3 ft.
Also Available	Regular Hyundai Kona, AWD
Specs
Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	10 years/100,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not yet rated
Max Seating Capacity	5
Wheelbase	102.4 inches
Overall Length	165.9 inches
Width	70.9 inches
Height	61.0 inches
Cargo Room (Behind 1st and 2nd row)	45.8/19.2 Cubic Feet
Headroom, Front	39.8 inches
Headroom, 2nd	37.8 inches
Legroom, 1st	41.5 inches
Legroom, 2nd	39.5 inches
Shoulder room, 1st row	55.5 inches
Shoulder room, 2nd row	54.5 inches