Hyundai is entering the world of performance package models, not something new for any automaker. Everything dates back to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the first-ever small car that offered the world a performance package, making a tiny Golf fun to drive. Combine that with the ups and downs of the oil crisis and economic collisions and there you add more spice to the performance badges. Almost all big car makers offer a performance line. Hyundai unveiled their performance badge in 2017, which named N, holds more horsepower than most people would expect from a Hyundai.
Let's dive deeper into more details on the new Hyundai Kona N and see if it’s got what it takes to compete against other performance badges?
The Kona Crossover: How Does The N Spice Things?
The Hyundai Kona first debuted in 2017 as a subcompact crossover SUV. To this day the design of the Kona remains unchanged but not what’s under its hood. It’s a trend of 2021 just like the performance badges, and that’s a powerful 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine with turbocharging.
The Kona itself is offered in a wide variety of powertrains by Hyundai. There is a hybrid powertrain, a fully electric and internal combustion-only powertrain. Scratching those off, the N line up is a totally different story, as this 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is able to produce 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. It uses the same engine as the Veloster N, which does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, but surprisingly enough the Kona N sprints to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds according to Hyundai's press release.
This powerful engine is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is key to the agile driving dynamics of the N series. Power is transmitted to the front wheels and split based on the driving dynamics thanks to the electronically controlled limited-slip differential. The N badge is focused on bringing the racetrack to daily driven cars and with that in mind, the Kona N features Launch Control, just for use when you hit the track not when you pick up the kids from school.
Kona Spirit
Kona is a newly released model and based on Hyundai, Kona is named after the western district of Hawaii. Hyundai has a history of naming their cars after famous travel destinations, Creta, Santa Fe, Tucson and Veracruz are some of their most successful models named.
The Kona spirit brings a mini SUV in the form of a hatchback interior while keeping the driving position high enough to feel like you are driving a big SUV. They claim that their Kona reflects the lifestyle of modern customers, which tends to be performance and mini SUVs in 2021. Kona N does just about what it was unveiled for, a fun-to-drive hot hatch experience while keeping the versatility of an SUV.
Performance Tweaks In Driving Dynamics
The list of standard equipment and improved driving dynamics does not end here. In addition to the powerful engine paired with the 8-speed automatic transmission and electronically controlled limited-slip differential, the chassis of the Kona N has been tweaked to improve track performance while holding the rigidity and off-roading capabilities. Extra care has been taken to the breaking power of the Kona N which now features larger front and rear disc brakes. Bigger brakes also need better airflow to cool down, that’s why Hyundai designed larger front air intakes that allow greater airflow, and they look super awesome.
The rigidity of the Kona N frame has been improved by adding extra welding points, improved strut ring structure, and reinforced skeleton. The outcome is a safer “cage” for the racetrack and a well-built daily driver. Hyundai also mentioned that the extra rigidity of the frame minimizes body roll during maneuvers. Kona N also comes standard with Electronic Controlled Suspension which controls the suspension dampers for a better ride. This is a feature we see most performance badge cars come with in 2021 and it’s essential to a sporty or comfy ride. An Electronic Sound Generator is added for an extra emotional driving experience.
Daily Driving A Kona N
So now that we have talked about the great things about track-oriented performance, is there a trade-off in the comfort of daily driving?
As a daily driver, the Kona N is a great pick because it comes with a long list of advanced safety features for everyday driving which you can find more about here. Among the best safety features for the Kona N is the Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Assist, and an eCall button.
In terms of connectivity, the Kona N features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluelink. A voice assist is there to control simple commands like climate control, music, or steering heating. The Kona N features a digital N cluster that comes in a sporty background design and a 10.25-inch AVN touchscreen. To bring more buyers to the N family Hyundai offers a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.