I've owned both a MK7.5 GTI and now a Kona N. The Kona N makes me realize I made the better choice every time I get behind the wheel. The drive is significantly more engaging.
Had one of these for 2 years / 40k miles now. Sitting on 200tw Yokohama Advan AD09s, intake + inlet, resonator delete, BOV, plugs, and a stage 2 ECU tune. Haven't had a single issue whatsoever, have driven it across the country twice and on multiple sub-1k mile trips, been to Cherohala Skyway and Tail of the Dragon multiple times... Been an absolute joy to own and drive. I'll be getting something new later this year as I creep up towards 60k miles(I drive a lot). I've test driven several cars, even far more expensive / fancier "performance" vehicles, and non have provided the ridiculous and entertaining driving experience the Kona N has... Especially with a few simple mods. Love this car, and I'm definitely gonna miss it when it's gone.
They really are great little cars, with an excellent performance to price ratio. I have about 8,000 miles on my 2023, but had to have the horn replaced this winter. Hyundai does not make horns compatible with -40C. The only car I would consider replacing my KN with would be a VW Golf R. That AWD and 315 hp is VERY tempting, but it's a lot more cash of course.
I hear you I am at 60K now 2 trips from Phoenix to Polson Montana straight through I still love the car and will do the 3-inch exhaust and go with a race chip. At Cars and Coffee, some said they wished they would have made a 2024 model I like the fact that low numbers were made not sure if it is true a video said only 6K were made worldwide, which is a low number. I'm going to hold onto mine.
I currently own a 22 Kona N and previously owned a 19 veloster N and here what is always missed when you see reviews of the Kona N, the reason they didn’t go AWD is weight and cost and the reason it’s so stiff is because it’s a genuine track weapon unlike the GTI and others so it’s honestly a good compromise between stiff and soft during daily driving considering that fact. As far as the 0-60 debacle, the best time I got out of mine using launch control and NGS was 5.4 seconds with pretty good tire spin. Although still stock on the tune, I have bolt on’s (down pipe, mid pipe, intake, torque mount etc.) and it has run a best of 13.3 @106mph on basic street tires spinning rubber into third gear and hits 0-60 in the high 4’s. Big point of note: this vehicle also comes factory with an “octane learn” feature, fill it with 93 octane and then highway drive at 55mph or more for 7-8 minutes and it swaps from the 15-17 psi of boost to 17-20lbs of boost and becomes an entirely different animal and all testing should be done in this mode as this is how it generates the numbers it does. This could very well be the one and only gas powered, high performance SUV that Hyundai makes and it’s already out of production so it might become rare at the same time, we’ll see I guess.
That's an interesting point regarding high octane and increased boost, and how it relates to testing. It's curious how the 0-60 launch times vary. The 0-60 Times site itself lists the 2022 KN at 4.8 seconds. I've watched every review video I can find, and they vary from 4.9 to 5.7 seconds, with most hitting the low 5's. Yes, maybe in time low mileage well kept KN's will be sort of collector cars. For now they seem to be the hot potato that nobody wants to touch. I'm sure Hyundai must be disappointed in sales.
With your honest opinion after driving both cars. Which one drives better or which one would you take between the countryman JCW2022 and this kona N 2022?
I like the performance..just can't get over the looks tbh. feels like a car went on top of another car hence the split headlights/tail lights/ugly fender flares.
I like the front but can see it looking better if they combined the bottom headlights to the top strip. The tail lights on the top look slick but then the bottom ones look out of place.
@@carloscervantes836 if only they bring in the I30N to the states..great looking hatch, more space than veloster N feels just the right amount you know..
I’ve been watching Hyundai since the 2017 Elantra GT. This is a cool little hatch but I went BRZ for now. I like it he look of this better than the Elantra but now we also have the Corolla GR. It’s a good set of choices for the small, sporty choices.
I test drove a Kona N and felt it was to stiff for every day driving. That said I don't know what mode the suspension was in. What is this car like in normal suspension mode? For reference there's been a WRX in my driveway since '02 and currently own a '91 NSX. Thanks for the info
I think black is the worse color for most cars given it hides all the bodywork, satin/matt black are way better versions of black on a car(GR Corolla). 0-60 under 5 I want to know how people are doing it cuz it doesn't seem that fast to me and multiple RUclips videos show over 5. I like the car and own it but all the missing features are not easy to ignore. Horrible wireless charging design given how it heats up your phone. I disagree heavily on suspension, "soft and cushy" should be a setting the N comes with, sadly all settings are different degrees of stiff. I would have payed extra if they offered all the missing features as options, AWD no where to be found. Fun car, maybe we will get an electric version down the line. Design wise, I would like them to work on making it a bit wider (AKA Challenger wide body) and redesign the lower back a bit.
I’m taking the GTI. It’s a true hot hatch. The Kona has an identity crisis, as it doesn’t know if it wants to be a hot hatch or an SUV. Plus, I don’t want a higher ride height in a vehicle with sporty intentions.
![Hyundai Kona N - The Ultimate B Road Blaster ! [FIRST DRIVE]](/img/1.gif)
Special thanks to our Patrons for their support of the channel! Kona N or GTI?
In Europe some Ns get a sunroof same with Aus also some countries get a spare tire where the US and Canada don't.
N all the way (with a DCT)
Obviously a N
I've owned both a MK7.5 GTI and now a Kona N. The Kona N makes me realize I made the better choice every time I get behind the wheel. The drive is significantly more engaging.
Had one of these for 2 years / 40k miles now. Sitting on 200tw Yokohama Advan AD09s, intake + inlet, resonator delete, BOV, plugs, and a stage 2 ECU tune. Haven't had a single issue whatsoever, have driven it across the country twice and on multiple sub-1k mile trips, been to Cherohala Skyway and Tail of the Dragon multiple times... Been an absolute joy to own and drive. I'll be getting something new later this year as I creep up towards 60k miles(I drive a lot). I've test driven several cars, even far more expensive / fancier "performance" vehicles, and non have provided the ridiculous and entertaining driving experience the Kona N has... Especially with a few simple mods. Love this car, and I'm definitely gonna miss it when it's gone.
They really are great little cars, with an excellent performance to price ratio. I have about 8,000 miles on my 2023, but had to have the horn replaced this winter. Hyundai does not make horns compatible with -40C. The only car I would consider replacing my KN with would be a VW Golf R. That AWD and 315 hp is VERY tempting, but it's a lot more cash of course.
I hear you I am at 60K now 2 trips from Phoenix to Polson Montana straight through I still love the car and will do the 3-inch exhaust and go with a race chip. At Cars and Coffee, some said they wished they would have made a 2024 model I like the fact that low numbers were made not sure if it is true a video said only 6K were made worldwide, which is a low number. I'm going to hold onto mine.
My wife and I bought one three weeks ago. What a fun, quirky, willing little thing. Not many companies make cars like this anymore.
Lol. Yes it is an amazing lil thing. Small body , big heart😅. Just git mine a month ago and love it. I also have a 2021 elantra n line.
I currently own a 22 Kona N and previously owned a 19 veloster N and here what is always missed when you see reviews of the Kona N, the reason they didn’t go AWD is weight and cost and the reason it’s so stiff is because it’s a genuine track weapon unlike the GTI and others so it’s honestly a good compromise between stiff and soft during daily driving considering that fact. As far as the 0-60 debacle, the best time I got out of mine using launch control and NGS was 5.4 seconds with pretty good tire spin. Although still stock on the tune, I have bolt on’s (down pipe, mid pipe, intake, torque mount etc.) and it has run a best of 13.3 @106mph on basic street tires spinning rubber into third gear and hits 0-60 in the high 4’s. Big point of note: this vehicle also comes factory with an “octane learn” feature, fill it with 93 octane and then highway drive at 55mph or more for 7-8 minutes and it swaps from the 15-17 psi of boost to 17-20lbs of boost and becomes an entirely different animal and all testing should be done in this mode as this is how it generates the numbers it does. This could very well be the one and only gas powered, high performance SUV that Hyundai makes and it’s already out of production so it might become rare at the same time, we’ll see I guess.
That's an interesting point regarding high octane and increased boost, and how it relates to testing. It's curious how the 0-60 launch times vary. The 0-60 Times site itself lists the 2022 KN at 4.8 seconds. I've watched every review video I can find, and they vary from 4.9 to 5.7 seconds, with most hitting the low 5's.
Yes, maybe in time low mileage well kept KN's will be sort of collector cars. For now they seem to be the hot potato that nobody wants to touch. I'm sure Hyundai must be disappointed in sales.
Yes.
💯👀
With your honest opinion after driving both cars.
Which one drives better or which one would you take between the countryman JCW2022 and this kona N 2022?
Wow looks very cool Hyundai well done👍
I like the performance..just can't get over the looks tbh. feels like a car went on top of another car hence the split headlights/tail lights/ugly fender flares.
I like the front but can see it looking better if they combined the bottom headlights to the top strip. The tail lights on the top look slick but then the bottom ones look out of place.
@@carloscervantes836 if only they bring in the I30N to the states..great looking hatch, more space than veloster N feels just the right amount you know..
I’ve been watching Hyundai since the 2017 Elantra GT. This is a cool little hatch but I went BRZ for now. I like it he look of this better than the Elantra but now we also have the Corolla GR. It’s a good set of choices for the small, sporty choices.
I test drove a Kona N and felt it was to stiff for every day driving. That said I don't know what mode the suspension was in. What is this car like in normal suspension mode? For reference there's been a WRX in my driveway since '02 and currently own a '91 NSX. Thanks for the info
It’s very livable in normal mode. Unless you live in Michigan.
@@weakgang2208Thanks for the info
@@stevethomas760 No problem let me know if you have any questions, I’ve owned mine for four months and all things considered, it’s a great car.
I think black is the worse color for most cars given it hides all the bodywork, satin/matt black are way better versions of black on a car(GR Corolla). 0-60 under 5 I want to know how people are doing it cuz it doesn't seem that fast to me and multiple RUclips videos show over 5. I like the car and own it but all the missing features are not easy to ignore. Horrible wireless charging design given how it heats up your phone. I disagree heavily on suspension, "soft and cushy" should be a setting the N comes with, sadly all settings are different degrees of stiff. I would have payed extra if they offered all the missing features as options, AWD no where to be found. Fun car, maybe we will get an electric version down the line. Design wise, I would like them to work on making it a bit wider (AKA Challenger wide body) and redesign the lower back a bit.
Color is subjective. I actually like it in Black. Giving me "Night Rider" vibes.
The Ioniq N is the Kona N from hell lols.
I’m taking the GTI. It’s a true hot hatch.
The Kona has an identity crisis, as it doesn’t know if it wants to be a hot hatch or an SUV. Plus, I don’t want a higher ride height in a vehicle with sporty intentions.
I'll take the one with better track performance, better sounding engine / exhaust, and more entertaining driving experience. Which... Isn't the GTI.