Mark before driving Kona N: This is a piece of s**t. Mark after driving Kona N: This is the most fun I had driving a car in a while. Mission accomplished for Hyundai and Mr. Biermann.
I would say they were a little incredulous because of the marketing, which I’ll agree is a little ridiculous. But in order to come up with a proper opinion you gotta drive it.
This is for the person who’s partner wants the Kona (cuv), but they want a hot hatch. Sometimes a market segment buyer is actually two people compromising for one car.
@@thecianinator yeah...this car is just to appease the wife when she has practicality concerns. "but look honey, it's just as tall as [insert generic CUV] and it can fit 2 Ikea bookshelves!"
It's not something I would buy, but frankly it is a brilliant car for today's SUV/CUV market. It makes just as much sense as something like an X3 M, but at a price the is not ridiculous.
As a current Kona N owner and former tuned MK7 GTI owner, this car is bananas. I enjoyed driving my Kona N more from the first day than I ever did with my GTI. The experience is far more raw and engaging. My Kona N came stock with everything I "had" to do to my GTI, so it saved me tons of money on modifying. Now I'm putting that savings towards lighter wheels (the one omission I care about from most other markets 😢) This is a real monster for those of you who throw shade. If you drove one, you'd get it. Still a huge VW fan boy, but my respect for Hyundai has gone WAY up. Thinking I may do the 2.5T Elantra N if it happens.
I love a clean MK7 I was popping and banging in traffic in the Kona n and a beautiful MK7 red with black hood came through showing love, rolling next to each other popping and banging
You posted the literally the same thing on The Smoking Tire’s review. Word for word including punctuation. So either you copied and pasted, which is weird, or you’re not a really customer and are paid by Hyundai, which is unethical. Either way, this is weird.
My friend test drove a veloster N because they had some gift card promo. He went in only to get the gift card. Drove the veloster N, left the dealership with a brand new veloster N. He told me the story, I laughed. Then he said, “here are the keys, take it for a spin.” I had a smile on my face the entire time, one of the funnest cars I’ve ever driven. I want one actually.
After I bought the Kona N - I just had to re-watch this review. And it is amazing how much similarities my experience has to this video. Like I laughed my ass off for the first part, where Mark just didn`t see the point of this vehicle. And it was the same for me - when I first saw it live I was like - "WHat the hell is this and why should I want it?". But after some buyer swiped the i30 N under my nose at the dealership and I agreed to do the test drive of Kona N - I was just blown away how much fun I had with it. Hence - I immediately bought one and haven`t regretted the decision since....
Totally agree that I don't get why this car happened at all, but it makes me smile to hear you guys enjoying the driving experience. I got a Veloster N recently and it's been so much fun
you answered your own question in the comment. the driving experience. for people who want a kona with a little more umph at a budget. i dont get what all the sarcasm about "why this car was made"..... people are just sheep repeating what they say in the video 😅. its actually sad.
@@HanHsu910 I have an indigo stinger I drive Keypoint is PRICE. It gives people who wants Kona some driving action. Doesn't matter if it's AWD or FWD. The slight performance upgrade improves driving experience
Bought this for my wife…so I had a reason to get it and boy this car is fun and a lot of people don’t mention how rare they are I’m the only one in my town with this car and get ask a lot of questions
"Joann Fabrics... Now, that's a name I've not heard in a long time...a _long_ time. Take this, your mother's 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not as clunky or random as a Dodge Caravan. A more elegant minivan for a civilized age."
Jokes aside , I actually really like the Kona, and Really love the Kona N ! Not to mention that they all make more than advertised, Hyundai claim 276 at the crank , but people have dynoed these vehicles and gotten about 280 at the wheel , which is definitely over 300 at the crank
0:45 that vacuum cleaner sound had me rolling. You guys are just on another level, i enjoy every second of this channel. This Kona N is a total riot, my only disappointment is the lack of all wheel drive. It could have differentiated it more from the elantra and Veloster, bring even more buyers, bringing the N name to a new level of fun.
Im sure hyundai will take note and attempt this in the future. Hyundai and kia have actually taken more note of these kind of gripes and criticisms from car enthusiasts and have been making more leaps forward than many other car manufacturers.
OK I bought one (Jul 2022), and I LOVE it. Best car I've ever had. Hauls gear, Hauls Ass. Cornering and braking tested (and rewarded) my courage. Of course it was discontinued.😩
I own one and it’s been so much fun 5300 miles in 6 months. I look forward to getting behind the wheel every time I drive. Going to keep this car forever. It’s a special one
Same here! The fact that it echos some of the same liftoff oversteer characteristics honestly sounds like a blast. Also went with a 2018 FiST this year myself though! Even overpaying a bit it still came in at more than 12K+ less than something like this.
As a 19 FiST owner, I agree. I love my car and right now the only thing I'd consider trading for are a Maverick for usability and NY weather or the, likely unobtainable, GR Corolla.
One of these came to my car clubs Autocross event a week ago and we all kind of scratched our heads about it until it hit the course! It was the first time the owner of the car did Autocross and he and the car did amazing well and he had a smile on his face after each run!
I think they were too critical of the Kona N. With car companies going ev and affordable fun cars are less common, we need companies like Hyundai building different and fun cars
As someone who previously drove a MK 7.5 GTI DSG, the 23’ Kona N has a less refined interior and leaves a little bit more to be wanted compared to the GTI but it makes up for it with it’s power output and transmission. Driving this machine on a twisty road is definitely where this CUV/Hot Hatch shines, and the E-LSD really does a great job at transferring the power to the wheels in a cohesive manner. If you’re looking for a fun and practical daily driver this would be a great choice if you don’t need something with AWD.
Funnily enough, I had a Kona Limited bc it was cheap, had a hatch, and premium audio. I LOVED that car, so was excited when they announced the N. I've traded in the Limited and had the N for 3 months now. It's a blast! Everything you guys said behind the wheel is 100% true. Started autocross with it and it's impressive.
@def4983 Defintiely a premium audio package. The sub isn't super thumpy, but it's got some rumble, and the top end is clean enough. I don't listen to classical on it, so won't speak on the mids being crystal clear but it's certainly solid
I have an Elantra GT N-line, I know the Kona N is a way better car which ironically the Kona actually has less room despite being a SUV, just wish we had the I30N in the states. Not the biggest fan of the Kona N or Veloster, but I want a hatch which the Elantra N is a sedan. My car is fun though, honestly impressed by what Hyundai has been doing lately.
They botched the Elantra GT N-Line release and then canceled it after nobody bought a car you couldn't find and when you could it was marked up. I'm still very pissed at them because now the EGT N will never happen.
I test drove an Elantra GT-N-line, manual. It had a little turbo lag but not too bad. I found it to be a fun and quick thing for a relative bargain. I regret not buying it.
I’ve seen tons of reviews of this. Everyone acknowledges the compromises made to bring this thing out. And everyone absolutely loves rippin’ it around. I imagine this (and probably the other N cars) being a lot like the turbo Dodges from the 80s. Hold the wheel fun.
I love you for this. In high school, I inherited my dad's Dodge Omni GLH. It was insane to drive. I see this car as the first true spiritual successor, and I'm honestly thinking about trading my luxury sedan for it.
I think it's important to note that like the Veloster N, the super stiff suspension is only in N mode. Having to live with a stiff suspension may be a turn off for some buyers, when really that isn't the case. In the normal driving modes it rides like a normal car.
I can’t knock this. It looks good for what it is. Also, it’s affordable in today’s market. These remind me of a macan for someone who can’t afford one. I love what Hyandai has been doing, but their dealers suck and keep me away from the brand.
Their new motors don’t last either. Since moving to direct injection I wouldn’t touch a Hyundai / Kia. They’ll need to do a port/di setup like Toyota to solve their problems.
I just got my Kona N (US version), my previous cars were a Fiat 500 Abarth and VW GTI. This thing reminds me of the best bits from each of those cars. I wished it had adaptive cruise control (it only has lane keep assist) and wished it had wireless Android / Apple integration (at least it still charges my phone faster wired). But boy does this thing put a smile on my face everyday :)
“Koner N” 😄 Honestly I will probably recommend this to some of the people in my life it would be fitting for. Its cheap and cheerful and low commitment.
As someone quite tall that once hurt his back trying to get out of a BRZ , this looks really good to me! Shame its not all wheel drive though. Nice vacuum cleaner sound track btw on the intro shot.
I bought the EN about a year ago. They had a KN in that they let me drive for a day. I was blown away how much I liked it. It is a deceptively quick and agile vehicle. The short wheel base makes a bit more lively than the EN. I think it would do incredibly well at the local auto cross, then you can get your groceries on the way home......
Compared to an i30 N, the extra ride height of the Kona N ensures it won't scrape its front skirt over "traffic calming" measures like speed humps or steeply sculptured driveway entrances that infest the suburbs in my city. For older drivers, its extra height makes it a bit easier to get in/out than most hot hatches. It's short too, which helps find a parking space on busy streets. But what's with the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay?
As much as it hurts me that small cars are going away I really can't bring myself to hate this thing. The personality, quirks, and legit performance are making this a real temptation.
I love how much their opinions changed, I would love to see what they would do if they brought the geniesus coupe back with some of these N characteristics
@@Tibchy91 we don't have i30n here in America sadly, and looks are subjective. I think it would be hilarious to pass Corvettes and mustangs with a fish looking crossover at open track days haha
@@pattyboi and is also one of the worst looking cars to come out in recent years. If this thing looked good it would be a cool car but unfortunately this thing is way to overstyled imo
I wish Hyundai would bring the i30N to the U.S. I owned a 2018 Elantra GTS and the power band with the turbo engine was not consistent. Sometimes it would move when you gave it the beans, sometimes it would take a bit to build up boost.
@@domdrty I can't find any model online called the GTS. Only GT. And the hatchback Elantra was based off the i30. So yes we did have the i30 bit never a N model. I suppose the Veloster is your best bet. I don't see why they would confused the lineup so much. Plus the Veloster honestly pretty bad sales. I bet they would save so much engineering costs by just making a Elantra N hatchback instead of the Veloster.
I see this capturing the market the same way the Caliber/Neon SRT4's are now. A budget performance fun car that can handle some abuse. The design isnt all that bad either. I think as long as the prices arent absoultely gouged by dealers (which they most certainly will be) then maybe this car would be a hit.
It will be ‘a hit’ even with dealer price markup gouging. However, the Toyota GR will give it a run for the money because the Toyota GR has four wheel drive advantage.
I purchased this car about 5 days ago and i love it. It does have a odd feel because you quickly forget your in an SUV. I love the wireless charging and the fact that i can start this thing just by placing my phone next to the door handle lol!! It's super quick and sounds great in N mode :-)
Some people are hating that Hyundai puts DCTs in their SUVs but I think that makes them unique. They might not be the most refined transmissions but the direct feeling they give to the driver just makes driving a crossover a bit more enjoyable.
I kinda wanna see how it sizes up next to my FoST. I'm interested in this and the GR Corolla. I want to like the Elantra N but the styling just isn't for me.
I own a mk7.5 GTI and bought this car. Feels exactly like a hot hatch. Bought it over the Elantra because I’m tired of a low ride height but wanted a sporty car.
I have a few cars in my garage, one of which is not the Kona N but an i30N hatchback with a stick shift 6 speed trans, not sure if you get it in the US but it has the same engine as this Kona N. I use it mostly for running around locally and journeys of up to 20 miles. Its so much fun and the exhaust pops and cracks make me laugh like a juvenile teenager. Its brilliant.
It's a shame that we don't. We have an older i30 and it's all the room we need. The rear headroom is worse than the Kona, but the legroom better. I think it's a reasonable package, as you can put four adults in it if two aren't that tall, or two adults and their luggage. I've carried all sorts of things with the seat down. The Kona isn't much larger. Sigh. I so wish we had it here.
@@markmiller3279 I live in Western Australia, we have both the i30N and the Kona N here. But the i30N is fine for me as I am single with no family so don't need too much space, it also means I have no "co-pilot" telling me how to drive or to stop being juvenile with the exhaust pops LOL
35k, 10yr 100k warranty, 13.4 second quarter mile, 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds, 30mpg on the highway, and I could continue. If anyone is wondering what a home run in the car industry looks like…N vehicles would be a great example.
I bought a Kona about a year ago with just the 1.6 liter turbo and after hearing them announce the N model I had no doubt it would be an awesome car. I decided on the kona because I wanted something that struck a good balance of cheap/reliable, but even without the extra 100hp the N has it makes my daily commute a lot more fun. Is it the fastest car on the road? Obviously not, but it can still push you back in your seat and put a smile on your face anytime you hammer down the gas.
After this review, this goes on the short list of cars I'm considering next year. Of course, I have to go to a Hyundai dealership (ugh) but looks too fun to pass.
Check out Your Auto Advocate. Email the dealers first so you don’t get screwed around. I bought a Veloster N for msrp last year and didn’t get screwed around. They didn’t mention in the video but you get a couple years of free maintenance too.
...or buy it thought your bank/credit union, let them do the dirty work, and you just pick it up at the dealer. Deny all extra packages, watch out for $400 Nitrogen inflated tires, and deny all extra warranty and services. Then, when you get home, remove all dealer plate frames and tacky vinyl badging.
@@water123m i do not know why people sometimes obviously talk like there is only void after the border. so, i guess i misunderstood. to the topic, why not import one? if he is so dedicated to the i30 N i could be worth.
Just bought a 2023 Kona N, coming from a 2020 Veloster N. This car feels so much like a toy with the LSD & DCT doing all of the work for me. What a blast to drive. Thanks for the review guys, was definitely helpful in deciding what car to purchase.
I came from a 2020 so the different turbo makes the power delivery completely different. Much more enjoyable IMO. I also like having 4 doors and the ride height. Seating position was much better in the VN if you like to sit low though.@@karmahunden
I've been really looking for a replacement for my Nissan Cube and my Kia Soul. I think this Kona N "Hot high-performance affordable sports track-ready CUV" is the perfect one.
Guys, Kona actually sold very well since it's launch in 2018, especially in Canada! It makes total sense that they did N on it. ... I owned a 2020 Kona AWD 1.6T, and loved it. There was a time window in 2021 when I could sell the Kona for more than what I paid for and still buy a 2022 Stinger under sticker - so I did it. ... Then Mark bad mouthed the Stinger all over - OMG. My Stinger GT Line AWD is a great GT car. Is it perfect? No far from it. But for the price point, I pick it over BMW 4 anytime! Stinger is not a sports car, but a very happy commuter. ... If I still had the Kona, Kona N might be my happy replacement. The size is small, but perfect in the city, nimble and so easy to park. The ground clearance is also perfect in the city - considering our bad curbs and potholes. I really respect that they didn't lower the car for the N. Kudos to Hyundai and Kia for these great cars for common people.
Also really love the shout out to the fiST.. I feel like in regards to modern day hatch’s. The fiesta st is way over looked an has some of the best driving dynamics of any new car, especially fwd. glad to hear this car reminds you of it. I’ve been contemplating this or the Elantra N. Great Video as always 🤘🏼
I’m actually impressed with the N cars for what they are. Had the velocster N out what was it two years ago at Road America. Fun little car to drive I need to go out and find me a Kona N to test drive now
It's a shockingly similar experience. Borderline scary similar considering the ride height difference. Do it. Me and my wife bought a Kona N over a Veloster quite literally because of how it drives, and the extra height for winter and our kid. It's fantastic. If you do find one, drive one.
I so love this channel. These are by far my favorite reviews where they take something like this and just drive it like a drunken idiot with big stupid smiles on their faces and laughing all the way. Really loved the Hellcat Durango and Trex Ram reviews. Never change, SG.
I was really hoping this one would be AWD, and maybe something closer to the Pajero Evolution. Without that differentiation, I do wonder what buyer picks this over the Elantra N. It seems like a good car, but I’m not sure I see the justification for the added cost on this one.
It makes sense for people like me who live in a place with terrible pot hole ridden roads to get to good pavement and rip it. If I had bought an Elantra N I would have ripped off the front bumper 10 times already. Even people in Southern California are scrapping that front lip on the Elantra N due to it being so low with such a long overhang. When you sit in the Kona N it's very odd that you feel like you are in a low sports car and it really does handle and drive like one.
@@jagerking7020 makes sense. The ground clearance makes a big deal for those who live in areas with crappy roads. That includes here in Seattle where scraping low cars is very common. AWD would have made it perfect for those hills in the rainy winters.
I got one tbh I got mine for the ride height and the “no way that thing is fast lol” sleeper look, and both are working as intended 🙂… also looks better than the Elantra N imo and has 4 doors unlike the veloster N ..I’ve also been in places and unavoidable situations that would damage the bumper / underside of a normal car…
Honestly Jack was open minded but Goose came across as a brand/category snob here. It's a genuinely good car and as a car person I love any honest manufacturer that's trying to keep things interesting.
@@perfectperfecto he was unnecessarily harsh on the stinger too, which is a honest attempt at a exciting car. I would save the rage for the nickel and diming Germans, who wouldn't up their game if these VFM brands didn't start throwing features at the consumer.
Agreed. Seems Goose has a beef against Hyundai. If he did a bit more research, he'd know that since Albert Biermann joined (now retired, sadly), the brand has been greatly elevated. They've won the 24 hours Nurburgring, won in TCR and WRC series. THEY DO HAVE CREDIBILITY !!!
My sister traded her manual WRX in for one of these and at first I thought she was insane and then I drove it... You can't help but smile at this angry little beetle snorting on the upshifts
I just bought one and traded a CX-30 turbo for it and it is decently faster then my CX turbo which was pretty fast for what it is.This Kona will trounce most cars under 40k.I paid sticker which was 35k--which is what a loaded SI or GTI is and this KONA has as much midrange and top end punch as a Type R civic.The DCT also downshifts perfectly in turns and it should do very good once I get use to it on a track.Also with a 150 to 160 Top speed--it will outrun any sport coupe or CUV under 50k (only a stinger near this price is faster).Like he said "it would annihilate most cars at this price point and I agree"
I was shocked you guys didn’t attend the Hyundai N track day at Sonoma race track in late November 2021 to drive the Kiona N and Elantra N. Every other RUclips car reviewer was there. Every reviewer said they couldn’t get the grin off their face when driving these new N cars. Those reviews convinced me to buy an Elantra N which I did and have been driving since the end of March. Best car I have ever driven and I have owned Audis and BMW 3 series. When will you do a review of the Elantra N? You need to do both the 6MT and the DCT. And don’t give us the negative diatribe until you have driven it. Thanks and appreciate your candor and expertise.
We've seen performance versions of some weird ass cars and this right here is the newest and best of its kind. I'll take it as a successor to things like Juke Nismo, HHR SS, Caliber SRT4.
I bought a 23 Kona N thanks to reviews like this. I haven't had this much fun in a car since my 2007 Cobalt SS Supercharged. The main difference being that Hyundai actually gets the power down and has a half decent interior. An absolute blast to drive and I can throw a hockey back in the back without playing Tetris.
Sigh. Dealerships are mostly owned and run by exactly the same people who sell you other brands. Some are good, some bad. Our local one was excellent a decade ago,neasily the most impressive of four we visited. Rifht next door the same folks sell Buicks, Hondas, Nissans, and Volkswagens. They don't pick on Hyundai customers specially.
That's not set by Hyundai. That's every single brand. Hyundai's might get marked up a little more, the MSRP is so cheap dealers don't make a lot of money selling at that price. You seem like you don't really know what you're talking about.
I own a 2018 Kona Limited 1.6T AWD, which in and of itself is a 6.5s 0-60mph car with good handling and fuel economy @ 175hp and 195lbs of torque. It's basically the best all-round/overall vehicle in the segment, probably why it's a best-selling vehicle in North America and was the 2019 SUV of the Year. So no, it's not "random". What I completely don't understand/agree with is why, at $34k they took out the AWD system.
I'm EXTREMELY happy with my Kona N. It's basically my last 2 cars combined. 2017 Toyota iM which was a great car but extremely slow and a 2011 Mazda MX-5. It's the fun, practical red hatchback my iM was while having the rawness and playfulness of my NC Miata. The Kona N handles 10x better with double the HP. Happy boy I am having 2 of my favorite cars combined. Coming from my MX-5 the Kona N is a rolls Royce to me. I can control the car with my phone, The seats are super comfortable and heated, it's quiet, has more power than 90% of whatever you pull up next to! Looks fun and sporty while not being flashy. It even has snow mode, paired with a set of snow tires I have no doubt the car will get me through a rough winter with that god sent LSD.
I've been waiting years for you guys to do a review on any of the Kona models. Thank you! I just entered my second year of ownership on a 2020 Kona SEL Plus with AWD. It has been a very reliable car with 20k+ miles on the odometer. I considered the Turbo (didn't enjoy the dual clutch tranny during the test drive) but I do quite a bit of driving in stop and go traffic so I passed but I've been happy with the SEL. Fun but pointless fact, the Kona was designed by Luc Donckerwolke who also designed several Lambos and Audis.
Good choice avoiding the dual clutch. Maybe they're better now, but for years on Hyundai/Kia (and others - looking at you, Ford) -- had absolutely horrible dual clutches. They would often overheat in traffic or light offroad situations. Seems like only Volkswagen AG can get it right. Glad you're enjoying it. Curious to know how it holds up in the long term. I really like some of Hyundai and Kia's new design language - especially the new Genesis products, but I am still unsure about long-term reliability.
@@seanm3ify I know, I was just mentioning my experience so far and my Kona was included in the engine recall but passed as it was made in March of 2020 and according to Hyundai, should not be affected.
@@lukeheffernan I will be keeping mine through the duration of at 5 year bumper to bumper warranty. Yeah, I watched the dual clutch turbo overheat on a mild uphill section during a TFL video and I wondered how that would perform even with AWD in sloppy Nebraska winter weather.
I work at a Hyundai/Toyota dealer in sales and we have a used 2022 Kona N with I think around 30K miles on the lot that's around $28k and I'm surprised it hasn't sold yet. Get it certified and you have a fun and practical hot hatch with a 100k mile powertrain warranty. It's a shame the market in our area consist mostly of Karens, the elderly and yuppies.
Agreed.. love the car but there is no independent shop support for KIa/Hyundai and the dealer techs are having serious morale issues and hate warranty work. It's the reason I went VW despite the reliability concerns.
While I entirely agree on the car, I entirely disagree on the ad. That shit was really funny. I love it. Still wish we had the i30, or rather, Elantra GT N.
That last comment in the final thoughts about a 10yr 100k warranty that you will ultimately get screwed on sounds more like a subabubaru hallmark promise lol. The Brakes went really soft on my wifes 2019 Subaru outback 3.6R Touring with 33k miles. I scheduled an appointment with the dealership to have it looked into. After having the vehicle for 3 days I received a call and they said it was functioning normally. I ended up paying an outside certified mechanic to do a diag on the issue. He actually did a proper inspection of the brake system and found that a seal in the brake master cylinder brake booster had failed and was leaking internally. I took this info back to the dealership and they still denied it lol! Took 6 months of being in contact back in forth with Subaru customer support to finally get the matter resolved.
I want one of these bc I live in West Virginia in the mountains and I want to take it on these curvy roads up here. This is a nice suv and it’s the last one Albert beriman made. So that’s another reason why I want it and I’ve seen it break 5 seconds in 0 to 60 and on the dyno it has 276 whp to the wheels so probably 330 to the crank!! Sixth auto dyno it! But I want one
While you mentioned the powertrain is the same, that's not entirely correct. The Elantra N and the Kona N both got larger turbochargers and appear to have been noticeably underrated on power. Bone stock Kona Ns have dyno'd at 270whp pushing closer to 280whp with NGS active. Great video and keep em coming 👌🏻
I have a 2018 Elantra GT Sport (i30 N-Line) and really like it! I just really wish that the N version was here in the US instead of the Kona. I have kids and the 4-doors and a usable back seat is a must and prefer the hatch over the sedan. From everything I've seen of the Kona it's backseat legroom is less than what's available in my car. Why make this just so you can sit a few inches higher off the ground when the i30 N already exists? I guess Americans love their SUVs, but do car people?
I get this car completely. As a car guy who now has three small children this car adds options to the segment I am in at this stage of my life. I understood this thing from the very beginning.
I'd like to see that, I think they'd have to do some re-engineering to the transmission/differential to fit in the power take-off for the rear wheels. Their current explanation is that it would add weight and cost. Personally, if they're trying to keep it low cost, they could give us the option of cloth seats and not having a hole in the roof. While added weight can affect cornering, a proper torque vectoring AWD system would more than make up for that, honestly it would make the Kona N the first true WRX competitor since the Lancer Evo died.
I hope so, though the Kona has been around a long time, so it might have to wait for the next complete redesign. I'm unsure of why they didn't do it. If you're already charging a significant premium, including AWD shouldn't add that much more.
@@markmiller3279 On the regular Kona, adding AWD adds $1500 to the cost; the cost might be higher on a hypothetical Kona N AWD, depending on what differentials they use.
I was arguing with a couple of people in the comment section on another video on how SUVs and CUVs are the bane of existence for automotive enthusiasts and this car is a fine example of that. 😆
The presentation is clearly tongue in cheek and has just gone over your heads. N man is obviously a parody of the stig, Biermann is hamming up his ex M credentials and they clearly show a gormless youth being slid around between the shipping containers. They are having fun
This is gonna shake up the market so much tbh everyone is gonna be trying to beat this. A cheap fun cuv that looks sporty is exactly what casual people will opt into.
so.... I had a neptune blue GR86 on order since December, they kept pushing it back over and over again then said I couldn't get it in Neptune blue. So I decided to look for something else. I was out looking for a Santa Fe for my wife and I pulled into the lot looked in my rear view mirror and BAM a red Kona N. I said to the wife, holy shit they have an N on the lot and it's not sold already?! Took it out for a test drive and INSTANTLY fell in love with it. They are 100% correct this car puts a smile on your face every single time you drive it. is it perfect? no. is it practical? not really (compared to the GR86 yes). Heres the thing the only one that could drive the 86 is me. This car? my whole family can drive it and it's managable but i can drive it like the asshole I am at the same time. Zero regrets cancelling my 86! PS. F you Toyota! =) My only real gripes are about the infotaintment system including the harmon speakers, and i really would have prefered a rear wheel drive. Yes, I know the veloster is but I never really likes that body style.
Love the "dealer who will undoubtedly screw you" bit, had 2 visits to hyundai dealerships which left a bad taste in my mouth, they just pushed the car so hard out my budget, almost a 15% markup.
Your first mistake was talking into a Hyundai/Kia dealership. Lol How those brands think they can even mark anything up is beyond me. People buy them because of the warranty and price, most people full well knowing they are garbage cans waiting to go to the dump. Don’t buy a product such as these brands and support their marking up. Every bit matters.
So, Hyundai has a Stig now? That's what it looks like. Shame the i30N didn't come to the states, but I think cuv/suv market turns out to be bigger than the hatchback / hot hatch market. At least from Hyundai's point of view, so we end up with this.
I have driven this car and its fantastic. The only fault with me was the leg room in the back seat. If it wasn't out of price range due to the ridiculous market adjustments right now I would definitely buy one. If you can find one on my area they are going for no less than $40K
Mark before driving Kona N: This is a piece of s**t.
Mark after driving Kona N: This is the most fun I had driving a car in a while.
Mission accomplished for Hyundai and Mr. Biermann.
hyundai has been on roll recently
@@patthonsirilim5739 like a hot dog, I'd say.
I would say they were a little incredulous because of the marketing, which I’ll agree is a little ridiculous. But in order to come up with a proper opinion you gotta drive it.
this aged like doggy doodoo
@@BrandonLeeActualhow?
This is for the person who’s partner wants the Kona (cuv), but they want a hot hatch. Sometimes a market segment buyer is actually two people compromising for one car.
I don't understand what the Kona offers that the Elantra hatch does not?
@@pizzasaurolophus ride height?
@@thecianinator yeah...this car is just to appease the wife when she has practicality concerns. "but look honey, it's just as tall as [insert generic CUV] and it can fit 2 Ikea bookshelves!"
U just typed out my actual life and soul decision when i picked my kona N up
Ow I think you hit nail on the head. As a fist'er, if I'd have a wife which needed practicality this would be my go-to.
It's not something I would buy, but frankly it is a brilliant car for today's SUV/CUV market. It makes just as much sense as something like an X3 M, but at a price the is not ridiculous.
The price is ridiculous only if you don't have that kind of cash flow.
What's 80k to a guy like Jack Singapore?
Here in EU Ford has it's Puma CUV with a 200hp manual that pops and bangs, for like 25k euro.
People buy X3 M for prestige and AWD, this has neither.
@@Mgoblagulkablong no one buys an X3 for prestige lol. They buy it cause they want to get a BMW but cant afford anything better
@@tavirosu25 that thing is super fun, better than Fiesta because of the suspension.
As a current Kona N owner and former tuned MK7 GTI owner, this car is bananas.
I enjoyed driving my Kona N more from the first day than I ever did with my GTI. The experience is far more raw and engaging. My Kona N came stock with everything I "had" to do to my GTI, so it saved me tons of money on modifying. Now I'm putting that savings towards lighter wheels (the one omission I care about from most other markets 😢)
This is a real monster for those of you who throw shade. If you drove one, you'd get it. Still a huge VW fan boy, but my respect for Hyundai has gone WAY up. Thinking I may do the 2.5T Elantra N if it happens.
I just 158mph top speed in mine--will post vids on it --also my mpg is 25.2
I love a clean MK7 I was popping and banging in traffic in the Kona n and a beautiful MK7 red with black hood came through showing love, rolling next to each other popping and banging
You posted the literally the same thing on The Smoking Tire’s review. Word for word including punctuation. So either you copied and pasted, which is weird, or you’re not a really customer and are paid by Hyundai, which is unethical. Either way, this is weird.
@@jshumphress13or they’re lazy, which I get.
@@jshumphress13 Or they just like their experience and wanted to share it on multiple big platforms. I've done that before.
2022 Kona N owner here. Wasn’t sure why it was made either. Then I drove it. Then I bought it. Thanks for your great reviews!
My friend test drove a veloster N because they had some gift card promo. He went in only to get the gift card. Drove the veloster N, left the dealership with a brand new veloster N.
He told me the story, I laughed. Then he said, “here are the keys, take it for a spin.”
I had a smile on my face the entire time, one of the funnest cars I’ve ever driven. I want one actually.
@@JH-qy7zw absolutely, I own a 21 DCT and good lord. That test drive was so exhilarating. Sure it was unfair as I came from a 99 Buick century xD.
After I bought the Kona N - I just had to re-watch this review. And it is amazing how much similarities my experience has to this video. Like I laughed my ass off for the first part, where Mark just didn`t see the point of this vehicle. And it was the same for me - when I first saw it live I was like - "WHat the hell is this and why should I want it?". But after some buyer swiped the i30 N under my nose at the dealership and I agreed to do the test drive of Kona N - I was just blown away how much fun I had with it. Hence - I immediately bought one and haven`t regretted the decision since....
Totally agree that I don't get why this car happened at all, but it makes me smile to hear you guys enjoying the driving experience. I got a Veloster N recently and it's been so much fun
you answered your own question in the comment. the driving experience. for people who want a kona with a little more umph at a budget. i dont get what all the sarcasm about "why this car was made"..... people are just sheep repeating what they say in the video 😅. its actually sad.
I totally agree with Allen the the comments. It’s fun. It’s the popular body type at the moment. It’s an inexpensive price point.
A FWD nah, I have a GT2 Stinger as daily and a C8 for the weekend. The driving experience is way different.
@@HanHsu910 cool. Not everyone has that much money.
@@HanHsu910 I have an indigo stinger I drive Keypoint is PRICE. It gives people who wants Kona some driving action. Doesn't matter if it's AWD or FWD. The slight performance upgrade improves driving experience
Bought this for my wife…so I had a reason to get it and boy this car is fun and a lot of people don’t mention how rare they are I’m the only one in my town with this car and get ask a lot of questions
less than 5k in the us i've heard
Perfect replacement for my PT Cruiser GT. I finally have a new heap for my Joann fabrics runs.
This is cursed in just the right ways
Shoring your age with this comment 🤣
Omg, rolling.
Slay queen
"Joann Fabrics... Now, that's a name I've not heard in a long time...a _long_ time. Take this, your mother's 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not as clunky or random as a Dodge Caravan. A more elegant minivan for a civilized age."
Jokes aside , I actually really like the Kona, and Really love the Kona N ! Not to mention that they all make more than advertised, Hyundai claim 276 at the crank , but people have dynoed these vehicles and gotten about 280 at the wheel , which is definitely over 300 at the crank
Why would they under rate the power on their new performance brand?
@@user59371 Is that not what BMW has always done?
In all seriousness, it's probably a worst-case scenario power number they are quoting.
Maybe they give you the guaranteed minimum figure and it can suffer from heat soak and other factors.
@@user59371 Who know the same with the Supra its power is under rated also I think the new Vette is also underated.
@@user59371 insurance cost, power figures are figured into the overall insurance cost of a car. Budget brand means budget all around
What a Tiguan GTI could have been, 5 years ago.
There is a Tiguan R but doesn't come to USA :(
You are referring to the original Tiguan, right? Not the recent porker model...
@@bonohyogurt Not sure what you mean but I would move earth and haven to own one if they were available here.
ruclips.net/video/Kz-_atEc8Es/видео.html
@@bonohyogurt Europe gets a short-wheel base Tiguan with a performance line, and just better engines overall..
@@Marbind there is also the 162tsi engined tiguan.
0:45 that vacuum cleaner sound had me rolling. You guys are just on another level, i enjoy every second of this channel. This Kona N is a total riot, my only disappointment is the lack of all wheel drive. It could have differentiated it more from the elantra and Veloster, bring even more buyers, bringing the N name to a new level of fun.
Im sure hyundai will take note and attempt this in the future. Hyundai and kia have actually taken more note of these kind of gripes and criticisms from car enthusiasts and have been making more leaps forward than many other car manufacturers.
i was laughing at the too lmaoo i thought it was a hair dryer and was like of courseeeeeee theyd add that audio over it lmaooo
Bingo. With AWD this would slaughter the competition in this class. FWD makes zero sense in a CUV.
I can see someone calling this car a barbarian so they can say "Yeah, I drive KonaN the Barbarian"
OK I bought one (Jul 2022), and I LOVE it. Best car I've ever had. Hauls gear, Hauls Ass. Cornering and braking tested (and rewarded) my courage.
Of course it was discontinued.😩
I own one and it’s been so much fun 5300 miles in 6 months. I look forward to getting behind the wheel every time I drive. Going to keep this car forever. It’s a special one
I smiled when Mark compaired it to the FiST. I have a 2018 ST. I LOVE it. It makes commuting to work a blast.
Same here! The fact that it echos some of the same liftoff oversteer characteristics honestly sounds like a blast. Also went with a 2018 FiST this year myself though! Even overpaying a bit it still came in at more than 12K+ less than something like this.
As a 19 FiST owner, I agree. I love my car and right now the only thing I'd consider trading for are a Maverick for usability and NY weather or the, likely unobtainable, GR Corolla.
@@Galian6686 Is fist , Fiesta St?
One of these came to my car clubs Autocross event a week ago and we all kind of scratched our heads about it until it hit the course! It was the first time the owner of the car did Autocross and he and the car did amazing well and he had a smile on his face after each run!
I think they were too critical of the Kona N. With car companies going ev and affordable fun cars are less common, we need companies like Hyundai building different and fun cars
As someone who previously drove a MK 7.5 GTI DSG, the 23’ Kona N has a less refined interior and leaves a little bit more to be wanted compared to the GTI but it makes up for it with it’s power output and transmission. Driving this machine on a twisty road is definitely where this CUV/Hot Hatch shines, and the E-LSD really does a great job at transferring the power to the wheels in a cohesive manner. If you’re looking for a fun and practical daily driver this would be a great choice if you don’t need something with AWD.
Funnily enough, I had a Kona Limited bc it was cheap, had a hatch, and premium audio. I LOVED that car, so was excited when they announced the N. I've traded in the Limited and had the N for 3 months now. It's a blast! Everything you guys said behind the wheel is 100% true. Started autocross with it and it's impressive.
how is it in long drives
@@MattGarcyaDCthe seats are comfortable and in normal mode the suspension isn’t too stiff.
How’s the soundsystem in the Kona N?
@def4983 Defintiely a premium audio package. The sub isn't super thumpy, but it's got some rumble, and the top end is clean enough. I don't listen to classical on it, so won't speak on the mids being crystal clear but it's certainly solid
@@tjfunction thanks for the reply. I think I’ll pull the trigger
I have an Elantra GT N-line, I know the Kona N is a way better car which ironically the Kona actually has less room despite being a SUV, just wish we had the I30N in the states. Not the biggest fan of the Kona N or Veloster, but I want a hatch which the Elantra N is a sedan.
My car is fun though, honestly impressed by what Hyundai has been doing lately.
if only they would have brought the i30 as the elantra in the US, which is what they basically did with the GT and then they discontinued it :(
Your N line can be tuned
They botched the Elantra GT N-Line release and then canceled it after nobody bought a car you couldn't find and when you could it was marked up. I'm still very pissed at them because now the EGT N will never happen.
What makes the Kona N an SUV in your mind? A Golf R is more of an SUV than this thing.
I test drove an Elantra GT-N-line, manual. It had a little turbo lag but not too bad. I found it to be a fun and quick thing for a relative bargain. I regret not buying it.
I’ve seen tons of reviews of this. Everyone acknowledges the compromises made to bring this thing out. And everyone absolutely loves rippin’ it around. I imagine this (and probably the other N cars) being a lot like the turbo Dodges from the 80s. Hold the wheel fun.
Yes the Shelby cars. My husband had an Omni but not the GLH he said it was a fun car great on gas.
Yes, sounds like the turbo shadow I had back when.
I love you for this. In high school, I inherited my dad's Dodge Omni GLH. It was insane to drive. I see this car as the first true spiritual successor, and I'm honestly thinking about trading my luxury sedan for it.
I think it's important to note that like the Veloster N, the super stiff suspension is only in N mode. Having to live with a stiff suspension may be a turn off for some buyers, when really that isn't the case. In the normal driving modes it rides like a normal car.
I can’t knock this. It looks good for what it is. Also, it’s affordable in today’s market. These remind me of a macan for someone who can’t afford one.
I love what Hyandai has been doing, but their dealers suck and keep me away from the brand.
Their new motors don’t last either.
Since moving to direct injection I wouldn’t touch a Hyundai / Kia.
They’ll need to do a port/di setup like Toyota to solve their problems.
@@hissingoose they just do not have that reliability that we've come to expect from other brands like Honda or Toyota.
my parents are of the same opinion. all the problems they had were with the dealer
Luckily in Europe they are not that bad
There are great Hyundai dealers and sales people out there.
I just got my Kona N (US version), my previous cars were a Fiat 500 Abarth and VW GTI. This thing reminds me of the best bits from each of those cars. I wished it had adaptive cruise control (it only has lane keep assist) and wished it had wireless Android / Apple integration (at least it still charges my phone faster wired). But boy does this thing put a smile on my face everyday :)
Did you test drive this and the Elantra N?
@@aricanderson3715 I was only looking at CUVs, so I shopped around between the Kona, Jeep Renegade, and Mazda CX-30.
Congrats. Seems like an amazing car that channels the best of those and maybe the Focus ST as well.
Abarth owner here as well. Its like they took an srt-4 ACR, Abarth, gti, etc etc learned from all those and built this. It's amazing.
How do you compare it with the GTI? I have a MK7.5 stage 1 tuned and live the idea of a Kona N
“Koner N” 😄
Honestly I will probably recommend this to some of the people in my life it would be fitting for. Its cheap and cheerful and low commitment.
As someone quite tall that once hurt his back trying to get out of a BRZ , this looks really good to me!
Shame its not all wheel drive though.
Nice vacuum cleaner sound track btw on the intro shot.
Test drive one and you would never think it's not awd, it really doesn't need it at all useless you're somewhere that snows a lot.
@@666Sinn Or he could just get the corolla gr
@@lclnbm and deal with the AWD overheating like the yaris does? Nah. Plus the markups on those won't make it worth it
@@Whileweweresinners the differentials were redesigned for the corolla. Lol all cars have markups rn. We're still in the middle of a chip shortage.
@@lclnbm got my kona N at sticker. Not true. It just depends on the dealerships. But that corolla will be marked up period.
I bought the EN about a year ago. They had a KN in that they let me drive for a day. I was blown away how much I liked it. It is a deceptively quick and agile vehicle. The short wheel base makes a bit more lively than the EN. I think it would do incredibly well at the local auto cross, then you can get your groceries on the way home......
Compared to an i30 N, the extra ride height of the Kona N ensures it won't scrape its front skirt over "traffic calming" measures like speed humps or steeply sculptured driveway entrances that infest the suburbs in my city. For older drivers, its extra height makes it a bit easier to get in/out than most hot hatches. It's short too, which helps find a parking space on busy streets. But what's with the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay?
Agreed. Its easier to get in and out.
Hyundai is korea. Koreans use samsing more than apple.
As much as it hurts me that small cars are going away I really can't bring myself to hate this thing. The personality, quirks, and legit performance are making this a real temptation.
This is quite small. It’s simply a slightly lifted hatchback.
I love how much their opinions changed, I would love to see what they would do if they brought the geniesus coupe back with some of these N characteristics
With soul crushing crossovers taking over the market share everyday, cars like this are such a breath of fresh air!
This is literally a tiny cross over….
This is a breath of fresh f*rt. Just buy a i30N instead if you want a hothach, not this nightmare looking thing.
@@Tibchy91 we don't have i30n here in America sadly, and looks are subjective. I think it would be hilarious to pass Corvettes and mustangs with a fish looking crossover at open track days haha
@@spencerh1803 yesh but it makes fart noises
@@pattyboi and is also one of the worst looking cars to come out in recent years. If this thing looked good it would be a cool car but unfortunately this thing is way to overstyled imo
I wish Hyundai would bring the i30N to the U.S. I owned a 2018 Elantra GTS and the power band with the turbo engine was not consistent. Sometimes it would move when you gave it the beans, sometimes it would take a bit to build up boost.
100%
Well we have the Elantra. Isn't that the i30 but just a sedan?
@@baronvonjo1929 we had the Elantra GTS which is the i30, but the GTS was discontinued in north America.
@@domdrty I can't find any model online called the GTS. Only GT. And the hatchback Elantra was based off the i30. So yes we did have the i30 bit never a N model. I suppose the Veloster is your best bet. I don't see why they would confused the lineup so much. Plus the Veloster honestly pretty bad sales. I bet they would save so much engineering costs by just making a Elantra N hatchback instead of the Veloster.
@@baronvonjo1929 the I30 is the hatchback lol
I saw one of these in person yesterday. I didn't know they even existed and was surprised by how good they look.
I see this capturing the market the same way the Caliber/Neon SRT4's are now. A budget performance fun car that can handle some abuse. The design isnt all that bad either. I think as long as the prices arent absoultely gouged by dealers (which they most certainly will be) then maybe this car would be a hit.
It will be ‘a hit’ even with dealer price markup gouging. However, the Toyota GR will give it a run for the money because the Toyota GR has four wheel drive advantage.
Absolutely! I just said that this reminds me of the turbo Dodges from the 80s.
It surprises me they came out with this now, as the Kona has been around for years and is due a replacement in a year or two.
@@king-xerxus7040 gr corolla already going for supra money since it has a limited run. Thanks to dealers
@@dub88acc dealers on the east coast will be asking over $45,000 before it’s done. Wouldn’t be surprised if they markup $50,000.
I purchased this car about 5 days ago and i love it. It does have a odd feel because you quickly forget your in an SUV. I love the wireless charging and the fact that i can start this thing just by placing my phone next to the door handle lol!! It's super quick and sounds great in N mode :-)
Some people are hating that Hyundai puts DCTs in their SUVs but I think that makes them unique. They might not be the most refined transmissions but the direct feeling they give to the driver just makes driving a crossover a bit more enjoyable.
Any type of transmission is fine as long as it’s not a cvt!
As a lover of hot hatches, this thing definitely has my interest. I'd like to drive one and see how similar it actually feels to a hot hatch.
Its a hot hatch on stilts.
I kinda wanna see how it sizes up next to my FoST. I'm interested in this and the GR Corolla. I want to like the Elantra N but the styling just isn't for me.
@@capblueberry I agree on the Elantra looks, thats why I bought the Kona N :)
I own a mk7.5 GTI and bought this car. Feels exactly like a hot hatch. Bought it over the Elantra because I’m tired of a low ride height but wanted a sporty car.
@@1209MArky I think its a good replacement and also gives you a slight power upgrade and nicer exhaust sound
I have a few cars in my garage, one of which is not the Kona N but an i30N hatchback with a stick shift 6 speed trans, not sure if you get it in the US but it has the same engine as this Kona N. I use it mostly for running around locally and journeys of up to 20 miles. Its so much fun and the exhaust pops and cracks make me laugh like a juvenile teenager. Its brilliant.
no i30 in USA, but we have the Veloster N
It's a shame that we don't. We have an older i30 and it's all the room we need. The rear headroom is worse than the Kona, but the legroom better. I think it's a reasonable package, as you can put four adults in it if two aren't that tall, or two adults and their luggage. I've carried all sorts of things with the seat down. The Kona isn't much larger. Sigh. I so wish we had it here.
@@markmiller3279 I live in Western Australia, we have both the i30N and the Kona N here. But the i30N is fine for me as I am single with no family so don't need too much space, it also means I have no "co-pilot" telling me how to drive or to stop being juvenile with the exhaust pops LOL
U guys prob can’t imagine how much i was waiting for this review from You! Thanks, alot!
35k, 10yr 100k warranty, 13.4 second quarter mile, 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds, 30mpg on the highway, and I could continue. If anyone is wondering what a home run in the car industry looks like…N vehicles would be a great example.
Own the Kona N. Such a great fun car.
@@drumflip1253 😈👍🏼
I bought a Kona about a year ago with just the 1.6 liter turbo and after hearing them announce the N model I had no doubt it would be an awesome car. I decided on the kona because I wanted something that struck a good balance of cheap/reliable, but even without the extra 100hp the N has it makes my daily commute a lot more fun. Is it the fastest car on the road? Obviously not, but it can still push you back in your seat and put a smile on your face anytime you hammer down the gas.
After this review, this goes on the short list of cars I'm considering next year. Of course, I have to go to a Hyundai dealership (ugh) but looks too fun to pass.
Check out Your Auto Advocate. Email the dealers first so you don’t get screwed around. I bought a Veloster N for msrp last year and didn’t get screwed around. They didn’t mention in the video but you get a couple years of free maintenance too.
It’s great! I just bought one and I had a GTI and mustang.
...or buy it thought your bank/credit union, let them do the dirty work, and you just pick it up at the dealer. Deny all extra packages, watch out for $400 Nitrogen inflated tires, and deny all extra warranty and services. Then, when you get home, remove all dealer plate frames and tacky vinyl badging.
Own one. Love it
I hit 165 mph on a toll road 2 days ago--it took a while--more then a stinger--but it got over 160 which is excecellent
I want this. I have a limited budget, need to do Costco runs, and I can’t afford anything else with any kind of engine.
I will have mine, black like this one, in about 2 weeks. Can't wait to have driving it :)
I have been asking for the i30 n for years. As such, the Kona n is still cool.
Uhm the i30 N exists for 5 years now. The current one also as fast back. They have electronic clutch type differential, 19 alloys and valve exhaust.
@@phg4977 Obviously he means bringing the i30n in North America
@@water123m i do not know why people sometimes obviously talk like there is only void after the border. so, i guess i misunderstood. to the topic, why not import one? if he is so dedicated to the i30 N i could be worth.
Ive had my i30n for just over a year and i love it so many people want one one’s they get past the Hyundai badge
Just bought a 2023 Kona N, coming from a 2020 Veloster N. This car feels so much like a toy with the LSD & DCT doing all of the work for me. What a blast to drive. Thanks for the review guys, was definitely helpful in deciding what car to purchase.
how would you compare it against the VN?
I came from a 2020 so the different turbo makes the power delivery completely different. Much more enjoyable IMO. I also like having 4 doors and the ride height. Seating position was much better in the VN if you like to sit low though.@@karmahunden
I've been really looking for a replacement for my Nissan Cube and my Kia Soul. I think this Kona N "Hot high-performance affordable sports track-ready CUV" is the perfect one.
I own the Kona N. It’s a fun beast and love to drive it
@@drumflip1253 Same, I got mine 3 days ago :)
I love how most people judge it so quick till they try it. Then they enjoy the hell out of it
Guys, Kona actually sold very well since it's launch in 2018, especially in Canada!
It makes total sense that they did N on it.
...
I owned a 2020 Kona AWD 1.6T, and loved it. There was a time window in 2021 when I could sell the Kona for more than what I paid for and still buy a 2022 Stinger under sticker - so I did it.
...
Then Mark bad mouthed the Stinger all over - OMG.
My Stinger GT Line AWD is a great GT car.
Is it perfect? No far from it.
But for the price point, I pick it over BMW 4 anytime!
Stinger is not a sports car, but a very happy commuter.
...
If I still had the Kona, Kona N might be my happy replacement.
The size is small, but perfect in the city, nimble and so easy to park.
The ground clearance is also perfect in the city - considering our bad curbs and potholes.
I really respect that they didn't lower the car for the N.
Kudos to Hyundai and Kia for these great cars for common people.
Also really love the shout out to the fiST.. I feel like in regards to modern day hatch’s. The fiesta st is way over looked an has some of the best driving dynamics of any new car, especially fwd. glad to hear this car reminds you of it. I’ve been contemplating this or the Elantra N. Great Video as always 🤘🏼
I’m actually impressed with the N cars for what they are. Had the velocster N out what was it two years ago at Road America. Fun little car to drive I need to go out and find me a Kona N to test drive now
It's a shockingly similar experience. Borderline scary similar considering the ride height difference. Do it. Me and my wife bought a Kona N over a Veloster quite literally because of how it drives, and the extra height for winter and our kid. It's fantastic. If you do find one, drive one.
I bought one and i never would have thought i would purchase a hyundai. It’s fun af to drive 🤷🏼♂️🍻
I so love this channel. These are by far my favorite reviews where they take something like this and just drive it like a drunken idiot with big stupid smiles on their faces and laughing all the way. Really loved the Hellcat Durango and Trex Ram reviews. Never change, SG.
Thanks!
I was really hoping this one would be AWD, and maybe something closer to the Pajero Evolution. Without that differentiation, I do wonder what buyer picks this over the Elantra N. It seems like a good car, but I’m not sure I see the justification for the added cost on this one.
This is more wild vs the more buttoned down and mature and roomy Elantra N. Both are solid.
It makes sense for people like me who live in a place with terrible pot hole ridden roads to get to good pavement and rip it. If I had bought an Elantra N I would have ripped off the front bumper 10 times already. Even people in Southern California are scrapping that front lip on the Elantra N due to it being so low with such a long overhang. When you sit in the Kona N it's very odd that you feel like you are in a low sports car and it really does handle and drive like one.
@@jagerking7020 makes sense. The ground clearance makes a big deal for those who live in areas with crappy roads. That includes here in Seattle where scraping low cars is very common. AWD would have made it perfect for those hills in the rainy winters.
I got one tbh I got mine for the ride height and the “no way that thing is fast lol” sleeper look, and both are working as intended 🙂… also looks better than the Elantra N imo and has 4 doors unlike the veloster N ..I’ve also been in places and unavoidable situations that would damage the bumper / underside of a normal car…
You guys are the absolute best reviewers anywhere! Your honest and not afraid to say what you think!
Honestly Jack was open minded but Goose came across as a brand/category snob here. It's a genuinely good car and as a car person I love any honest manufacturer that's trying to keep things interesting.
Yeah his rant about nobody knowing what a Kona is was disappointing to hear but funny.
We see lots of Konas in Toronto
@@perfectperfecto he was unnecessarily harsh on the stinger too, which is a honest attempt at a exciting car. I would save the rage for the nickel and diming Germans, who wouldn't up their game if these VFM brands didn't start throwing features at the consumer.
Agreed. Seems Goose has a beef against Hyundai. If he did a bit more research, he'd know that since Albert Biermann joined (now retired, sadly), the brand has been greatly elevated. They've won the 24 hours Nurburgring, won in TCR and WRC series. THEY DO HAVE CREDIBILITY !!!
I assume you didn't watch to the end...
@@harryspeakup8452 you assume wrong and his praise at the end just consolidates my point. He pre-judged the car without driving it
My sister traded her manual WRX in for one of these and at first I thought she was insane and then I drove it... You can't help but smile at this angry little beetle snorting on the upshifts
I just bought one and traded a CX-30 turbo for it and it is decently faster then my CX turbo which was pretty fast for what it is.This Kona will trounce most cars under 40k.I paid sticker which was 35k--which is what a loaded SI or GTI is and this KONA has as much midrange and top end punch as a Type R civic.The DCT also downshifts perfectly in turns and it should do very good once I get use to it on a track.Also with a 150 to 160 Top speed--it will outrun any sport coupe or CUV under 50k (only a stinger near this price is faster).Like he said "it would annihilate most cars at this price point and I agree"
This review helped push me over the edge to pull the trigger on one. Traded in my 18 Stinger GT2 AWD. LOVING the Kona N.
8:11 Reacting to torque measured in KIlogram-distance, not Newton metres.
Lmfao
I was shocked you guys didn’t attend the Hyundai N track day at Sonoma race track in late November 2021 to drive the Kiona N and Elantra N. Every other RUclips car reviewer was there. Every reviewer said they couldn’t get the grin off their face when driving these new N cars. Those reviews convinced me to buy an Elantra N which I did and have been driving since the end of March. Best car I have ever driven and I have owned Audis and BMW 3 series. When will you do a review of the Elantra N? You need to do both the 6MT and the DCT. And don’t give us the negative diatribe until you have driven it. Thanks and appreciate your candor and expertise.
I will have elantra n video done next friday. It will mirror your opinion.
We've seen performance versions of some weird ass cars and this right here is the newest and best of its kind.
I'll take it as a successor to things like Juke Nismo, HHR SS, Caliber SRT4.
The Caliber for sure.
What you explained described exactly what I was looking for!
"turned on 3 dysons" - I burst out laughing 😄
I REALLY want one in the "N" blue and red. The perfect car for me right now in life.
I'm sad they discontinued this after such a short amount of time.
I bought a 23 Kona N thanks to reviews like this. I haven't had this much fun in a car since my 2007 Cobalt SS Supercharged. The main difference being that Hyundai actually gets the power down and has a half decent interior. An absolute blast to drive and I can throw a hockey back in the back without playing Tetris.
This car has two fatal flaws. 1. The abysmal dealership experience. Which leads into flaw number 2. ADM.
Our local Hyundai dealership loudly advertises no ADM on any of their cars. Rare these days.
Sigh. Dealerships are mostly owned and run by exactly the same people who sell you other brands. Some are good, some bad. Our local one was excellent a decade ago,neasily the most impressive of four we visited. Rifht next door the same folks sell Buicks, Hondas, Nissans, and Volkswagens. They don't pick on Hyundai customers specially.
What is ADM?
@@traydamus "Added Dealer Markup" or extra profit.
That's not set by Hyundai. That's every single brand. Hyundai's might get marked up a little more, the MSRP is so cheap dealers don't make a lot of money selling at that price. You seem like you don't really know what you're talking about.
Jack accidentally activating Siri was just icing on the cake.
I own a 2018 Kona Limited 1.6T AWD, which in and of itself is a 6.5s 0-60mph car with good handling and fuel economy @ 175hp and 195lbs of torque. It's basically the best all-round/overall vehicle in the segment, probably why it's a best-selling vehicle in North America and was the 2019 SUV of the Year. So no, it's not "random".
What I completely don't understand/agree with is why, at $34k they took out the AWD system.
I'm EXTREMELY happy with my Kona N. It's basically my last 2 cars combined. 2017 Toyota iM which was a great car but extremely slow and a 2011 Mazda MX-5. It's the fun, practical red hatchback my iM was while having the rawness and playfulness of my NC Miata. The Kona N handles 10x better with double the HP. Happy boy I am having 2 of my favorite cars combined. Coming from my MX-5 the Kona N is a rolls Royce to me.
I can control the car with my phone, The seats are super comfortable and heated, it's quiet, has more power than 90% of whatever you pull up next to! Looks fun and sporty while not being flashy. It even has snow mode, paired with a set of snow tires I have no doubt the car will get me through a rough winter with that god sent LSD.
I've been waiting years for you guys to do a review on any of the Kona models. Thank you! I just entered my second year of ownership on a 2020 Kona SEL Plus with AWD. It has been a very reliable car with 20k+ miles on the odometer. I considered the Turbo (didn't enjoy the dual clutch tranny during the test drive) but I do quite a bit of driving in stop and go traffic so I passed but I've been happy with the SEL. Fun but pointless fact, the Kona was designed by Luc Donckerwolke who also designed several Lambos and Audis.
That’s nothing to brag about. Any car should be reliable for 20k miles.
Good choice avoiding the dual clutch. Maybe they're better now, but for years on Hyundai/Kia (and others - looking at you, Ford) -- had absolutely horrible dual clutches. They would often overheat in traffic or light offroad situations. Seems like only Volkswagen AG can get it right. Glad you're enjoying it. Curious to know how it holds up in the long term. I really like some of Hyundai and Kia's new design language - especially the new Genesis products, but I am still unsure about long-term reliability.
@@seanm3ify I know, I was just mentioning my experience so far and my Kona was included in the engine recall but passed as it was made in March of 2020 and according to Hyundai, should not be affected.
@@lukeheffernan I will be keeping mine through the duration of at 5 year bumper to bumper warranty. Yeah, I watched the dual clutch turbo overheat on a mild uphill section during a TFL video and I wondered how that would perform even with AWD in sloppy Nebraska winter weather.
@@travisp11 Ha, that's the video I was thinking of. Just goes to show how reviews can go a long way!
Great review guys....I'm glad it got you to grin....that's all Mr.B wanted. 👍🏾
The new N cars are pretty cool. Im looking into getting the elantra N soon
Ive driven a kona N and from the outside you dont think much of it but then you drive it and its a lot of fun and feels much smaller than it is
Love my Kona N! Glad to see it being reviewed by you guys
I work at a Hyundai/Toyota dealer in sales and we have a used 2022 Kona N with I think around 30K miles on the lot that's around $28k and I'm surprised it hasn't sold yet. Get it certified and you have a fun and practical hot hatch with a 100k mile powertrain warranty. It's a shame the market in our area consist mostly of Karens, the elderly and yuppies.
The dealerships are a nightmare. So that would prevent me ever buying one. The engine failures in the last few years are not good.
Agreed.. love the car but there is no independent shop support for KIa/Hyundai and the dealer techs are having serious morale issues and hate warranty work.
It's the reason I went VW despite the reliability concerns.
Hyundai/Kia have also had the worst mark ups since that became a thing.
Are the engines in the N cars part of the engine failures?
Can you explain about the engine failures? Which model and year specifically?
@@mr2turbo12 no, tho only time will tell, all new engines for Hyundai n Kia for 2022
While I entirely agree on the car, I entirely disagree on the ad. That shit was really funny. I love it.
Still wish we had the i30, or rather, Elantra GT N.
That last comment in the final thoughts about a 10yr 100k warranty that you will ultimately get screwed on sounds more like a subabubaru hallmark promise lol. The Brakes went really soft on my wifes 2019 Subaru outback 3.6R Touring with 33k miles. I scheduled an appointment with the dealership to have it looked into. After having the vehicle for 3 days I received a call and they said it was functioning normally. I ended up paying an outside certified mechanic to do a diag on the issue. He actually did a proper inspection of the brake system and found that a seal in the brake master cylinder brake booster had failed and was leaking internally. I took this info back to the dealership and they still denied it lol! Took 6 months of being in contact back in forth with Subaru customer support to finally get the matter resolved.
I always enjoy watching these videos. I enjoy and appreciate their raw honesty without any compromises. Thank you guys.
I want one of these bc I live in West Virginia in the mountains and I want to take it on these curvy roads up here. This is a nice suv and it’s the last one Albert beriman made. So that’s another reason why I want it and I’ve seen it break 5 seconds in 0 to 60 and on the dyno it has 276 whp to the wheels so probably 330 to the crank!! Sixth auto dyno it! But I want one
While you mentioned the powertrain is the same, that's not entirely correct. The Elantra N and the Kona N both got larger turbochargers and appear to have been noticeably underrated on power. Bone stock Kona Ns have dyno'd at 270whp pushing closer to 280whp with NGS active. Great video and keep em coming 👌🏻
As someone who laughed at the Macans but now owns a Macan GTS I can see the appeal of a car like this. Gotta keep a open mind!
Lol…loved the farcical bari sax segue for the driving impressions 👌🏼
I have a 2018 Elantra GT Sport (i30 N-Line) and really like it! I just really wish that the N version was here in the US instead of the Kona. I have kids and the 4-doors and a usable back seat is a must and prefer the hatch over the sedan. From everything I've seen of the Kona it's backseat legroom is less than what's available in my car. Why make this just so you can sit a few inches higher off the ground when the i30 N already exists? I guess Americans love their SUVs, but do car people?
I have an 2018 Elantra GT Sport too, with the 6 speed manual. Great little car and is fun to drive.
I get this car completely. As a car guy who now has three small children this car adds options to the segment I am in at this stage of my life. I understood this thing from the very beginning.
I wonder if an AWD version might show up in a year or 3
I'd like to see that, I think they'd have to do some re-engineering to the transmission/differential to fit in the power take-off for the rear wheels. Their current explanation is that it would add weight and cost. Personally, if they're trying to keep it low cost, they could give us the option of cloth seats and not having a hole in the roof. While added weight can affect cornering, a proper torque vectoring AWD system would more than make up for that, honestly it would make the Kona N the first true WRX competitor since the Lancer Evo died.
I hope so, though the Kona has been around a long time, so it might have to wait for the next complete redesign. I'm unsure of why they didn't do it. If you're already charging a significant premium, including AWD shouldn't add that much more.
@@markmiller3279 On the regular Kona, adding AWD adds $1500 to the cost; the cost might be higher on a hypothetical Kona N AWD, depending on what differentials they use.
I was arguing with a couple of people in the comment section on another video on how SUVs and CUVs are the bane of existence for automotive enthusiasts and this car is a fine example of that. 😆
I hope you'll review the Elantra N (DCT) which the more serious N vehicle.
We did
@@jackholmes8105 and it's gonna be up when?
The presentation is clearly tongue in cheek and has just gone over your heads. N man is obviously a parody of the stig, Biermann is hamming up his ex M credentials and they clearly show a gormless youth being slid around between the shipping containers. They are having fun
This is gonna shake up the market so much tbh everyone is gonna be trying to beat this. A cheap fun cuv that looks sporty is exactly what casual people will opt into.
so.... I had a neptune blue GR86 on order since December, they kept pushing it back over and over again then said I couldn't get it in Neptune blue. So I decided to look for something else. I was out looking for a Santa Fe for my wife and I pulled into the lot looked in my rear view mirror and BAM a red Kona N. I said to the wife, holy shit they have an N on the lot and it's not sold already?! Took it out for a test drive and INSTANTLY fell in love with it. They are 100% correct this car puts a smile on your face every single time you drive it. is it perfect? no. is it practical? not really (compared to the GR86 yes). Heres the thing the only one that could drive the 86 is me. This car? my whole family can drive it and it's managable but i can drive it like the asshole I am at the same time. Zero regrets cancelling my 86! PS. F you Toyota! =) My only real gripes are about the infotaintment system including the harmon speakers, and i really would have prefered a rear wheel drive. Yes, I know the veloster is but I never really likes that body style.
Love the "dealer who will undoubtedly screw you" bit, had 2 visits to hyundai dealerships which left a bad taste in my mouth, they just pushed the car so hard out my budget, almost a 15% markup.
You must be in the US. In Canada, dealers cannot markup prices :)
@@vroomgc blame that on legalized lobbying in America
Your first mistake was talking into a Hyundai/Kia dealership. Lol How those brands think they can even mark anything up is beyond me. People buy them because of the warranty and price, most people full well knowing they are garbage cans waiting to go to the dump. Don’t buy a product such as these brands and support their marking up. Every bit matters.
That’s odd. I bought my VN 21 DCT for 1.5k below MSRP. Hyundai of Cincinnati north
The ad with Biermann you showed, seemed absolutely normal to me (German)
Guess American Advertisement ist Just different
So, Hyundai has a Stig now? That's what it looks like. Shame the i30N didn't come to the states, but I think cuv/suv market turns out to be bigger than the hatchback / hot hatch market. At least from Hyundai's point of view, so we end up with this.
No, weren't you listening? They have N Man 😂😂😂 Instead of The Stig, we can call him The Ni... on second thought, nevermind.
I have driven this car and its fantastic. The only fault with me was the leg room in the back seat. If it wasn't out of price range due to the ridiculous market adjustments right now I would definitely buy one. If you can find one on my area they are going for no less than $40K