I love my 2023 Kona N, had a GTI for a bit but sold it and got the Kona N. It really has a better driving experience and has way more character. The 8 speed Wet Dual clutch is also miles better than that of a 7 speed DSG from VW. I loved the GTI as well but felt a little too refined for its own good. The interior quality was much better with the MK 7.5 GTI but lacked a bit more when it came to engine response. That’s what makes the Kona N better imo.
How have you enjoyed the dual clutch tramsmission? I've owned most of the hot hatches you can get in the US (horribly few offerings), but I'm getting to an age that I don't want to shift all the time. I've been putting off buying something for several years to wait for the FL5 version of the Type R, but shifting in traffic on the way to work is always going to suck LOL!
@@giff74 life update: trade in my Kona N for a Veloster n manual. After I heard they discontinued the Veloster I scooped one up before I couldn’t find a new one. The DCT in the Kona is fantastic, it’s always in the right gear for what you’re doing and you can also pop it into manual mode for that if you want.
@@drumflip1253 Thanks for info and I hope you enjoy your Veloster! I almost bought one of those a couple of times, but I just couldn't get past the unbalance the door situation created for me in my head.
@@giff74 haha thanks, yeah it’s quirky but that’s one reason I really enjoy this funky little beast. The Kona is great recommend taking one on a test drive.
Perfect daily, idgaf what anyone says. Fun car, with hatch practicality with launch control, awesome active exhaust, and a 10 year warranty if you can leave it alone. Take my money
I love this car! I’ve got the 2022 KIA Soul GT Turbo The very last turbo model soul my next car would be the Kona N It’s more than a pocket rocket with almost 300 hp all the torque you need with a wet dual clutch transmission and all the different adjustments that’s available to you the price is right on this little screening monster…the Snap, Crackle & Pop sounds are music to my ears! Keep up the fantastic car reviews I was wondering when you were finally getting your hands on one of these little demons….
Really solid overall review! Any other US available hot hatches you'd compare it to? I've been waiting for the FL5 version of the Type R, but I'm getting really tired of shifting during peak traffic commutes and dual clutch transmission has my attention.
Thanks for this! Any chance you'll get your hands on a refreshed '23 Soul GT Line tech package? I trust you'll actually tell us whether the ride is decent or not. My dealers won't have any in and don't do test drives since they are already sold upon arrival at dealership.
@09:54 note that not having smart cruz also means the forward collision avoidance system only uses the camera instead of using a fusion of the camera and radar. I learned this only after purchase and think it's a big deal. As for all the blank buttons, I couldn't see any options on the official build website so figured that's how it comes. It turns on the US version is missing lots of features this car has in the EU. No options for sunroof, power folding side mirrors, Homelink/autodiming mirror, Head-Up Dysplay, smart cruz and with it proper forward collision avoidance, heated/cooled front seats, heated back seats, heated steering wheel, more body colors, all black rims. RIP US. I'm going to try getting the radar installed on mine because I see that as a major bait and switch type deal, on a safety feature, not good...
I will say from experience it hasn't hindered my forward collision warning from going off constantly and accurately at that. It has saved me once already as I was coming in too hot behind a target :]
All the stuff that the EU gets that we do not just bums me out. I know the car is getting a refresh this coming year, so hopefully they put all that stuff back in it for us.
In Canada we get homelink , heated steering wheel , HUD all on kona N . People need to stop being upset over lack of forward collision features , people rely to heavily on that saving them or allowing them to become distracted and it warn them . Just pay attention to the road , that’s all you need .
It's stiff for no reason in N mode but in "normal" suspension the vehicle is like any subcompact cars that turn to "sport" trims. Good example is it felt like the Kona N-Line My Custom 1 - Steering-sport/Suspension-Normal/Transmission-Sport/ESC-Sport/Exhaust-Sport/Rest-Sport+/highest = comfortable to drive and doesn't make too many crackle/pops, stop and go traffic doesn't have as much DCT-slow-speed issues but I do find myself going back to "Normal" drive setting at times.
My 2021 Hyundai Kona was at Reliable Hyundai in Springfield Missouri for over 1 1/2 years. It only had 6500 miles on it and under full warranty. It had a transmission issue (s). The dealership experience was horrible. The excuse, week after week, month after month, was that the couldn’t get approval from Hyundai Customer Care. Only after getting an attorney involved, did they finally take the car back. During that time, they didn’t give me a loaner vehicle. I spent over $16,000 for 1 1/2 years of rental car expenses. I was expecting full reimbursement, but they only reimbursed $4000. What a scam! I finally went down the street and bought a Toyota Camry. I learned a lesson. I hope you avoid what I experienced.
@@PrimeAutotainment there is no 2024 model. They've discontinued the petrol unit to go Full explos#ve vehicle. Specs. Look for SCC. Tried to paste the link but RUclips blocked it
Just got mine and love it!
I love my 2023 Kona N, had a GTI for a bit but sold it and got the Kona N. It really has a better driving experience and has way more character. The 8 speed Wet Dual clutch is also miles better than that of a 7 speed DSG from VW. I loved the GTI as well but felt a little too refined for its own good. The interior quality was much better with the MK 7.5 GTI but lacked a bit more when it came to engine response. That’s what makes the Kona N better imo.
My daily! Love it. I’ve always been a hot hatch enthusiast and this checks all the boxes for me. Fast, fun and practical.
How have you enjoyed the dual clutch tramsmission? I've owned most of the hot hatches you can get in the US (horribly few offerings), but I'm getting to an age that I don't want to shift all the time. I've been putting off buying something for several years to wait for the FL5 version of the Type R, but shifting in traffic on the way to work is always going to suck LOL!
@@giff74 life update: trade in my Kona N for a Veloster n manual. After I heard they discontinued the Veloster I scooped one up before I couldn’t find a new one. The DCT in the Kona is fantastic, it’s always in the right gear for what you’re doing and you can also pop it into manual mode for that if you want.
@@drumflip1253 Thanks for info and I hope you enjoy your Veloster! I almost bought one of those a couple of times, but I just couldn't get past the unbalance the door situation created for me in my head.
@@giff74 haha thanks, yeah it’s quirky but that’s one reason I really enjoy this funky little beast. The Kona is great recommend taking one on a test drive.
Perfect daily, idgaf what anyone says. Fun car, with hatch practicality with launch control, awesome active exhaust, and a 10 year warranty if you can leave it alone. Take my money
The mode to use is N-Custom. Set everything to max, but keep suspension to normal.
and steering to sport not sport plus imo
I love this car! I’ve got the 2022 KIA Soul GT Turbo The very last turbo model soul my next car would be the Kona N It’s more than a pocket rocket with almost 300 hp all the torque you need with a wet dual clutch transmission and all the different adjustments that’s available to you the price is right on this little screening monster…the Snap, Crackle & Pop sounds are music to my ears! Keep up the fantastic car reviews I was wondering when you were finally getting your hands on one of these little demons….
I had a regular Kona and it was a great car, so I know this one is a blast!
Love it ,and pretty quick too !!
It's a mini Urus
Really solid overall review! Any other US available hot hatches you'd compare it to? I've been waiting for the FL5 version of the Type R, but I'm getting really tired of shifting during peak traffic commutes and dual clutch transmission has my attention.
Thanks for this! Any chance you'll get your hands on a refreshed '23 Soul GT Line tech package? I trust you'll actually tell us whether the ride is decent or not. My dealers won't have any in and don't do test drives since they are already sold upon arrival at dealership.
Dang that’s a shame! I’ll see if I can get one. No promises but I’d like to see it too!
Your way off on the MPG. Drove mine from Tucson to Phoenix got 35.4 MPG and the HP Hyundai sand bagged them numbers.
yep my stock Kona dyno'd 271/284
Excellent
What’s the lateral acceleration?
I want one! 😍😍😍
I own one, it’s fantastic.
@@drumflip1253 Nice! Wish I could have one too
I hope you are doing a night review of this!!!
@09:54 note that not having smart cruz also means the forward collision avoidance system only uses the camera instead of using a fusion of the camera and radar. I learned this only after purchase and think it's a big deal.
As for all the blank buttons, I couldn't see any options on the official build website so figured that's how it comes. It turns on the US version is missing lots of features this car has in the EU. No options for sunroof, power folding side mirrors, Homelink/autodiming mirror, Head-Up Dysplay, smart cruz and with it proper forward collision avoidance, heated/cooled front seats, heated back seats, heated steering wheel, more body colors, all black rims. RIP US.
I'm going to try getting the radar installed on mine because I see that as a major bait and switch type deal, on a safety feature, not good...
I will say from experience it hasn't hindered my forward collision warning from going off constantly and accurately at that. It has saved me once already as I was coming in too hot behind a target :]
All the stuff that the EU gets that we do not just bums me out. I know the car is getting a refresh this coming year, so hopefully they put all that stuff back in it for us.
In Canada we get homelink , heated steering wheel , HUD all on kona N . People need to stop being upset over lack of forward collision features , people rely to heavily on that saving them or allowing them to become distracted and it warn them . Just pay attention to the road , that’s all you need .
Cool
includ price first
Use Google
..
Wow
But is the ride Stiff? I’m looking for a new ride to loosen up my kidney stones
It's stiff for no reason in N mode but in "normal" suspension the vehicle is like any subcompact cars that turn to "sport" trims. Good example is it felt like the Kona N-Line
My Custom 1 - Steering-sport/Suspension-Normal/Transmission-Sport/ESC-Sport/Exhaust-Sport/Rest-Sport+/highest = comfortable to drive and doesn't make too many crackle/pops, stop and go traffic doesn't have as much DCT-slow-speed issues but I do find myself going back to "Normal" drive setting at times.
My 2021 Hyundai Kona was at Reliable Hyundai in Springfield Missouri for over 1 1/2 years. It only had 6500 miles on it and under full warranty. It had a transmission issue (s). The dealership experience was horrible. The excuse, week after week, month after month, was that the couldn’t get approval from Hyundai Customer Care. Only after getting an attorney involved, did they finally take the car back. During that time, they didn’t give me a loaner vehicle. I spent over $16,000 for 1 1/2 years of rental car expenses. I was expecting full reimbursement, but they only reimbursed $4000. What a scam! I finally went down the street and bought a Toyota Camry. I learned a lesson. I hope you avoid what I experienced.
I was just in Springfield at Reliable Hyundai looking at a used Veloster N. I've heard Hyundai dealers can be terrible, glad I passed on it I guess!
The specs list says it has Smart Cruise Control, so I don't know why you're dribbling nonsense
What specs list? The 2022 and 2023 Kona N in the US market do not have Smart Cruise. Limited trims do, not the N.
Things change in the 2024 model.
@@PrimeAutotainment there is no 2024 model. They've discontinued the petrol unit to go Full explos#ve vehicle.
Specs. Look for SCC. Tried to paste the link but RUclips blocked it
Lol 27 mpg. That's what my 5.7 hemi gets. 380 hp. Nice try tho. My exhaust note is so much deeper too.
Good lie