Test Drive: 2022 Hyundai Kona N | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2022 Hyundai Kona N

Magnificence: Subcompact Crossover

Miles pushed: 243

Gas Used: 11.0 gallons

CG File Card
Room and Convenience	B-
Energy and Efficiency	A
Are compatible and End	B
Gas Financial system	B-
Worth	B+
File-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver opinions. All grades are as opposed to different automobiles in the similar magnificence. Worth grade is for explicit trim degree evaluated, and would possibly not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of all the fashion lineup.
Giant & Tall Convenience
Giant Man	B+
Tall Man	B+
Giant & Tall convenience rankings are for entrance seats simplest. “Giant” score in line with male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score in line with 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specifications	276-horsepower 2.0-liter
Engine Kind	Turbocharged 4
Transmission	8-speed automated
Power Wheels	Entrance-wheel force

Actual-world gas financial system: 20.3 mpg

Riding combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway

EPA-estimated gas financial system: 20/27/23 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)

Gas kind: Top rate fuel

Base value: $34,200 (no longer together with $1225 vacation spot fee)

Choices on examine car: None

Value as examined: $35,445

 

Fast Hits

The nice: Nice guidance really feel, athletic demeanor, loads of a laugh to force

The great: Practical package deal, relative simple at the fuel, affordable value given the efficiency

The no longer so nice: Extraordinarily agency trip, by no means feels at ease, fatiguing on lengthy freeway drives

 

John Biel:

It kind of feels that Hyundai’s answer for packing loads of efficiency right into a subcompact SUV that it will probably nonetheless promote for $35,445 (with supply) to begin is to carry the road on luxurious. The Kona N comes with a meaty leather-wrapped N guidance wheel and seats with microfiber inserts that lend a hand to offer passengers slightly higher probability at staying in position all over lateral hijinks. There’s brilliant pedal trim, too. Alternatively, nearly all of the cabin isn’t any much less low-buck simple than tamer Konas which are in themselves nice offers.

The Kona N is able to fly with its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. There’s if truth be told not anything menacing concerning the powerteam in “Convenience” mode; it’s slightly docile round the town. Deciding on “Game” noticeably adjustments the aural panorama and perks up launches. The purple “N Grin Shift” button at the guidance wheel is presupposed to release an additional 10 horsepower—to 286—for 20 seconds. It didn’t precisely make this motive force grin ear to ear when he driven it however the tachometer made it transparent the examine automobile was once working in the next (and louder) rpm vary than earlier than. Indicated gas mileage on the finish of a 61-mile stint was once 22.5 mpg. That’s 0.5 mpg shy of the EPA’s combined-mileage estimate for the Kona N, and no longer unhealthy bearing in mind 69 p.c of this reviewer’s miles have been in city-type using,

Experience is agency, even in Convenience mode, and with reference to laborious in Game. There’s added firmness to the well weighted guidance when choosing Game, too. The front-wheel-drive N turns out to experience being driven thru fast corners, which it will probably do with out a lot lean. Braking from the enlarged 4-wheel discs is superb.

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As in any Kona, passengers experience sudden roominess—there’s respectable house for 4 “average-size” adults. Garage for his or her private pieces comes from a good-sized glove field, small-capacity console field, a internet pouch at the again of the entrance passenger seat, modest map wallet in all 4 doorways, and cup holders within the console and the pull-down rear armrest. Usual-issue Hyundai infotainment and climate-control techniques are simple to make use of. Fold the 60/40-split second-row seats and 19.2 cubic ft of shipment house grows to 45.8 cubic ft.

Tom Appel:

Again when I used to be in my mid twenties, I lived about quarter-hour from my process. My trip incorporated a handy guide a rough freeway dash that demanded motive force consideration, and a variety of engagement, as I used to be all the time working overdue. In most cases very overdue. I point out this as a result of my unswerving and responsive Volkswagen Scirocco was once all the time being driven laborious. Taking a look again, it kind of feels conceivable I subconsciously sought after to run overdue, giving me pretext for using like a man who was once—smartly—working overdue for paintings.

I’m outdated now, and no longer certain I’d experience day by day fiery sprints to the place of job. Much more likely, I’d simply permit myself slightly extra time and make amends for some of the part dozen podcasts I attempt to stay alongside of.

The Kona N jogged my memory of my mighty ’85 Scirocco. No longer since the Scirocco was once speedy—it wasn’t—however since the Kona is attractive in the entire proper tactics, regardless that it calls for so much in go back, and I’m not keen to make such compromises.

You’ll learn much more about what the Kona N is all about right here, however let me recap my time within the automobile. Sure there’s a variety of energy, and sure there’s a variety of lateral grip, however the two issues that truly make an competitive trip extra a laugh are guidance really feel and efficient, firm-feeling brakes, and the Kona N has each in spades.

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My number one problem with this small crossover is with trip high quality—and “high quality” could also be a misnomer right here. Even in Convenience, the mildest of the Kona’s to be had force modes, the automobiles kilos over highway imperfections and registers each floor irregularity. Twenty-something me would have described the crude trip as “highway really feel,” now I simply in finding it fatiguing.

Moreover, the exhaust notice is at the excessive facet, and a variety of highway noise filters into the cabin. However once more, those are affordable compromises made within the title of a laugh–a minimum of to the best motive force. I totally loved my time within the Kona N, and was once additionally happy to change into every other automobile when my flip ended. My trip is simply too lengthy, and I were given slightly too center elderly.

However guy, for those who’re nonetheless within the temper for an competitive dash to the place of job—or Very best Purchase, or Starbucks—the Kona N will praise you with a variety of edgy snark. Simply don’t get too outdated whilst you personal the ‘N, as a result of there’s no force mode for cranky.

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2022 Hyundai Kona N Gallery

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