Hyundai Kona N Is Bang-For-The-Buck Performance

Рет қаралды 19,056

Күн бұрын

Don’t have BMW or Porsche money but want a performance machine that satisfies the driving enthusiast in you? Hyundai offers up the Kona N to scratch that itch. More power, bigger brakes, adjustable dumpers, an electronic limited slip differential and much more make it a blast to pilot. Tom Voelk looks at a loaded Kona N with 8-speed transmission because it’s the only way you can get one.
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting). But really, all you need to know is in the videos.
00:00 Intro
00:40 Pricing
1:10 Competitors
1:41 Performance
2:13 Powertrain
3:45 Handling
4:20 Sound
4:38 Transmission
5:10 Road Noise
5:55 Ride Quality
6:13 Brakes
6:35 Fuel Economy
6:50 Interior Interface
8:07 Back Seat
9:19 Design
9:55 Cargo
10:55 Red Light Green Light
11:48 Summary
12:44 Epilogue
13:06 Thanks Martin
13:21 Blooper
13:45 Fun Fact
hyundai kona n interior, hyundai kona n sound, hyundai kona n exhaust

Пікірлер: 105

@SLE3PR Жыл бұрын

Tom, back in 2012 I was sitting in the tiny office of a car salesman after seeing a manual Chevy Sonic on his lot. I had never heard of them, so I pulled out my old Samsung Galaxy Nexus and searched frantically for a video review. I found yours and subscribed that day. Ten years later, I now own a brand new Veloster N - mostly based upon your video about it.

@juicedeservedwhathegot5491 Жыл бұрын

i have a sonic and just bought this kona n, interesting i see your comment today after purchasing

@FiveBoroNative Жыл бұрын

Your reviews are really what's needed. You're speaking from the perspective of a educated man talking to an audience with working class incomes. Thank you...!

@PWarren4 Жыл бұрын

While I always like the Porsches, BMW M’s and the like - I appreciate the more common/affordable car reviews even more. Good show Tom!

@brianreardon7700 Жыл бұрын

Tom i tell ya I have had many gtis and I mean many.. and just got a new Kona N .. never thought i would enjoy something affordable more than the gti.. but just love this silly fast little car!

@apexcobra.official Жыл бұрын

I cross shopped these with the GTI and in the end the Kona N won. Such a sweet car for the money! So much fun.

@michaelarch3779 Жыл бұрын

Exceptionally well done as always, always engaging and fun to watch!!!

@peterhong526 Жыл бұрын

I thoroughly enjoyed your review of the sonata n-line in the past. I see that you continue to have excellent reviews from a practical perspective that is easy to take in for a normal person looking for a fun ride for their hard earned money. I appreciate that you keep in mind the bang-for-the-buck value in the N cars that you review.

@JDelta87 Жыл бұрын

Well produced review again, Tom. Thanks again for Mr. Campbell lending his time to help with these reviews as well.

@ryanm9628 Жыл бұрын

I own the car. 0-60 is Ok. This car was designed for the track. It is quite capable around the corners. It is definitely a sleeper. This car will hang with cars that are much more expensive on the track. Unfortunately, dealers are selling above MSRP.

@ronbleazard Жыл бұрын

I just bought one the end of October for MSRP I told them I would wait if they didn’t give me the low price. Love the car!

@ganthc Жыл бұрын

Great review, Tom! That car seems like a lot of fun. I’m sure the Evil Twin appreciated the color choice.

@timalma Жыл бұрын

Tom you're very close to have 200 K subscribers. Steady

@kevinennis1631 Жыл бұрын

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.

@eloneatmyshorts Жыл бұрын

You finally got a chance to drive the KN! I’m having a lot of fun with it than I ever did with my previous Mk7.5 Golf R.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

Not only did I drive it, I have people throwing money at me! Which I appreciate Fawkes.

@yanb1981 Жыл бұрын

Since you had the Golf R, how's the Kona compare being fwd only? Do you find it lacking awd or is the fun and grip factor high enough it doesn't matter? Curious since you've sampled both

@MarioDallaRiva Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Tom! 👏🏼

@the_jarmel Жыл бұрын

GREAT JOB TOM......HAVE A GOOD DAY EVERYONE

@freelife9512 Жыл бұрын

역시 코나N ~

@joelpeterson2074 Жыл бұрын

Great review as always, Tom! I actually got the stink eye when asking to drive a Kona N. They wouldn't let me drive it since I wasn't purchasing it that day. I'll probably just find a different dealer to test drive this. A couple things hold me back from the Kona N: as a Minnesotan I really want both all-wheel drive and a heated steering wheel. Honestly, I'd just get snow tires and deal with front wheel drive if I could have that heated steering wheel. I believe you asked me about where I was from in the comments of the Volvo XC40 Recharge review and I failed to answer, I am from the Twin Cities and I grew up watching Mark Rosen do the sports on WCCO TV. Were you TV or radio side? Also, I showed my wife the fold-out hook on the glove box in her XC40 and she was VERY pleased, so thanks for that!

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

Best of luck choosing. I used to work with Mark Rosen when I was a photog there. Worked the Dave and Doug Moore too (plus Steve and Marlo on PM Magazine).

@joelpeterson2074 Жыл бұрын

@@DrivenCarReviews Thanks for the reply!

@Rich944inSK 3 ай бұрын

@joelpeterson2074 I live right in the heart of the Canadian prairies so I can attest to being snow bound too. With a set of capable snow tires the KN is extremely capable. Stick the E-LSD into Deep Snow mode, and you virtually eliminate wheel spin in poor traction conditions. I have Nokian Hakkapeliittas, and highly recommend these tires. The Canadian cars are equipped with heated steering wheels, surprising that US cars do not?

@williamwebberjr8045 Жыл бұрын

Great; video, just forwarded it to wife and son as we are looking for a sporty practical vehicle we can all share.

@the_jarmel Жыл бұрын

Good job Martin ..

@sunnyvalentino Жыл бұрын

Tom, great job. This N is really amazing. A new Kona is coming soon, but Albert Biermanm has retired. Would love an AWD version. Which car was more fun for you- GR86/twins or this/ElantraN ?

@brucebrowne5022 Жыл бұрын

Great review, as always. One quibble though...2:48: summer street tires like those Pirellis are great in the rain! Just keep them away from snow and ice.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

Great? I don't know about great...

@ahmedsyed3436 Жыл бұрын

2:19 You are right, it sounds good. But they’ve gotta make this awd.

@chrisfreemesser5707 Жыл бұрын

+1 on the need for a manual in a car like this. If it had one it would be on my list of possible next cars...

@clubracer6 Жыл бұрын

Cool car by a cool reviewer! A compelling argument, but too many other choices out there, including some under the same badge. I think I for me the GLI or GTI would win if I were someone who buys new.

@localnut1 Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

Thank YOU Steve.

@MyerShift7 4 ай бұрын

I do not like SUV's, and lament the lack of AWD AND/OR a manual, but I find these very interesting.

@christopherprose3881 Жыл бұрын

Wish it was offered in AWD and that's it. Otherwise, it's great that buyers have an option like this at a reasonable price point. With almost 300hps, the not-as-great gas mileage makes sense, but with gas prices being what they are, some might look elsewheres. Still, I the Kona succeeds. Not as sophisticated as the GTI, but it seems to offer more bang for the buck... and a few more smiles per gallon.

@robr1969 Жыл бұрын

It was interesting seeing the copy that you read pop up for the first 2 seconds...

@Shotis Жыл бұрын

Love the performance, hate the aesthetics. (of the Kona) Great review nonetheless, Tom!

@tobiasramstotter4362 Жыл бұрын

Like it or not, this is what the future of hot hatches looks like for the american market.

@TJDST4 Жыл бұрын

I like it. It is an actual hot hatch.

@SinCityAMG Жыл бұрын

Tom, I'm 55 and wondering if this would be too boy-racer for me? I currently have a C63 and Macan GTS and looking for a daily and this and a Mini Cooper (S or JCW) caught my attention.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

You're only as young as you feel. The suspension is firm and the interior doesn't have the quality of the MINI. I suggest trying to get a test drive to see how it measure up to what you like.

@citibear57 Жыл бұрын

I think the Kona is a cool-looking little hatchback. I don't think that I would go with the N model though. As for the small size, unless you have kids how often would anyone sit in the back seat? Your friends may offer to take their vehicle instead - saving you the cost of fuel. Tom, if you see this comment, what are your thoughts on the various Hyundai/Kia recalls recently? Is their engineering/quality slipping?

@joemartino6976 Жыл бұрын

Yikes! That adjustable exhaust would be a $2900 option on a 911.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

True

@janoycresnova9156 Жыл бұрын

More like $9000 option

@wilmotown Жыл бұрын

I have always thought the Kona was a bit of a minger. It’s a great car, especially with this power and driving experience, but I’m not a fan of the design. The Elantra is better, but I think even that is a little much, especially compared to the very handsome 2017-18 models. Same with the Tucson. I hope they bring more Ioniq design language to their gas cars, because the 5 and the upcoming 6 and 7 all look very cool and modern without being outrageous. If I were buying a Hyundai, I’d probably hold my nose and buy a black manual N Elantra or Veloster because, based on my Veloster N test drive, that driving experience is definitely worth it.

@blueridge8992 Жыл бұрын

I’m a WRX and Miata owner, obviously a performance enthusiast, but I really feel like the N-Line is a more compelling Kona. It has 200hp, DCT, AWD, fuel economy up in the 30s, a ride that won’t knock your fillings loose, and it costs $7000 less than the N. The N-Line is closer to being an AWD Civic Si than the Kona N is to a Korean Civic Type R.

@apexcobra.official Жыл бұрын

I disagree. The ride in the Kona N with suspension on normal settings isn't really that bad, people blow it way out if proportion. If you drive in eco mode for MPGs it will get 25+ city and 31-36hwy. The N-Line model may be AWD, but it isn't sporty at all, and the trans isn't nearly as good as the 8spd DCT in the N. Even being FWD only, for example, the Kona N still outperforms the WRX in both acceleration and track times. It's the best performing yet practical and most fun vehicle in the price range, only really being beaten in performance for less money by the other N cars. The eLSD is good enough in the N cars that not having AWD doesn't even really make a difference unless you're driving in the snow or something. Slap some good tires on the front of the N and it will basically cut the same 60ft as you can with a WRX without eventually blowing out the transmission.

@ryanm9628 Жыл бұрын

I disagree. I own the car and had a 2018 wrx. The Kona N will run circles around the WRX. It’s also more comfortable with the adaptive suspension. On a track, it would be very close with a Type R.

@oraclemiata845 Жыл бұрын

I own the Kona N and a substantially modded NA Miata, so also a performance enthusiast. The N-line honestly cannot be compared to a SI. It’s sporting intentions are quite minimal, whereas the N can give the Type-R a run on a short track.

@Hushh27 Жыл бұрын

Other reviewers that I’ve watched said the ride is rough and the seats aren’t that comfortable what did you think of them ?

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

I found the seats to be great. Martin found them fine as well. Neither of us are wide guys so that might be it.

@cindysue5474 Жыл бұрын

The seats are nice they hold you in place. In N mode the ride is a little rough but you can just go sport mode or eco or normal for a much better ride.

@joselopez5878 9 ай бұрын

It’s definitely got a stiff suspension! You sacrifice comfort for an aggressive car.

@Kiss__Kiss Жыл бұрын

Hopefully, the Kona N will eventually be made with AWD. Nice to see Mr. Evil Twin, himself lol

@dumpnchase Жыл бұрын

I know it’s becoming more common but No spare tire big negative for me.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

You could buy one, it would fit.

@cindysue5474 Жыл бұрын

@@DrivenCarReviews Not in the US I'm going through that nightmare right now bought one from the dealer it would not fit over the brakes or rotor even on the rear. I bought a new rim over 600 bucks the dealer had to search around the US for the tires none in Arizona, I hope the new wheel will fit in the spare tire compartment wont know till the car is towed to the dealer. To folks that have one now or thinking about it first thing that is a must is a spare that fix a flat is a joke the side was torn on my tire don't understand other parts of the world get a spare but not the US its about safety not weight savings.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

@@cindysue5474 So, you're saying a space saver won't fit over the upgraded brakes? I suppose that makes sense, I just figured there would be one in the Hyundai lineup that would.

@cindysue5474 Жыл бұрын

@@DrivenCarReviews Yes the spare that I received would not fit but in other parts or the world the Kona N gets one that works but not the US.

@pappaslivery Жыл бұрын

I need a hatch due to having a large dog. And I want a manual. Why does Hyundai not quite make what I want.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

It's not just Hyundai. It's most automakers.

@pappaslivery Жыл бұрын

@@DrivenCarReviews true, but the pieces are there. They killed the Elantra gt right before we got N. And they don't give the Kona N a manual. Honda does the same where the Si isn't available in the hatch. There was a study that said that hatchbacks were popular among more euro centric enthusiasts, but so far it seems that only VW has that memo. C'mon Corolla GN!

@fist003 Жыл бұрын

i think the KZfaq subtitles went wonky at the beginning of the video

@ksorsomeplace Жыл бұрын

Too bad there are not more of these around available for sale.

@denault3985 Жыл бұрын

It kind of looks "sporty" but it's still a Kona... Excellent presentation as usual.

@76carmel Жыл бұрын

I kinda think that the lack of AWD in the Kona would be a setback. But in this test drive, it wasn’t.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

AWD would add weight, complexity and cost. So there's that.

@thomasloftus1950 Жыл бұрын

been enjoying ur reviews for many years-- would you consider lightening up about “only one seatback pocket..”… its getting old---

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

That's not me. That's my brother.

@jfresh2054 Жыл бұрын

I wish the front end was all grille. Just don't like the front end at all. Looks like those jeep compact suvs

@ThorMaxx Жыл бұрын

This or the Elantra N?

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

Haven't driven the Elantra N.

@ThorMaxx Жыл бұрын

@@DrivenCarReviews would love to hear your choice when you get the chance. I have heard it is more refine experience to the Kona and quite liveable and not just raw performance.

@christophcollier Жыл бұрын

VW GTI

@jayjudd6518 Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a motor cycle. Or chainsaw.

@rickjames5998 Жыл бұрын

Can they make a N spec EV Kona? and sell it for 35k.? Where's our 35k Tesla Model 3's that we were promised years ago?

@cindysue5474 Жыл бұрын

Yeah and in the US you cant get a spare tire Im going through that nightmare right now.

@ForgotToMentionThat Жыл бұрын

Awd?

@christophcollier Жыл бұрын

No, it’s not a Subaru.

@subvet3668 Жыл бұрын

Wish they would have offered a manual option.

@wildone106 Жыл бұрын

wtf its faster than a 370z

@gethao5220 Жыл бұрын

No thanks for price tag lol

@benjaminmatte5225 Жыл бұрын

I like it, needs awd though, kind of a no brainer Hyundai

@NormandyFoye Жыл бұрын

And here comes the Dodge Hornet….

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

Easily a size larger.

@apexcobra.official Жыл бұрын

@@DrivenCarReviews Not going to perform as well, either. Even the hybrid engine option with more power has slower stated acceleration specs. They do honestly look pretty nice though, they'll just be bigger/heavier and not on quite the same level performance-wise.

@vicp8772 Жыл бұрын

Think in 4-5 years it'll b dropped for something else. And tons of gremlins

@sloanNYC Жыл бұрын

I actually thought the Kona meant electric... I didn't realize they have so many variations. Go for the electric instead of this! LOL

@TinLeadHammer Жыл бұрын

Base GTi MKVII was $26.5K MSRP four years ago. It could be had with $5K off, $21.5K that is, because no one wanted a manual Golf. As for MKVIII, its instrument cluster is unusable and ugly, an instant fail. As I see, the Kona also uses cheap flat screens with rendered pictures of instruments - not my cup of coffee.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

Welcome to the future. "Clusters" will all soon be screens.

@BikingBadwithTC Жыл бұрын

@marcelstanford430 Жыл бұрын

Second.

@ducknorris233 Жыл бұрын

First

@miketrebert7788 Жыл бұрын

Oops! i watched a few seconds of this one by mistake. I only watch your EV reviews, sorry. You always do a great job but being an American (as I am, but living in Australia) you have to cater to an audience, many of whom still buy those old-fashioned carbon burning conveyance machines.

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

There are only so many EVs and they only make up 5% of sales volume. So there's that.

@janoycresnova9156 Жыл бұрын

That's the entire audience basically. You're in some weird fringe minority that's very obsessed with EVs. Everyone else understands they're too overpriced and too limited at this moment to consider and likely for the foreseeable future.

@miketrebert7788 Жыл бұрын

@@janoycresnova9156 Wow! That famous bubble called the USA. EVs sell in huge numbers in China and Europe.

@apexcobra.official Жыл бұрын

@@miketrebert7788 You do realize that there are still a lot of people out who much prefer ICE vehicles, with their things such as turbochargers and a good exhaust note...

@miketrebert7788 Жыл бұрын

@@apexcobra.official I repeat: USA bubble. Climate change.

@1970borntorun Жыл бұрын

Umm, hello! Earth to Tom?? Why are you even mentioning this small SUV in the same class as the GTI and Camaro? Speed is the ONLY thing these cars have in common. It's like all the so-called, respected KZfaq car review sites that compare the Nissan Z to a Mustang. One is a SPORTS CAR and one is a MUSCLE CAR! This isn't Rocket Science, people lol

@DrivenCarReviews Жыл бұрын

You are not thinking outside the box. All of these cars are similar in price, all are fun to drive. And I'd cross shop a Z and a Mustang. Why not? It's about driving, not labels. I'll stand by that all day long. And while the Mustang GT might be a muscle car, not sure I'd put the EcoBoost in that category.

@oraclemiata845 Жыл бұрын

Because it’s not really an SUV. It’s a tall hot hatch.