When he said "Nürburgring" I expected someone from off-screen to kick his ass (some will get the reference). Hyundai has been on a roll since 2010. I owned a Sonata Turbo and now a Genesis G80. Wonderful machines!
I usually really hate the crossover market but I always liked the kona, feels just like a tall hot hatch rather than a shrunken down SUV. Looking forward to the N version.
Veloster N: Kona N, what is best in life? Kona N: To beat your enemies, to see them driven in your rear view mirrors, and to hear the lamentations of thier drivers!
love my Kona 1.6 already have 108k miles , so having 100 more hp and still having 100k mile warranty would be excellent... if i could find one close to sticker price, they keep selling before the reach the lot around here.
@parsram the Auto I hear is smoother, but you should definitely take a drive in the Turbo DCT varieties. It's not Porsche or Ferrari quality by any stretch of the imagination, but it makes it more fun to drive than any SUV other than maybe the Afla Romeo Stelvio or Macan S
@@greatwhiteevox1008 sry, but I’d never buy a small turbo or CVT. So, I’m super happy to get the regular torque converter automatic since only CVT is available for newer 2022 Kona. Plus I’ve watched TFL’s video and they had a really rough time with DCT for going up mountains. However, on the highway, I do wish I had turbo power for passing.
This car is a fkn beast I had mine for 2 weeks and it feels like a bull everything it does is aggressive lmao but fun. Im already at 4K miles I can’t stop driving it 😩
Absolute love where Hyundai are going with the N division.Test drove an i30 and you can tell from the tile you press the start button that it's something special.
@@appleaccounts2524 I've got one and I love it....haven't cussed the engineers at all. I've found the handling to be fantastic, so I can only guess that it was a problematic driver in the experience that you had?
2wd is why it feels alive and fun. Sq2 and cupra formentor would have it on launch. Once rolling I suspect they would feel quite dull compared to kona N. Love mine. Reminds me of my old ep3 civic type r. It's that much fun.
I actually bought the first one sold in Laurel, Maryland in Racing Red. Didn't come with the lightened forged rims like the model your reviewing. I might splurge for rims, carbon exhaust tips, airbox, and larger breaks once I figure out how long it will be before either the Ioniq 5 N version or future Kona N electric will be available. Hell, got until 2032 before mandatory only to produce electric in the USA and this Kona N is angry fun and spirited driving.
Just when I thought an I20n was what I wanted after debating it was an I30N DCT this thing takes my mind and messes with it aaaarrrghh! Great review Rory!
When I downsize to one car I’m thinking of selling my Mk3RS Focus and standard Kona Elite (excellent handling vehicle) and getting the Kona N. Should be easy for to wife to get in and out as well as easy to park etc. Just needs a power lift-gate for added appeal to ‘er indoors.
I keep asking the same question, so I test drove the GV80 last year and happened to love it. Only design flaw was the awkwardness to get in and out of the rear passenger seats due to the short door height and narrow door opening. It drove like an Audi Q7 with the interior luxury of a Bentley. Another thing, they don’t do part exchange, and you can only buy directly from Genesis. They do pride themselves on superior customer service.
I guess hiring Albert Biermann was the best thing Kia/Hyundai have done for their image, for a very long time. They always did the sensible, but they can now please everyone.
Rory, talk about enjoy yourself! I have the same car in red as well and like Rory I absolutely love it! It's different from the norm and full of character.
Ive heard its fine in normal mode, depends on your tolerance to harsh suspenssion, for normal people its fine but sensitive persons will think its harsh
To say I'm a petrol head how have I only just discovered this car right now? Seen one today for the first ever time and thought wow what car is that? Straight to TH-cam!
Just had a test drive in one Peter, it's insane!(in a good way!) Can't trust myself not getting speeding points though, I couldn't seem to just plod in it but maybe it was because I only had an hour in it and was blown away after our 1.4 i30!😄
Greetings from NorCal. I have a 2018 Kona 1.6T AWD. No mechanical issues at all. I like my little car and it gets good mileage which is important hear in California where the price of gasoline is the highest in the country at about $4.50 a gallon. Not as high as the U.K. though, I realize that. Keep in mind our public transportation sucks and we are a big country and have further to drive. Anyway when it’s time for me to get a new car I definitely will consider the KonaN. I don’t mind the lack of AWD on the KonaN because I don’t need it where I live anyway.
If you think it’s that stiff that it feels like it doesn’t have suspension, that means you actually need to make use of the N custom mode and turn the suspension down to normal or sport. The steering is best in sport or normal as well. Everyone has known this since 2017. Calling it stiff isn’t a real, deserved criticism of the car
Since I'm not a native English-speaking guy, immediately when I saw the preview picture and text "Kona N", I completed the end of it as "... The Barbarian". Then I googled if I'm correct with the name, and, of course, I was wrong, since the correct name is "Conan". Still, I like the name - "Kona N The Barbarian" :)
I have a KONA N 1.6 turbo and love it. Obviously not as fancy as this one, but I adore mine. My guy friends make jokes about the 1.6 turbo and racing it down the local airport landing strip and through the cornfields.
Hows the ride comfort on normal modes when using it as a regular daily.......when not thrashing it around? Entire point of this crossover is to do do both well. Fun and comfort
*Hyundai is literally performing automotive miracles. They literally pulled the impossible with this car: making a modern manual transmission crossover that’s actually fun to drive.*
I just traded a CX-30 turbo for one of these and barely had to pay 1k after a trade in.Its a very capable sports CUV.I plan on shooting some videos of this vehicles capability.
Trying to decide on a car to buy next year and came across this I could buy as new. Or get a amg a35 saloon 20 reg what would you say is better for the balance of performance and fun and being sensible with space in the back and boot with 2 kids?
How does it compare to the i30N? We only get the Veloster N in the US. Would the Kona N be just as good for those who need the additional practicality of 4 doors?
I love mine but needs 4 wheel drive and even more power. Unfortunately it's not an animal in the corners. The back end is too light so is very tail happy amd not always in good way. Its desperate for suspension tweeks, lower offset wheels on the rear and lower stance. Would i recommend one? Yes but maybe wait for the next generation which should be available soon
We don't get that in the UK sadly. They only sold the standard Veloster and Veloster Turbo with approx 180bhp. Then they withdrew the Veloster from sale
Just learned about this Hyundai. Have a 2017 Tucson 1.6T and found it decently sporty for what it is, along with 4x4 mode that's worked nicely on snow in Michigan. Would lose the weather advantage of the Tucson, yet Kona N looks like a legit upgrade for +fun factor! Likely +ticket factor too 😏
I'm total in love with my brand new ford puma ST but man this thing looks stunning, not so ugly as the new i20N but it costs a lot more than the PUMA ST. The Puma can look like a mini Porsche Cayenne with closing your eyes a little, but the Kona N looks like the Lamborghini Urus with your eyes litte closed so now we've a mini Porsche Cayenne and Urus, what's next? xp
I have had a lot of success with KIa and their soul gas cars but we want to move maybe to one single small size electric and yet the soul seems to be fading at Kia?
Don't know why nobody mentions that Hyundai keeps the manual handbrake which is....awesome 😎 this is the real deal and the final touch of a fun cars! Electric handbrakes are just ruining the party!
That looks like an amazing experience and package for the money.. but a comparison would have been amazing, I'm thinking this vs Audi SQ 2. I'll do my own I guess...
Power wise my Kona unlimited is nowhere near this Kona(N)! But. Even at 100hp down of difference you still feel close to the ground driving it. I would love to test drive the Kona(N) and see how well it behaves
Had mine a month now and absolutely hate the Pirelli tyres ,they are awful . They don’t turn when cold they just slide . Really spoiling the ride as well .
Passed a Kona Electric in a ditch on a bend yesterday morning. One of the disadvantages of a heavy electric car on a -4c morning. They have so much mass, once it starts to go its bail out time. Not sure the Kona electric would compete with 275bhp ?.
When he said "Nürburgring" I expected someone from off-screen to kick his ass (some will get the reference). Hyundai has been on a roll since 2010. I owned a Sonata Turbo and now a Genesis G80. Wonderful machines!
Mat with a cheaky smile 🌚
Guess we'll just have to wait until Mr. Watson gets his hands on this then 😂
Get level get level get level (Matt Watson voice)
That's when we all missed Matt
I usually really hate the crossover market but I always liked the kona, feels just like a tall hot hatch rather than a shrunken down SUV. Looking forward to the N version.
Ditto for me! Waiting for the N to hit the Canadian shores. Up periscope, hurryscope!
Not to be offensive but this Hyundai sounds better than most sports cars today😂
KONA N ...the barbarian!
Clever!
Veloster N: Kona N, what is best in life?
Kona N: To beat your enemies, to see them driven in your rear view mirrors, and to hear the lamentations of thier drivers!
So it's likely to worry a Ford Puma
My thoughts precisely! KonaN the Carbarian! I even added an extra N badge to mine at the end of the Kona badge, so it now reads “KonaN” on the back!
@@phycoman4561you, my fine fellow, are brilliant.
love my Kona 1.6 already have 108k miles , so having 100 more hp and still having 100k mile warranty would be excellent... if i could find one close to sticker price, they keep selling before the reach the lot around here.
These days Toyota Camry base models go for 30 grand
I have the 2.0L AWD (2021 which has regular automatic) and with diff lock button and track off, it becomes a proper little rally car in the snow.
@parsram the Auto I hear is smoother, but you should definitely take a drive in the Turbo DCT varieties. It's not Porsche or Ferrari quality by any stretch of the imagination, but it makes it more fun to drive than any SUV other than maybe the Afla Romeo Stelvio or Macan S
@@greatwhiteevox1008 sry, but I’d never buy a small turbo or CVT. So, I’m super happy to get the regular torque converter automatic since only CVT is available for newer 2022 Kona. Plus I’ve watched TFL’s video and they had a really rough time with DCT for going up mountains. However, on the highway, I do wish I had turbo power for passing.
@@psewgobind hey it’s warrantied though a 10 year turbo car warranty sounds like fun to ken
Thank god we still have interesting vehicles like this. 👍👍❤
This car is a fkn beast I had mine for 2 weeks and it feels like a bull everything it does is aggressive lmao but fun. Im already at 4K miles I can’t stop driving it 😩
Lol I do 4K a year!
@@janpruijser8649 That’s what bicycles are made for😂
@@nielsvandenkieboom5034 I used to cycle more than drive 😂 5k cycling and 4k driving.
Rubbish plastics. rubbish build quality. Oversized wheels with crappy suspension for every day driving. Pointless.
@@DEVILTAZ35 Are you describing the new Golf or the Kona?
Absolute love where Hyundai are going with the N division.Test drove an i30 and you can tell from the tile you press the start button that it's something special.
I don’t really need small suv but man that looks fun to drive & I love the styling
There were times when Rory was driving this thing and it looked like they were wrestling… 😂
He's so right about the Kona... it is one agile little beast of a car! I love my Kona... looking forward to trying the Kona N.
The regular Kona is no "beast" of a car.
@Apple Account s
so you're saying no one should buy any Hyundai N vehicle
@@omaralkayal7598 He's just a hater pal, i've owed a i30N Fastback since 2019 and bee a blast and looking to change to the Kona N.
@@appleaccounts2524 I've got one and I love it....haven't cussed the engineers at all. I've found the handling to be fantastic, so I can only guess that it was a problematic driver in the experience that you had?
Haven't seen a car lift the inside wheel on turns this much since the VW Rabbit.....the N does like to play!
The king of lifting the inside wheel is the Ford Fiesta ST
@@wettenFTW wrong, Clio 182 Cup
@@user-vk4vd7vr5t true. But speaking of new cars, it's the Fiesta :)
I'm guessing you are not from Europe because a lot of hot hatches do that ....
2wd is why it feels alive and fun. Sq2 and cupra formentor would have it on launch. Once rolling I suspect they would feel quite dull compared to kona N. Love mine. Reminds me of my old ep3 civic type r. It's that much fun.
Now this the comment I was looking for. I had the ep3. How is the boot space compared to the ep3?
@@coolchow kona n is slightly bigger. Enough for the weekly shopping thats about it.
I actually bought the first one sold in Laurel, Maryland in Racing Red. Didn't come with the lightened forged rims like the model your reviewing. I might splurge for rims, carbon exhaust tips, airbox, and larger breaks once I figure out how long it will be before either the Ioniq 5 N version or future Kona N electric will be available. Hell, got until 2032 before mandatory only to produce electric in the USA and this Kona N is angry fun and spirited driving.
Hey man how much did you get it for?
Just when I thought an I20n was what I wanted after debating it was an I30N DCT this thing takes my mind and messes with it aaaarrrghh! Great review Rory!
I've had the 130n facelift it's a very hard ride but it sticks in the corners so swapped for this it's great fun
Hyundai has some weird looking, but pretty good cars
When I downsize to one car I’m thinking of selling my Mk3RS Focus and standard Kona Elite (excellent handling vehicle) and getting the Kona N.
Should be easy for to wife to get in and out as well as easy to park etc. Just needs a power lift-gate for added appeal to ‘er indoors.
Get it!!!!!
You are a good man.
Hey... When are you guys going to review the Genesis GV70 2022 model? or any of the Genesis line up for that matter?
I keep asking the same question, so I test drove the GV80 last year and happened to love it. Only design flaw was the awkwardness to get in and out of the rear passenger seats due to the short door height and narrow door opening. It drove like an Audi Q7 with the interior luxury of a Bentley.
Another thing, they don’t do part exchange, and you can only buy directly from Genesis. They do pride themselves on superior customer service.
Just bought a new 2023. Getting up to 34 mpg in normal driving mode.
Would love to see a track battle between this, a SQ2/T roc R and X2 m35i
I Just test drove one myself and you are spot-on in your review my brotha :)......Bottom Line: The Kona N is super contagious,
I guess hiring Albert Biermann was the best thing Kia/Hyundai have done for their image, for a very long time. They always did the sensible, but they can now please everyone.
Easily the best review I’ve seen on this car 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I've just ordered a Premium Hyundai Kona N with the standard sunroof. Can't wait for it!!!!!!
Rory is my fav TH-cam car reviewer. N for Nuts! 😂
Just wondering why this and the I20n got digital dials but the i30n got analogue...
Cool music at the end! Can anyone tell which one is that?
Rory, talk about enjoy yourself! I have the same car in red as well and like Rory I absolutely love it! It's different from the norm and full of character.
Nice track rerview , but how is the ride on normal ( often crappy ) roads? That is where it's going spend 99.99% of the time.
Wife: We needs some milk.
Me: comes back with a vanilla milkshake.
@@marcelstanford430 😆
As an owner, I can confirm that the ride is super smooth in eco and normal modes.
Ive heard its fine in normal mode, depends on your tolerance to harsh suspenssion, for normal people its fine but sensitive persons will think its harsh
To say I'm a petrol head how have I only just discovered this car right now? Seen one today for the first ever time and thought wow what car is that? Straight to TH-cam!
Just had a test drive in one Peter, it's insane!(in a good way!) Can't trust myself not getting speeding points though, I couldn't seem to just plod in it but maybe it was because I only had an hour in it and was blown away after our 1.4 i30!😄
Always been a great looking car and now with the naughty engine... Perfect! This seems like a right blast
I suppose its main competitor is the Cupra Formentor VZ3 with 300hp. Apart from the price difference of course.
Why no video on the i20n? I remember you saying you were excited to drive it last year
I have the same shoes as Rory. I can die with peace now.
I need you to live bro. We’re shoe bros
@@AutoTraderTV Noted. Besides that, I can't miss your handsomeness of course so I better stick around
Wow, I can see you liked that, I want to try one,who knows I might just buy it!
Kona N is my favorite N model and the Elantra N as well.
Greetings from NorCal. I have a 2018 Kona 1.6T AWD. No mechanical issues at all. I like my little car and it gets good mileage which is important hear in California where the price of gasoline is the highest in the country at about $4.50 a gallon. Not as high as the U.K. though, I realize that. Keep in mind our public transportation sucks and we are a big country and have further to drive. Anyway when it’s time for me to get a new car I definitely will consider the KonaN. I don’t mind the lack of AWD on the KonaN because I don’t need it where I live anyway.
Your gas prices are not as high priced as Canada either...
If you think it’s that stiff that it feels like it doesn’t have suspension, that means you actually need to make use of the N custom mode and turn the suspension down to normal or sport. The steering is best in sport or normal as well. Everyone has known this since 2017. Calling it stiff isn’t a real, deserved criticism of the car
Since I'm not a native English-speaking guy, immediately when I saw the preview picture and text "Kona N", I completed the end of it as "... The Barbarian". Then I googled if I'm correct with the name, and, of course, I was wrong, since the correct name is "Conan". Still, I like the name - "Kona N The Barbarian" :)
When will you do the honda hr-v 2022?
WHEN ARE U REVIEWING THE ELANTRA N? So excited!
I have a KONA N 1.6 turbo and love it. Obviously not as fancy as this one, but I adore mine. My guy friends make jokes about the 1.6 turbo and racing it down the local airport landing strip and through the cornfields.
Insufficient fuel? How's the MPG on this car with that kind of driving?
Hows the ride comfort on normal modes when using it as a regular daily.......when not thrashing it around? Entire point of this crossover is to do do both well. Fun and comfort
*Hyundai is literally performing automotive miracles. They literally pulled the impossible with this car: making a modern manual transmission crossover that’s actually fun to drive.*
its got a DSG
I've gotta my visuals game up this was good 🔥
But why not a review for i30N facelift yet?
I just traded a CX-30 turbo for one of these and barely had to pay 1k after a trade in.Its a very capable sports CUV.I plan on shooting some videos of this vehicles capability.
Thanks bro, always informative.
We considered selling our Kona Limited to upgrade to the N, but they don't offer AWD.
Damn, what's the tune at the end of the video? That's a banger
Hyundai. Top of the game right now.
Hyundai are rockin' it.. and so is Rory!
Another sweet little review in a sweet little car! Nice one..
5:29 this is cinema
So it's a hot hatch with more ground clearance?
Trying to decide on a car to buy next year and came across this I could buy as new. Or get a amg a35 saloon 20 reg what would you say is better for the balance of performance and fun and being sensible with space in the back and boot with 2 kids?
I have a 2021 Veloster N and love it..Love your reviews!!!!
How does it compare to the i30N? We only get the Veloster N in the US. Would the Kona N be just as good for those who need the additional practicality of 4 doors?
Great video team, I'm hoping to get my hands on the Kona N soon. 🙌
I love mine but needs 4 wheel drive and even more power. Unfortunately it's not an animal in the corners. The back end is too light so is very tail happy amd not always in good way. Its desperate for suspension tweeks, lower offset wheels on the rear and lower stance. Would i recommend one? Yes but maybe wait for the next generation which should be available soon
Nice review, thanks Rory
I kinda reminds of the Suzuki Ignis Sport. Kinda quirky but a bit cool for it.
As someone who lives in Pittsburgh I think this just makes sense for me. With that warranty it’s gonna be a no brainer at this point.
and its snows a bit there, right? Just asking as I live in Aberdeen and it’ll snow but nothing too crazy imo
Not keen on the back...lights look a bit odd tbh🤔
Has acceleration 0-100km/h time (5.5) seconds been measured with (N Grid) Over boost or not?.🤔
U mean NGS and no just launch control and N mode. Some are getting 5sec it is faster than the i30ndct dct
@@afrikengunner -Ok.
Rory make the best videos
Now we need to see this vs the puma St ❗
i love how hes driving a crossover and just thrashing it
Nice review dude
I have a Veloster N and I absolutely love it.
We don't get that in the UK sadly. They only sold the standard Veloster and Veloster Turbo with approx 180bhp. Then they withdrew the Veloster from sale
Just learned about this Hyundai. Have a 2017 Tucson 1.6T and found it decently sporty for what it is, along with 4x4 mode that's worked nicely on snow in Michigan. Would lose the weather advantage of the Tucson, yet Kona N looks like a legit upgrade for +fun factor! Likely +ticket factor too 😏
Trade it in. Although its still under powertrain warranty, the 1.6 dct Tucson is the least reliable Hyundai in a long time. Im a 16 year Hyundai tech
What the fuzz don’t know, can’t hurt ‘em. One must simply be sneaky.
@@anthonybomicino3276 bro how is the new Elantra and Kona n powertrains? I’ve been eager to buy. Is it a safe car to buy ?
@@zc1425 no issues seen at our dealership
@@zc1425 yes very safe had mine for quite sometime 45k miles no issues at all driven hard everyday 5k oil changes done!
I'm total in love with my brand new ford puma ST but man this thing looks stunning, not so ugly as the new i20N but it costs a lot more than the PUMA ST.
The Puma can look like a mini Porsche Cayenne with closing your eyes a little, but the Kona N looks like the Lamborghini Urus with your eyes litte closed
so now we've a mini Porsche Cayenne and Urus, what's next? xp
No offense but the Puma looks just dumb lmao... Plain Jane all around
Your reviews are so fun 🤩 😅
Well great if you have a family also if you're on your own. Good review Rory.
My mum just got the hybrid version, might suggest she gives it back and get this one instead 😂
Rory! My favourite car reviewer.
I have had a lot of success with KIa and their soul gas cars but we want to move maybe to one single small size electric and yet the soul seems to be fading at Kia?
Don't know why nobody mentions that Hyundai keeps the manual handbrake which is....awesome 😎 this is the real deal and the final touch of a fun cars! Electric handbrakes are just ruining the party!
I think it looks great and goes even better, fantastic work out for you Rory.
hyundai deserves a lot of respect
GREAT REVIEW LOVE THIS CAR
Does anyone remember a Hyundai Excel? Hyundai have come a long way..
does this mean there will be a new iteration of the kona electric? if so, ⚡️
Ni unfortunately not
That looks like an amazing experience and package for the money.. but a comparison would have been amazing, I'm thinking this vs Audi SQ 2. I'll do my own I guess...
The audi with similar options will probably cost you 15k more than the kona n
The Audi sacrifices some performance for luxury... And costs more.
Not sure 1.5 tons is light? But an interesting car, something a little different and plenty of power… (although it needs it as it is so damn heavy!!)
quite light for a car of its size
@@asifnoaman8978 200kgs more than a golf gti. It’s not light even for a car if it’s size!
Damn Hyundai is out here doing what Mazda should be doing.
Yo Rory the most fun small suv for u is the Kona N. Whats about the Rsq3? Just a question btw not hating
Kona is more fun to me.
@@AutoTraderTV understandable. Have a good day sir.
Buying It!!! Thanks Mate!!
You can ‘charge’ this with any ‘fast charger’ nozzle at any charging station: known as petrol stations.
High performance FWD SUV, it's pretty much gonna have the market to itself.
Right Crossover to annoy Gold GTi
Power wise my Kona unlimited is nowhere near this Kona(N)! But. Even at 100hp down of difference you still feel close to the ground driving it. I would love to test drive the Kona(N) and see how well it behaves
I have one and it is completely nuts, and completely awesome
How much did you get it for man!?
@@asianboyyy117 £36k or so, stock and straight off the boat, 50 miles on the clock when I got it 😎👍
@@jebelkrong i want one so bad. my mom would love. unfortunately that is a lot of money to me haha, i just gotta improve my income
Had mine a month now and absolutely hate the Pirelli tyres ,they are awful . They don’t turn when cold they just slide . Really spoiling the ride as well .
2022 Hyundai Kona N. 😎👍🏼Wow!
💪🏻😉😍
How does it compare to the Kona Electric in terms of performance (I know handling will be worse in the electric I mean acceleration etc)
Passed a Kona Electric in a ditch on a bend yesterday morning. One of the disadvantages of a heavy electric car on a -4c morning. They have so much mass, once it starts to go its bail out time. Not sure the Kona electric would compete with 275bhp ?.
@@TheSaabClinicUK Yep, even if the electric had more power I'd prefer the lighter car for handling and all the other benefits.
Can someone please send this guy to an advanced driving course before putting him in something bigger than a Picanto
Did all car manufacturers hire the same guy to design the headlights I have seen many different manufacturers with the same or similar setup
Should have made a 4 wheel drive version not a fan of front wheel drive SUV's
What's the price?