Hyundai Kona N 2021 Review

Compared to garden-variety Hyundai Kona models, which start from $26,600 plus on-road costs, the circa-$50K 2021 Hyundai Kona N brings a potent turbocharged powertrain, proper track-ready credentials and a heck of a lot more on-road presence.

Sat next to a regular Kona, the N-fettled baby SUV is immediately recognisable thanks to several N additions, including an exclusive mesh grille (and black Hyundai badge), stacked LED headlights, chunky yet aerodynamic side skirts, pumped guards, a ‘double-wing’ rear spoiler, triangular high-mounted brake light and dual exhaust tips.

The hot SUV’s mirror caps and roof rails are blacked out, while sporty red trim inserts feature around the lower portion of the body panels, and 19-inch alloy wheels with new ‘N’ centre caps sit atop red brake callipers at both ends.

Perhaps less noticeable upon first inspection is the Kona N’s 10mm-lower ride height (compared to the regular Kona) and increase in track width, which pushes the wheels out by an extra 20mm up front and 7mm at the rear.

All told, it’s the advanced engineering and high-tech gadgetry fitted to the Kona N that make it a proper performance SUV, but we’ll dive into that stuff in a bit.

Right up front, beyond the stirring looks, there are two model grades to consider: the entry Kona N (from $47,500 plus on-road costs) which we’re testing here, and the Kona N Premium (from $50,500 plus ORCs).

Both get the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, sending 206kW/392Nm straight to the front wheels via an eight-speed N dual-clutch automatic transmission.

There’s no manual option here – boo.

In addition to the highlights we’ve already mentioned, standard features include LED headlights, a 10.25-inch infotainment unit, Harman Kardon sound system, tinted windows and smart entry with push-button start.

The Kona N Premium adds suede/leather seats with heating and ventilation up front, a heated steering wheel, head-up display, sunroof, front parking sensors and ambient interior lighting.

As with other N models, Hyundai covers the Kona N with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which covers you for track days – just as long as the vehicle isn’t used for timed competitions.

As for maintenance, the Kona N needs to be serviced every 12 months or 10,000km, and will cost $335 for each of the first five services.

It really is what’s underneath the menacing exterior of the 2021 Hyundai Kona N that makes it a legitimate hot hatch on stilts.

The Kona N comes with a host of cool gear, most of which can be accessed via the 10.25-inch central touch-screen or buttons on the steering wheel.

Launch control comes standard, as does N Power Shift (NPS) to “minimise torque dip between gears”, N Grin Shift (NGS) which temporarily boosts peak power to 213kW for 20 seconds, and N Track Sense (NTS), a feature in the Kona N that can detect “spirited driving” and upcoming corners, dropping back gears and holding them to redline automatically (in Sport or N modes only with the shifter in D).

Six available drive modes comprise Eco, Normal, Sport, N, N Custom 1 and N Custom 2, the custom options allowing the driver to tailor things like steering feel, exhaust note, suspension and e-LSD settings, among others.

Several traction modes – Snow, Deep Snow, Mud and Sand – are at the disposal of the adventurous, while rain-sensing wipers and remote engine start (via the key fob) also feature.

And the tech doesn’t stop there, with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite bringing all the important gear, such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, driver attention warning, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, rear cross traffic alert, safe exit warning and rear occupant alert.

Meanwhile, the central touch-screen retains the all-important stuff, too: AM/FM radio, digital radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation with live traffic updates.

The Kona N’s eight-speaker audio system is crisp and a 10.25-inch LCD instrument display also allows plenty of customisation, enabling the driver to view oil temperature/torque/boost gauges, a lap timer, g-force meter and digital speedo, for example.

Rev-heads will appreciate a new Track Maps function that uses an on-board GPS to automatically record lap times. At launch, only Sydney Motorsport Park will be available, however Hyundai says more tracks will be added in due course.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona N shares its running gear with the proven OG (original) i30 N hot hatch, putting real weight behind what the brand is marketing as its first “true hot SUV”.

It’s got all the ingredients that made the i30 N such a hit when it lobbed a few years back – well, almost – wrapped up in a small SUV bundle.

Power comes from the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with maximum outputs now at 206kW/392Nm, all sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed dual clutch auto, the sole transmission option for the Kona N.

As mentioned earlier, you can temporarily wring even more power (up to 213kW) out of the Kona N using the N Grin Shift function, but only for 20-second increments. It’s honestly difficult to notice the extra 6kW, with dashboard theatrics and violent downshifts perhaps playing it up more than you can actually feel.

Placebo effect or not, there’s no doubting the Kona N’s 5.5-second sprint from 0-100km/h (using launch control), and its athleticism at any speed will leave few disappointed.

It can struggle getting that power down, and at times you’re met with mild amounts of torque steer while the front wheels scramble for traction. But when those Pirelli P Zero-clad 19s gather enough grip, the Kona N hunkers down and propels you forward.

The DCT offers short, sharp gear changes that are most responsive when you let it do its own thing – manual shifts (either with the gear knob or shift paddles) aren’t as swift. What you will discover in manual (or N) mode, however, is the Kona’s willingness to rev all the way to its redline.

Steering, although sharp and accurate, is perhaps a little too heavy in really any drive mode. And while it doesn’t come with a manual gearbox option, the Kona N at least gets an old-school handbrake, for, uh… stopping.

Compared to the related i30 N, the hot Kona is shorter in overall length and wheelbase, but also slightly heavier than its hatch sibling when fitted with the same DCT.

And it proves to be just as impressive on a snaking road, particularly when shifting its mass between corners, all the while hanging tight and flat in the process.

It really is a confidence-inspiring joy to fling around, just so long as you can deal with its firm ride the rest of the time.

If it’s a well-behaved, placid family hauler you’re after, the 2021 Hyundai Kona N probably won’t fit the bill, naturally…

Sure, the kids will get a kick out of its hot hatch-rivalling performance and raucous exhaust farts, but as far as everyday liveability goes, the Kona N will simply be too firm and rigid for almost anyone with a spine.

On smooth tarmac riddled with winding bends and tight corners, its nimble handling and crisp steering is a joy to revel in. But if it’s broken country roads or congested city areas you frequent most, even the Kona N’s slick dual-clutch auto might not do enough to convince.

Despite its circa-$50,000 asking price, Hyundai’s energy has clearly gone into making the Kona N a fast and capable machine rather than a luxurious one.

In turn, hard plastics and bland fabric upholstery make up the most affordable Kona N’s cabin. And while there’s nothing wrong with the fabric trim, we reckon it’s worth spending the extra dollars on the plush Alcantara-clad pews found in the Kona N Premium.

The seats alone have plenty of manual adjustment (and bonus electric lumbar adjust for the driver), so finding a driving position will be easy for people of most heights.

And, as with the regular Kona that was named carsales’ Best Small SUV for 2021, two average-sized adults will fit fairly comfortably in the rear seat, where you’ll also find ISOFIX anchorage points on the outboard seats, a centre arm rest and a single USB outlet, but no air vents.

Similarly, the Kona N’s boot has a 361-litre cargo capacity with a space-saver spare under the floor, equating to an area just 13L less than the regular Kona.

Despite a few flaws, there’s lots to love about the 2021 Hyundai Kona N. It’s loud, fun and quirky, not to mention one of the most affordable proper performance SUVs $50K can buy you.

However, to this tester, it’s difficult to see why one would choose a Kona N over the equally good choice of the i30 N, which brings a similar-sized cabin AND the option to get the more engaging manual gearbox.

A manual transmission for the Kona N would be a big tick in our books, even though Hyundai says between 70 and 80 per cent of i30 N buyers will opt for the new-for-2021 dual-clutch auto instead of the six-speed DIY alternative.

Yes, the Kona N is newer, fresher and slightly bigger than the i30 N. But that doesn’t necessarily make it better, especially when the facelifted hot hatch brings all but the same equipment levels.

That said, if there wasn’t a market for affordable high-performance small SUVs from mainstream brands before, Hyundai is certainly carving something out of nothing.

And let’s not forget that the Kona N was overseen by former BMW M guru Albert Biermann – and that it sits more than $21,000 below the cheapest M-branded BMW X2…

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Kona N cost?
Price: $47,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 206kW/392Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 9.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 206g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested