Hyundai’s hot Kona N driven
FIRST DRIVE Newcomer impresses in performance SUV sector
THE new Kona N – Hyundai’s first performance SUV – has been on the cards for a while now. It’s positioned as a much more powerful and costly alternative to our current favourite, the Ford Puma ST. However, it’s not quite into the £40,000plus realm of all-wheel-drive competitors including the Volkswagen T-Roc R, Audi SQ2 and BMW X2 M35i.
Power is provided by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol unit found in the i30 N Performance, developing 276bhp most of the time, but with an overboost capability that takes it to 286bhp. It sends that power to the front wheels via an eight-speed dualclutch automatic box – there’s no manual. The 0-62mph sprint takes 5.5 seconds with launch control. Top speed is 149mph.
In the UK, the Kona N has electronically controlled dampers and an electronic limited-slip differential as standard. Buyers also get more comfort and practicality over the i30 N. In Eco and Normal modes the Kona N is little different to drive from the regular version. It rides sweetly thanks to the slackening of the dampers, and the deeper tyre sidewalls you get on the 19-inch wheels shared with the i30 N. There are few hints that the quiet engine can transform into something altogether quite raucous.
To experience this, you have several options at your disposal. You can twist the small drive selector knob near the gearstick into Sport mode, upping pace and volume – but it’s not the sportiest mode. You can pick from five settings in total, plus a bonus mode, which is not entirely straightforward. There are two blue buttons marked N on the steering wheel, one of which activates N mode. But you can customise these by accessing the vehicle set-up options on the touchscreen infotainment system.
N mode is where the Kona N is at its best. Its damping immediately firms up, and through corners the stiffer set-up gives the car a sense of agility that defies its SUV bodystyle. A wider track results in little body roll, and the front end is very keen to turn in. The electronic diff plays its part perfectly, too – get on the throttle mid-corner and you can feel the car tighten its line. It’s well balanced, with easily accessible performance.
The red NGS (N Grin Shift) button takes things further still, activating the overboost function for a moment. Power rises to 286bhp for 20 seconds, while the chassis, traction control, exhaust and transmission settings are turned up to 11. It summons a short, distilled hit of the Hyundai’s personality without resorting to the many drive mode selections.
With eight speeds, the gearbox can get caught in the wrong gear, resulting in slight turbo lag. But on boost its 392Nm of torque lets the Kona N drag itself forward with the
sort of relentlessness you’d expect of a true performance car. Open the exhaust valves and it makes a pretty decent noise, too, popping and banging when you lift off.
Elsewhere, the rest of the package benefits from the car’s recent facelift. The interior is bang up to date with standard digital instruments and a new 10.25-inch central touchscreen, and the level of standard kit is impressive. The front sports seats are trimmed in leather and Alcantara, and have electric adjustment and lumbar support plus heating and ventilation. The rear outer seats are heated, too, as is the steering wheel.
Driver tech includes a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, a sophisticated lanekeep assist system, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, plus forward and rear collision-avoidance assistance.
“There are few hints that the quiet engine can transform into something quite raucous”
“NGS summons a short, distilled hit of the car’s personality without resorting to the many drive mode selections”