Hyundai’s N series is the pinnacle of high performance for its passenger car stable. Not to be confused with the more superficial N Line range, it denotes racetrack-worthy power and handling combined with everyday drivability for customers who want the best of both worlds.
This has nowhere been more evident than the Veloster N. But the kammback coupe with the quirky 2+1 door layout isn’t the only model bringing performance tweaks that were born and bred in Hyundai’s Namyang facility.
Just recently, Hyundai launched the Kona N for the 2022 model year, continuing to flex the carmaker’s motorsports-derived know-how.
Both vehicles place a weighty emphasis on spirited driving whether in the city or on the circuit, but the Kona N adds a dose of functionality and purpose.
As a subcompact crossover, the model benefits from 170mm of ground clearance that’s likely to give drivers more confidence in tackling a wider range of road conditions. Never mind if the Kona N skips out on the all-wheel drivetrain of the previous range-topping Kona N Line Premium variant.
The Hyundai Kona N kicks dirt whether it's on the trail or the tarmac
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The Kona N’s wheelbase falls some 50mm short of the Veloster N, but the former features a more conventional five-door configuration that means easier ingress and egress, with a spacious cabin designed for up to five occupants.
Even with the crossover’s more versatile interior, there’s no mistaking its performance bent with prominent N branding on surfaces such as the seats, steering wheel, and handbrake lever.
The interior is both functional and fun, with racing-inspired details
>>> Related: Hyundai Kona N already itching to be unleashed
Under the hood, the Kona N shares the same 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo gasoline engine as the coupe that puts out 275 hp. But the crossover’s power plant has been tweaked to produce 392 Nm of torque, (40 more than the Veloster N), making it more suited to hauling everyday loads when it’s not setting the asphalt on fire.
Performance is certainly what Hyundai’s Veloster N and Kona N have in common. But if you’re looking for something that’s a little more adaptable in everyday use, the Kona N practically has the upper hand.
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Know more about Hyundai Kona 2024
The Hyundai Kona 2023 is a subcompact crossover brought in by the Korean marque. It is available in the Philippines in one variant only which is priced at Php 1,188,000. Powering this vehicle is a 2.0-liter NU MPI Atkinson gasoline engine capable of generating 147 horsepower and 179 Nm of torque. Only a 6-speed automatic transmission is used to drive the power from the engine to the front wheels exclusively.
In terms of dimensions, the Kona has a length of 4,165 mm, a width of 1,800 mm, and a height of 1,550 mm. Additionally, it comes with a wheelbase and ground clearance rated at 2,600 mm and 170 mm, respectively. In the local market, this Korean subcompact crossover goes up against the likes of the Mazda CX-3, Kia Seltos, and Geely Coolray.
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