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.
Hyundai Kona N Performance Film
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
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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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