2022 Hyundai Kona N First Drive: The Crossover That Will Remind You Why You Love Smaller Cars
Elizabeth Blackstock
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You’re lying if you say you never wanted to be part of The Fast and the Furious.
After all, few things are quite as empowering as the growl of a loud performance engine carrying you away from all your problems — whether those problems involve street racing or dropping the kids off at school.
If that sounds like you, then you’re the perfect audience for the 2022 Hyundai Kona N, a cute little crossover with a truly deceiving amount of power hiding under the hood. Be ready to don a smile every time you climb out from behind the wheel. Seriously. I only had a brief drive in the Kona N, and I’m still grinning like a fool every time I think about it.
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The light blue paint and red accents is Hyundai’s way of telling you that this car is fun. Photo: Elizabeth Blackstock
How Does it Stack Up to the Regular Hyundai Kona?
If you see an ‘N’ at the end of a Hyundai model name, you’re looking at performance. This is the Korean brand’s designation for vehicles that prioritize power and fun over everything else, so you know you can count on fun paint schemes and loud exhaust notes that’ll let everyone know you’re coming.
The ‘N’ cars also usually have more standard models. In this case, we’re talking about the regular ol’ Kona, a compact crossover that probably won’t surprise or delight you but will leave you feeling comfortable and relaxed wherever you go. The regular Kona will have smaller horsepower and torque numbers. It’ll have softer exhaust notes and a capable but normal engine. It’s the car for people looking to save gas or money, who are more focused on time in the car and need good technology at their fingertips, or see their car as an effective tool for commuting or errand running, or who don’t want a compact SUV.
But if you’re looking for a little pep and fun, if you want the kind of car that’ll make your heart skip a beat, and you still want to stay on budget, the Kona N has the key.
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Changing drive modes brings up a helpful, color-specific graphic to show you what kind of drive to expect. Photo: Elizabeth Blackstock
Is the Hyundai Kona N Mom-Friendly?
While I’ll defend the glory of minivans on a daily basis, they just aren’t everyone’s style, and I know there are more than a few moms out there who might be wondering if they can have fun with their daily driver, which will still have to cater to their daily needs. The Kona N is, I’m proud to report, the perfect car to walk between both lifestyles.
Now, I want to preface this by saying that the Kona N is not spacious, so you’re not going to have the kind of space and comfort you’ll get in, say, a large SUV. You also won’t have handy features like rear charging ports for your kids.
But yes, you can fit a car seat into the Kona N (and its raised hip height compared to a sedan saves you from bending over to buckle the kiddos in), and its small size will remain comfortable for your children until they hit their teenage growth spurts. There’s not a ton of trunk space, but you can fit a small stroller or plenty of groceries and luggage for a weekend adventure. And, maybe best of all, you’ll have your kids squealing in delight every time you hit the Grin Shift button.
If you find that you’re tired of driving around a full-size SUV and you want something a little more exciting, if a little smaller and a little less kid-friendly, then the Kona N is the place to go.
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The Hyundai Kona N features something called “grin shift.” Push the red button on the steering wheel, and you’ll be rewarded with 10 extra horsepower — and a smile. Photo: Elizabeth Blackstock
The Hyundai Kona N Reminded Me Why I Love Smaller Vehicles
When I laid on the gas pedal, I could hear the ripple of exhaust and feel the rapid kick of power push me back into my suede-and-leather seat, long before I even popped it into Sport mode. After a long day of driving the larger Santa Cruz, the Kona N felt nimble as it glided across twisting California mountain roads. Some people feel invincible in larger vehicles; I feel invincible behind the wheel of something small that can slice out of the way of disaster at a moment’s notice.
I enjoyed the standard Hyundai Kona, but I do consider myself something of a car enthusiast. I may not be hitting the track, but I’ll admit to hogging the left lane on road trips, always looking to beat the GPS. And that’s the kind of car the Kona N is: a little beauty that belongs in the left lane but can also park in the tightest of spaces. It truly is the best of both worlds.
I can see this vehicle really fitting in well in a couple that has very mixed ideas about what a vehicle should be: a speed demon or a practical ride.
Hyundai’s N cars all share extra performance, paddle shifters, and those extra go-fast buttons on the steering wheel. Photo: Elizabeth Blackstock
What We Loved
- Grin Shift, a button on the steering wheel that provides a well-loved boost of 10 extra horsepower
- Comfortable suede-trimmed seats that aren’t uncomfortable like some performance vehicle seats can be
- Subtle N badging and that gorgeous baby-blue-with-red-trim paint scheme that Hyundai only offers on its N vehicles
- Different drive modes that let you either crank it up (Sport), tone it down (Normal), or make it friendly (Eco)
- An easy-to-use infotainment system loaded with helpful graphics and Cloud-supported navigation
The suede seats are supple and oh-so-comfortable. Photo: Elizabeth Blackstock
Who Is This Car For?
- Single women who know what they want and how to have fun
- Young couples who both love driving
- Empty nesters looking for a kick — within reasonable boundaries and comfortable hip-heights
- Small families; the rear seats can comfortably hold growing children, but you may want to upgrade when they hit their teen growth spurt
- Moms that need some extra pep to get through the day
The infotainment system on the Hyundai Kona N is high tech but super simple to use. Photo: Elizabeth Blackstock
Specs to Know
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque
- Seats 5 but more comfortable for 4
- Paddle shifters
- FWD only
- Rear spoiler
- 8-way adjustable suede-and-leather driver’s seats with heat and power lumbar support
- 10.25-inch color touchscreen
- Harmon Kardon sound system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired)
- Two front USB ports and a 12-volt outlet but none in the rear
- BlueLink connected technologies, digital key, remote start, proximity key
- Power shift, grin shift, sound equalizer, launch control, sport exhaust, and rev matching to allow you to make a statement both in the elementary school drop-off line and on the track
- ECO, Normal, Sport, N, and Custom drive modes
- It is not recommended that you tow with the Hyundai Kona N
- Safety features like blind-spot collision avoidance, cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and high-beam assist
And yes, there’s plenty of trunk space for small families. Photo: Elizabeth Blackstock
What Does The 2022 Hyundai Kona N Cost?
Pricing has yet to be released for the Hyundai Kona N, but the N is often considered a top-of-the-line trim for Hyundai vehicles, so we can expect it to run between $28,000 and $35,000.
The thoughtful N badging adds an extra layer of visual interest to the Kona — and lets everyone know that you like your cars fast. Photo: Elizabeth Blackstock
In the Mood for a Little Music?
Our Hyundai Kona N playlist perfectly fits the mood.
Full disclosure: Hyundai provided me with the Kona N for a test drive. All opinions are my own.