2022-Hyundai-Kona-N-4

2022 Hyundai Kona N-line

For 2022, the Kona receives the magic we have seen in the Veloster Hatchback.

We have been anticipating Hyundai’s N performance sub-brand to integrate with more vehicles. The byproduct is an impressive turbocharged four-cylinder with sharp handling and stiff suspension. Additionally all the sporty goodies are present to the exterior: blacked-out grille, curved and vented front hood, large air intake, subtle light signatures, N badges, low profile tires, twin exhaust, and a red pin-stripe along the front bumper, skirt and diffuser. Inside the cabin, a red button on a perforated steering wheel is just screaming to be pushed. The button engages a boost mode, upping the 276-hp to 286 for 20-seconds. Seat coverings, more N badging, and Performance Blue accents complete the package. 

Behind the Kona’s N aggressive-looking, hole-punched nose sits the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that propels the tuner Veloster. Oddly enough, on a bases the Kona makes 192-horsepower, however as the aforementioned red button will unleash 10 extra horsepower for 20-seconds. Currently the Kona does not share the manual transmission option seen in the Veloster. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic shifts the Kona and boast the torque. The drivability is certainly pleasant. With engaging handling and responsive steering feedback this crossover embraces the N sport performance. The only knock, is that the interior can be a bit noisy at greater speeds and can feel almost too stiff at times. 

Every Kona N gets launch control, 19-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero summer tires, a variable exhaust system that should provide plenty of snaps and crackles, and the aforementioned overboost function. 

Inside striking N-specific details such as the Performance Blue accents seats cut through the all-black interior to spruce it up a bit. The near suede racing seats with N stamped badges looks and feels dashing. Contrast stitching, steering wheel, shift knob and metal petals blends the sporty design with the simplicity of the original Kona. The digital gauge cluster measures 10.3 inches and looks modern. Hyundai adds a dash-mounted head-up display to show you how fast you’re going. Underlining the Kona N’s sporting intentions, the 10.3-inch infotainment screen will present racetrack-minded Kona N owners—all five of them—with track maps and lap-monitoring information. Other features include Harman Kardon brings an eight-speaker setup, and buyers can charge their phones wirelessly.

While this Kona is equipped with many features, we feel this may be a very niche option. While it’s a more practical Veloster, this model may be lost in the weeds for those not keen to the Hyundai racetrack-mind. Did I forget to mention the N buttons on either side of the steering wheel can be toggled to desired drive modes, and they can also start the lap timer. The ever growing variations of the Kona keep coming.  

2022 Hyundai Kona N

Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE 
Base: $28,099

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 122 in3, 1998 cm3

Power: 286 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque: 289 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 2.6m

Length: 4.21m

Width: 1.8m

Height: 1.54m

Passenger Volume: 2690L

Cargo Volume: 538L

Curb Weight: 3350 lb

PERFORMANCE 
0-100km: 4.9 sec

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 10.6/11.7/9.0 L/100km

Automotive Reviews Crossover

2018 Hyundai KONA – Automotive Review

2018 Hyundai KONA – Automotive Review

There’s a trembling brewing up from Hyundai’s core, spewing out like an eruption is the all-new 2018 KONA. This is Hyundai’s first global entry to the B-SUV segment and is the smallest crossover in Hyundai’s lineup, however, this little KONA sure packs a wallop.

“Get a friendly aloha from this Mecca to you…”

– Beach Boys Kona Coast

Hyundai chose some interesting styling compositions. The decision to mold clunky plastic fender flares looks bad in my opinion and I would have preferred a continuation of the body paneling to be over the wheel-well like a typical vehicle. I understand the decision to look different and new, but I feel it missed the mark. The wide front grille is appealing, and combined with the slim aggressive LED headlights, gives the KONA the look of eye squinting focus. The rear end starts to lose that appeal and looks messier and more disorganized compared to the tight sleek front. Below the rear taillights are additional lights with indicators located separately. With the addition of the bulky molded plastic, the rear end looks too busy and doesn’t really catch the eye in a good way.

However, that is where my complaints end as equipped with the 1.6L turbo GDI engine this KONA provides a fun and practical amount of power. Ideal for zipping around town, the KONA wasn’t as gutless as it’s opponent the Honda HR-V. The transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and it shifts very smoothly. I was pleasantly surprised with the drive overall, as the all-wheel-drive combined with the multi-link rear suspension performed firmly and responsively. It’s particularly less top heavy then the Kia Soul, providing more control through corners. Also available is a turbocharged 2.0-litre. Having an estimated zero to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds is almost 2.5 seconds slower than the 1.6L GDI but combined with no AWD saves you about $7000 CND.

The interior will not blow you away, but that is not Hyundai’s intention. It was a safe design, giving every it features its occupants will need and making available all the features many will want. Nothing looks clustered, or busy, it just looks standard and typical. The infotainment screen can be between seven to eight inches in size depending on chosen spec. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto is great when in use. With so many options available on the KONA compared to the competition, ensure to choose things like the heads-up display or the wireless charging, which can be worthy and useful upgrades.

Up against the likes of the Nissan Juke, Kia Soul, and the Mazda CX3; the fuel economy of the KONA is on par with the competition. With such small engines, it becomes hard to break out in this category. With that considered, showing that it’s close to identical in this category; this is an advantage for Hyundai. The KONA was a more pleasurable driving experience with the combination of swiftness and power without sacrificing fuel economy.

Overall, I was impressed with the Hyundai KONA. I can see a small family living in the city will find this vehicle ideal. It’s ability to keep up with traffic, being affordable, and under-sized for parking will delight its owner. With everything you need and want bundled into a small package at an affordable price point, it’s no wonder that these types of crossovers are an ever-growing in popularity amongst the public. I’ll say that I’m positive you will be seeing many KONA’s zipping around your city for sure.

Key Features:

  • 2018 KONA is Hyundai’s first global entry to the B-SUV segment
  • Starting from $20,999 CND
    • 0L four-cylinder engine
    • 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft. of torque.
    • 0L FWD City/Hwy/Combined 8.6/7.0/7.9
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
  • Starting at $27,274
    • 6T GDI engine.
    • 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. of torque
    • 6T AWD City/Hwy/Combined 9.0/8.0/8.6
  • BlueLink telematics service
    • Accessed from: buttons on the rear-view mirror, the web or via a smartphone app
    • features like Remote Start with Climate Control, Local Search powered by Google, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Find My Car and Enhanced Roadside Assistance
    • *included in the Ultimate trim and is activated for a 5-year term from the date of purchase.
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Automotive Reviews
2018 Hyundai IONIQ Exterior

2018 Hyundai Ioniq – Review

2018 Hyundai IONIQ Exterior

2018 Hyundai Ioniq – Review

While the Automotive Industry boasts loudest about its unique outliers, there is something to be said about a vehicle like the Hyundai IONIQ that most accurately satisfies the true requirements of transportation, which is to safely and cost-effectively go from point A to B.

Hyundai is making a name for themselves in the green vehicle space with their impressive IONIQ. Going up against powerhouses like the Toyota Prius, Ford C-Max, and the Chevy Volt, the Hyundai IONIQ smashes expectations and offers more trims and options than all the others combined. Establishing a strong market presence with this product line makes sense for Hyundai from both a long and short-term perspective. As this industry must adapt to external pressures such as the rising price of fuel, and a need to switch from the individual consumer to the demands of larger business accounts like ridesharing and autonomous driving fleets.

As we start seeing more of our test vehicles being hybrid or electric it has gotten us really thinking about the importance of how these vehicles work with our current lifestyle, our needs, and the infrastructures we have in place to support them. Starting at only $24,299 CND for the hybrid and going up to $35,649 CND for the all-electric model shows the importance of selecting the vehicle that will best represent your driving needs. Having the opportunity to test both the fully electric and the electric plus IONIQ really showed us how one size does not fit all.

In the end, for us, we were not as comfortable driving without having the familiarity of gasoline as a backup. That’s not to say we couldn’t see the value in the all-electric option, and easily can envision what that driver might look like. I’m sure the ideal candidate would live in a more urban setting with shorter commute times and increased access to rapid charging stations or they might be a more senior member of society who just needs to do errands around town, and is on a more fixed income unable to adjust to rising fuel costs. However, in our situation living in the far outskirts of Vancouver and having to commute all over the valley brought up challenges we felt that the IONIQ Electric Plus was more equipped to handle compared to the just electric option. For example, after a day of driving with a few hours on the road, our poor battery would be completely drained and we would be just starting to dip into the reserve gasoline system, but this was okay as the alternative was to be stuck on the road without any power or a charger in sight…(which almost happened to one of our writers)

The fuel savings alone was enough to make our team pause in interest. With the amount of driving, we do an even moderately fuel-efficient vehicle will easily be $50 a week with today’s record gas prices in Vancouver. With the Hyundai IONIQ Electric Plus, we barely put $20 in for the whole two-week test drive, due to being able to plug the vehicle in each night and start each day fresh with a full battery. So regardless of our feelings on how comfortable we are to changing and using this technology, from an environmental and economic standpoint, it is getting increasingly ridiculous to think that we will keep using fossil fuels when the alternatives are right in front of our face.

Key Features:

  • Starting at $24,299 CND
  • Electric 200 km on a single charge
    • Charging times: 24hours @ 120v, 4.5hours @ 240v, 35 mins @480v
  • Electric Plus 47Km on electric power then 4.1L/100Km Hybrid
    • Charging times: To be Announced @ 120v, 2.25hours @ 240v
  • Hybrid 1000Km on a single tank of gas (Best-in-class 4.1L/100Km combined fuel efficiency)
  • 5-year/100,000 Km Comprehensive Limited Warranty
  • 8 YEAR/160,000 Km Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid System
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