Wednesday 10th March 2021

Hyundai Kona N first look

Third model in the N range looks to pick up where i30 and i20 left off; it won't be for the shy...

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For a performance sub-division only launched four years ago, Hyundai N has already established itself as a brand worthy of enthusiast recognition. The i30 hit the mark right from the off, bundling fun and value together in great hot hatch package; more of the same looks set to follow in the i20, given what we know thus far. Now Hyundai N faces arguably its toughest test yet: making a proper fast car out of a compact SUV. Where Nissan struggled, so few others have tried and only Ford has made something decent, Hyundai will enter battle with the Kona N.

These teaser images are the first we've seen of the car without any disguise, revealing a few N trademarks - the triangular brake light, chunky twin exhausts and red accents - as well as a few unique to the Kona, including Audi-esque intakes at the front of the bonnet and a prominent main grille. Hyundai says the Kona N has an "aggressive, powerful appearance." Other points of note from these images include the large alloys and i30-aping rear spoiler. Even without the badges, and even in the dark, it would be clear this apple hasn't fallen far from the Hyundai N tree.

It's asserted in the latest release that the Kona will "combine the driving fun of a Hyundai N model with the comfort and convenience of an SUV." Nobody needs reminding of the unabating demand for fast 4x4s, so the business case is plain to see. Whether the Kona N will stack up as a performance car, however, remains to be seen. While the Puma ST is very good, there's no escaping how stiff it has been made to ensure it's good fun - and the Kona seemed cut from similar cloth when we drove the prototype earlier this year. Still, if enough people like the styling, Hyundai could be onto a winner either way. Expect to see the full reveal before the month is out...

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• Hyundai Kona N prototype | UK Review
• Hyundai i20 N prototype | PH Review
• Hyundai i30 N | PH Used Buying Guide

[Augustus Windsock]

Konan N: the Barbarian?
I wonder how many quips alluding to this will be drawn in the road muck on the tailgate of one of these?
Serious note though is that it will be interesting to see how this stacks up against its rivals

[supacool1]

Damm those exhausts look huge!

[McRors]

It looks decent and certainly better than the frog faced Puma. With Hyundai’s excellent 5 year warranty and general reliability I expect this to do very well indeed. I’m looking forward to i20n and might decide between that and this Kona, price depending, of course.

[HazzaT]

Yet another Haldex AWD crossover with high 200s BHP and a dual clutch auto. How many of these do we actually need again?

[Andy665]

My OH loves her "pointless" SUV but wishes it was more fun to drive, this could be the answer. I'm all for people having more choice

[HazzaT]

Andy665 said:

My OH loves her "pointless" SUV but wishes it was more fun to drive, this could be the answer. I'm all for people having more choice

Is it choice if they're all the same?

[TheOrangePeril]

[RumbleOfThunder]

Again I think people, including the writer, think this is a "big 4x4". It's basically a taller i20 and therefore doubt it will be 4x4 either. It will be cracking to drive though.

[SidewaysSi]

What a great package the Konan is/has.

[DanielSan]

One of the better looming variants in this sector. Personally I'd just buy the i30N though.

[Water Fairy]

supacool1 said:

Damm those exhausts look huge!

At least there's only 2 of them

[STrich]

I could be wrong, but I thought I read elsewhere that this will be FWD only

[RumbleOfThunder]

STrich said:

I could be wrong, but I thought I read elsewhere that this will be FWD only

It will be.

[Martyn76]

RumbleOfThunder said:

STrich said:

I could be wrong, but I thought I read elsewhere that this will be FWD only

It will be.

The prototype drive\review says it is FWD not 4x4 as mentioned in this piece

[macky17]

Martyn76 said:

RumbleOfThunder said:

STrich said:

I could be wrong, but I thought I read elsewhere that this will be FWD only

It will be.

The prototype drive\review says it is FWD not 4x4 as mentioned in this piece

Why anyone buys a fwd 4x4 lookalike confounds me. Next.

[PH_77]

Pistonheads said:

Nobody needs reminding of the unabating demand for fast 4x4s, so the business case is plain to see.

Except as others have said, this is not a 4x4. So what is the business case? Too much power and not enough traction? Higher centre of gravity than the other offerings?

I guess the bigger exhaust tips make everything OK though.

[Roger Irrelevant]

PH_77 said:

Except as others have said, this is not a 4x4. So what is the business case?

That lots of people are likely to buy it. Because people who care deeply about things like the height of a car's centre of gravity or which wheels are driven make up a very small proportion of the car buying public.

[RumbleOfThunder]

macky17 said:

Why anyone buys a fwd 4x4 lookalike confounds me. Next.

Well it's not a 4x4 lookalike is it? It's a modest sized hot hatch for people who want a bit more space and practicallity.

[7n8n]

macky17 said:

Why anyone buys a fwd 4x4 lookalike confounds me. Next.

It's not that confounding. People buy these cars because they are more suitable for young families. They don't buy them for better grip in the snow.

[Sion111R]

From what I can see from these photos it looks spot on. Hyundai are really moving upwards and onwards at speed and have competitive and attractive offerings in many sectors these days. Their pending new electric vehicle looks fantastic from what I have seen.