I use to have a 2019 Volkswagen GTI pure white DSG, almost traded for a Veloster N because it seemed like it would be a fitting upgrade. I was wrong, I waited a year and got myself a 2023 Hyundai Kona N in racing red, I can honestly say the Hyundai Kona N is a very fun CUV/Hot Hatch. In N mode the suspension can seem a little bit stiff but also feels very planted and connected with the road. Interior feels a little cheap but the leather wrapped steering wheel and sport bucket seats as well as the driving experience makes up for it. The exhaust note is very entertaining as well and sounds insane considering you get a crackle tune straight from the factory.

Thanks for the great video! I drive the Kona N myself and can attest to driving around with a grin on your face. Especially when other drivers don't know the Kona N and mercilessly underestimate it. smile =) But he also has a few little quirks that you should know about. 1. High fuel consumption. But anyone who buys such a car should have expected it. 2. He rattles at the rear on bumps. This is annoying in the long run and I'm still looking for a solution to fix it. 3. The suspension is very hard even in the softest mode. You have to like that, comfortable is something else. 4. There is a lot of plastic installed. But it is well installed, it creaks only a little and everything makes a good impression. 5. Very little space for rear seat passengers. If you are mostly alone as a couple or with children, it is not a problem. The trunk is very easy to load and unload and is completely sufficient for normal shopping. I wish you a good trip!

Such a dope CUV; I *heavily* considered it after enjoying driving it but need more space for my two long-legged teenagers plus love a pano roof, so I’m leasing a Sonata N-Line, but otherwise I would’ve definitely grabbed one. It reminds me of the first-gen GLA AMG, although not as aggressive, but really on the cusp of it - Hyundai’s gotta winner there.

Wow, one of my fave reviewers finally reviewing my car! Thanks Miles!

this thing is cool but I could never see myself in a CUV. Just love sedans and coupes so much more.

@moistydoooood

Жыл бұрын

nobody asked

@apexcobra.official

Жыл бұрын

I was always in the same boat, but ended up moving into one of these for practicality. Lots of hunting, fishing, camping, road trips, etc, and it was impossible for my coupes and even sedans to handle all of those duties how I wanted. I can fold one of the seats down in this, load the back with all of my gear, throw my kayak on the roof, and pack my wife and kid in as well... Having fun the whole time! If I had extra space, ideally I'd have a sports coupe and a truck, but as a 1 car solution, these fit the bill for me the best and check the most boxes... And let me have tons of fun while doing it!

@Grimesitty

Жыл бұрын

@@apexcobra.official dude SAME! All of the above. I'm trading in my Honda fit tomorrow for a 23 Kona N and am so stoked!

@J_Smax

8 ай бұрын

@@apexcobra.officialyou have the Kona and do all of that?? I’m considering the Kona N but just don’t know if there’s enough room as I hunt and fish as well.

@apexcobra.official

8 ай бұрын

@ithinknot2205 Yeah. If I fold the rear seats down, it has plenty of room for everything I do. You can fit a full size air mattress back there even. I've fit a ton of stuff back there. I've done road trips across the country with 5 people and gear. Don't get me wrong, it isn't a big car, but it's been able to do everything I ask of it, and I do a LOT. Would it be nice to have more space, sure, but then I'd need a bigger car... But there aren't any bigger cars that are as fun or do what the Kona N can do without spending a lot more money. I legit love this thing and I've had some pretty badass cars before this.

Coming from my Veloster N that was sadly totaled when somebody blew a stop sign and hit me, I really like my Kona N. It's not quite as aggressive looking, but having 4 functioning doors is nice and the seats are a bit more comfortable. They're definitely different beasts but I love them both

One of the best car reviewers in the game.

@MilesPerHr

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the support!

I have a Stinger GT and an Abarth 500. Both hatchbacks. I think the Kona N would be a good replacement for my Fiat when I get there. AWD is preferable where I live in Portland. But, front wheel drive with the right tires is doable. Great review!

Ive had 20+ cars the last 10 years including stuff like a 124 Spider Abarth, 500 Abarth, 18 Mustang GT, GTIs, Subaru Crosstrek and outbacks etc. I now have a Kona N to go with my Bronco and this little thing is a blast. I wish it had a manual but the DCT is shockingly good and it outright rips for what it is lol. Highly recommended if you can only have one car.

@CapELarry

Жыл бұрын

Ha! I used to have a mustang GT and now have a Kona N in the garage. My manual bronco shipped last week as well!

@thabrownieviking

Жыл бұрын

@@CapELarry dang 😎 you also have good taste lol

@j_merlotte5467

Жыл бұрын

What a great garage - SUV that can do anything, and then cheaper fun car that doesn't take itself seriously.

Hyundai came a long way. 👍

I should also add these do not make the advertised power until the ECU has performed an octane learning process. It's shown in the owners manual and it's kind of a pain you have to do it everytime you fill up. Supposedly 20ish hp and 30ish torque once it's learned, you can tell as it will hit 18-19 psi learned 15-16 unlearned.

I love the Kona N but I’ll keep on trucking in my 111,000 mile Veloster N😂

@MilesPerHr

Жыл бұрын

Dannng, you're putting in work on that Veloster N!

@KonaNthusiast

Жыл бұрын

lol I’ve got 43k already on my Kona N

@joseswave7112

Жыл бұрын

Have you had any major problems with your Veloster so far?

For a family man with age the Kona is a better fit as you don't have to climb in the car on the ground. Also for a mini suv type of car the performance is a lot of fun. Its also a head turner especially in N mode haha

Just washed and detailed my 23 KN. Absolutely love the car.

@MattGarcyaDC

Жыл бұрын

How's the road noise and suspension

@steveturnbull9542

8 ай бұрын

@@MattGarcyaDC depends on tyres for the noise, got my winters on and quieter than the p-zero's. Suspension depends what you are coming from, For my history ride is not bad at all.

Thank you for comparing the CX-30 Turbo, as someone who owns a 22 cx30 turbo and my brother has the Kona N its a great comparison. i have a jb4 tune and intake on my cx30 and i can beat the kona on a launch but not on rolls or top speed as my limiter is 129. Great cars i do wish the kona N was mine haha im a mazda guy though

@MilesPerHr

Жыл бұрын

They're definitely vehicles to cross-shop if you're eyeing this segment.

@Grimesitty

Жыл бұрын

My girlfriend has a 23 Mazda CX-30 and now I'm picking up a 23 Kona N, hers isn't turbo though unfortunately 😂

@bretth1558

Жыл бұрын

@@Grimesitty Nice! thats sweet congrats you will totally enjoy the Kona N! ill be honest even though i love the interior and bose system in my mazda ill likely end up in the kona N in a couple years. I fell in love with mazda for the interior and sound dynamics of it but im a boost head so once i drove the kona it swayed me

@bretth1558

Жыл бұрын

@@Grimesitty I would suggest looking into a tune after you've had it for a bit, really brings it to life and it would then smoke my car and a lot of V8's on the road. I hang with scats and 5.0s on digs so having that extra power in the kona will be helpful considering it nearly beats me stock lol.

@Grimesitty

Жыл бұрын

@@bretth1558 hands down the boost in the Kona Jesus Murphy lol, I picked it up today and I drove around all night, already have 150km on the OD, I'll def looking into a tune over the next few years, I want to try and put a carbon fibre hood on it this summer, I think it would look unreal as my Kona N is black

Can you do some snow drives with the recent snow fall in LA and Orange County that would be 🔥

Good review, one thing I have to mention however, that blue is still available this year and the red was available last year and is also available this year,

@MilesPerHr

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the note!

So, I've destroyed both my knees, and my left knee is such that using the clutch is getting to be more difficult, as is the acrobatics of getting in and out of a low sports car. If it wasn't for that, I would be all over the GR Corolla. But, because of that, it's the Kona N for me! I was tempted to get the Veloster a year or so ago, but I would've gone manual, so I'm glad I waited and am getting the "old man who's not ready to be old yet" version. In fact, I'm going to the dealership to put some money on one of the last ones available today! It's not too much longer that cars like this will be available...

@wbwayne8887

3 ай бұрын

I also drive manual and a while back fractured my left ankle. I couldn't drive my car for 3 mos. Made me really start thinking about my next vehicle and a DCT is the next best engaging thing to a manual. N models are firmly on my radar as a result, especially pre-owned. I am also 51, and definitely not getting any younger, so the extra ground clearance is definitely a daily driver benefit. Just wish the US market Kona N was equipped with adaptive cruise and a sunroof.

@intensity33

3 ай бұрын

@@wbwayne8887 I don't know how important adaptive cruise control or a sunroof are for you, but those sound like features that you won't miss once you get used to life without them. There is a ton of other technology that you can set to your exact preferences, and the car can transform to whatever mood you're feeling. After 8 months of ownership, I still love driving it everyday, and always turn around to give it a second or third glance after I park. My only complaint is potential reliability issues, but most new cars are struggling with this given all the technology and such. I've had one sensor freak out during -40C weather, but, that aside, the car is perfect.

Why’s the American 2023/2022 model got less features than the Uk 2022 model? My dads car has rear heated outer seats and ventilation front two seats.

i admire the performance in this kona, as well as the reconfigurable digital gauge cluster. i also love the huge exhaust outlets and the massive diffuser, but the exterior styling is not for me. i would probably just go with a GR corolla or a civic type r.

@davidwales9657

Жыл бұрын

its a shame you miss out on the i30N hatch in the US

@ApexClubRacer

Жыл бұрын

For the price differences, no thanks. And I’m not even factoring in the inevitable dealer markups. You can pick these up for msrp or less in most markets.

@ASecureLab

Жыл бұрын

GR corolla and type R are double the price though... So not worth it for pretty much the same thing. I love the Kona N in lbue, it looks great, just wish the interior materials werent so cheap... but thats a hyundai and low cost car

@ASecureLab

Жыл бұрын

@@ApexClubRacer exactly, makes me laught some people buys type R... at this price point you can get a new MB 45 AMG or any luxury brand top sport cars which are tons more car thanthe type r. Type R is a competitor to the N models but its gets destroyed in all department price wise exept for interior materials and manual shifter feel (but thats a non issue with easy mods)

Few differences from USA spec to UK, Driver only gets 1 touch window, Heated and cooled power seats for both front seats, heated steering wheel, auto stop/start (to save fuel 🤔)and our mirrors do power fold.

my only gripe/worry are those specialized cv/ball joint axles...and potential cost/to replace as well as how well/long theyll hold up to teh TORTURES of ideally driving the snot out of these N cars...its clearly a main contributing factor to the torque steer...yet its definitely one of the main appeals of driving this sort of BUILD/car that steering/translation and the big breaks for break stabbing into corners for weight trasnsfer/management in sweepers etc....definitely these Ns are going to offer a "rare" senseation/experience from this aspect that other builds/trims options just wont be able to copy/translate w.o those cv/axles. Also those roads XD i knew they were familiar....thats my canyon/toll road XD I knew that canyon was familiar but your closing shot sealed it when i saw the 241/5fwy ramp.

@ApexClubRacer

Жыл бұрын

Kona N does not have the proprietary all-in-one knuckle-axle that the Elantra N gets. Brake parts are also cheaper on the Kona N

i ain’t going to lie. i just subscribed to your channel and realize you didn’t talk in some of the vids in the past. can you make another video on the jeep gladiator so i can have good opinion on if i should get it or not 😂😂

I just wish it had the N Racing Bucket seats

Just got one. Love it!

Best suv in it's class by far. Nobody else ventured to turn an suv into a semi-hot-hatch speed demon

Only if it had awd and sunroof

Watched this before, came back to watch it again. I've owned a Kona N since June of 2022, currently at 36k miles and climbing. N75 Stage 2 ECU, plugs, intake / inlet, BOV, RMM bushing, resonator delete, Yokohama Advan Neova AD09s, etc. For me, this was my one car solution. GR Corolla wasn't available at the time of purchase; I also didn't want a manual. CX-30's performance is "meh" at best, nice car, but a boring car. Type Rs etc were too expensive, especially with markup. I drove several GTIs, and was more or less underwhelmed. Nice cars, but just lacked the fun, character, and performance feel of the Kona N. Golf R would be a great comparison / upgrade, a little faster, AWD, etc, but 13k more expensive assuming you're getting one without a markup. When I was shopping, the cheapest one I could find was 55k + tax, title, tag. Hard no on that. I've had 0 issues whatsoever with my Kona N, and have done multiple road trips across the country, have done several trips to Cherohala Skyway / Tail of the Dragon and other "sporty" roads, and there hasn't been a single vehicle on any of them that was able to outpace me, including an AMG GT, GT350R Mustang, and plenty of other more prestigious / formidable vehicles. Obviously those cars on a real track would decimate a Kona N, even modified, but with upgrades and good tires, the Kona N will absolutely exceed the limits of what a driver can do (safely) on a public road, all while being a practical vehicle that gets just about everything done (with a few comprimises, of course). The Kona N has doubled as my sporting toy, my hunting / fishing / road tripping vehicle, camping rig, etc. I've had 5 people ( 3 grown men all over 6ft, my wife, and child) a spare tire, and our gear on an 18 hour road trip, no issues whatsoever. I absolutely love this car, but sadly I plan to get a new vehicle around 60k miles, which will be coming up this year. Not sure which route I'm going to go; possibly MK8.5 Golf R, BMW X1 / X2 M35i, GLA 45 AMG, something along those lines. I'm even considering getting another Kona N since the value on the used market is incredible, I could get one with under 10k miles for half the cost of any of the above listed vehicles, and with the mods I have on my current car swapped over, it will easily compete with if not outpace any of them... To sum it up, Kona Ns are absolutely, incredibly awesome cars if you value sporty / enthusiastic driving over anything else and don't want to spend a ton of money.

Can you do a video on the new mercedes glc ? Preferably the 300 4matic. The non plug in / diesel version? 😀 great video btw, thanks for posting..

I like the look of the Kona N. It's much more attractive then the normal Kona. I do think Veloster and Elantra N look much nicer then the Kona N tho.

best car at any price

Currently I’m stuck between this and a Mk8 GTI. I had a Mk6 GTI so on one hand, I’m familiar with VW and what that experiment is like. I still think a GTI does more things better than pretty much any other car. However, I am very attracted by the rawness of N products and something like a Kona N still offer pretty much all the practicality of a GTI with some more spice. My only concern is the ride since the roads are really bad around where I live. If anyone has driver both and can give a good comparison I’d appreciate it!

@CapFlipGaming

Жыл бұрын

Mk8 GTI just has such a horrible infotainment setup. I couldn't use that daily.

@glubibobi

Жыл бұрын

@@CapFlipGaming I recently test drove one and while it's not as intuitive as I'd like it to be, I did't think is was as bad as most people make it out to be. My biggest complaint is that everything is controlled through the screen. I wish there were at least dedicated hvac controls but otherwise it was fine after even just messing around for a couple of minutes. I thought I was going to hate the touch buttons on the steering wheel, and while normal buttons would still be better, I found it hard to accidentally press stuff.

@steveturnbull9542

8 ай бұрын

I daily drive a Kona N with no problem.

Great video!

Did you do the octane learning before you timed it?

I much prefer the i30 N and the little I20 N we get in the UK. The Kona N has some appeal, but I can't get past the looks.

Kinda sucks that it’s an Auto. Would’ve been cool to see a manual SUV.

@alwwqe

Жыл бұрын

I know right

I wish it had a HUD

@LEVI-rs8vc

Жыл бұрын

Canadian version has it. I have it on mine

@JackiePrime

Жыл бұрын

I have it on mine in Australia

Why u didn't do revs part any more The exhaust sound from outside the car is very important

@MilesPerHr

Жыл бұрын

That was part of my long form in-depth reviews, but I still feature exhaust sound in my short form content on each car (TikTok and IG - @milesperhr)

@AnshidSalman

Жыл бұрын

​@@MilesPerHr could you please also upload those same vids as shorts here on yt for those of us who aren't on either of those platforms?

try rezvani vengeance please 🙏

😭 I bought the mx5 over this and it was a very hard decision make

@MilesPerHr

Жыл бұрын

Miata is always the answer 😉

@CapFlipGaming

Жыл бұрын

I have an MX5 as well. I think my wife would certainly rather me have a Kona N though lol.

@paulklp8262

Жыл бұрын

I own an MX5 but will buy a Kona this year.

@oraclemiata845

Жыл бұрын

I own both. Both fun drivers cars. People will go on and on about the CTR and the GRC, but the KN is 90% as fun at 75% the cost.

I'd buy one if the ride wasn't so bouncy

Pretty Communicative.

I love mine!

I know everyone is all over the Type R which is a precision weapon but this looks less serious, more wild and fun. 😆 I'd probably buy the GR Corolla for its AWD, small hot hatch size and Toyota reliability

It’s really too bad this car only got 2 model years.

The Elantra N is better. Just as fast and handles way better.

@oraclemiata845

Ай бұрын

And yet the Kona is quicker around several tracks…

I drove one too. I loved it, however since my lease is ending next year, I’m getting the Kona ev instead

Veloster N or Elantra N

@apexcobra.official

Жыл бұрын

Elantra N unless you really like the hatch setup. If the Veloster N got 4 doors instead of 3, and the bigger turbo from the EN/KN, and an interior update, I'd probably go with the VN.

Just got a Kona N. Fukking love it. Lol money well spent.

@louiedoee

6 ай бұрын

You ain’t got the money for a car 💀 stop lying

@louiedoee

6 ай бұрын

0-60 in 5 business days 😂 bruh my Elantra beats it 😮‍💨

@zc1425

6 ай бұрын

@@louiedoeewhy are you hating hard af lol

He don't know about Kona N's real performance. Why? Kona made for track. Mazda? Neh..

11:19 The P-Zeros that are included are TRASH. Also, you did your launch incorrectly. LC -> Active -> Launch -> 2nd Gear -> NGS NOW You're wasting NGS in first. Also you need to make sure you have done the Octane Learning to get max boost.

@carloscervantes836

Жыл бұрын

Octane learning is such a pain song and dance, really dislike it.

Looks incredibly uncomfortable to drive. Otherwise I like it

I would never buy a Hyundai after the debacle with the Theta II engines

@mharro88

Жыл бұрын

No issue with these engines. They're the non turbos.. n cars are very reliable

The Elantra n is just better in every way

@apexcobra.official

Жыл бұрын

I drove both, and bought the Kona N. I like the Elantra N, but I think the Kona N looks better, and the hatch + folding seats gives me the ability to haul larger items. Factory roof rails and crossbars were huge for me as well. The KN seats were more comfortable for me as well. Otherwise, if you didn't need to haul a kayak, large items, etc, the EN is certainly a bit better performing if you like the styling.

@oraclemiata845

Жыл бұрын

I drove both and bought the Kona as well. But not because it’s more sensible. It’s really not, that tiny hatch is useless. I just enjoy the way it drives more then the EN. It’s just more playful and responsive. That short wheelbase is my jam.

@apexcobra.official

Жыл бұрын

@Oracle Miata Short wheelbase makes it so much fun to drive. Practicality-wise, though, with the hatch and folding down the seats, I fit things in my Kona that would never fit in the Elantra.

@paulklp8262

Жыл бұрын

​@@oraclemiata845 Only Miata drivers understand the short wheelbase appeal lol

@oraclemiata845

Жыл бұрын

@@paulklp8262 So true…

earlyy

No AWD? No point

@apexcobra.official

Жыл бұрын

Doesn't need it, unless you're overly concerned with launching, driving in the snow, or going off-roading. That being said, it can launch decently well with a motor mount and tire upgrade, and will do fine in the snow with snow tires. AWD would increase the weight, increase the cost, and reduce power to wheel efficiency making the overall performance less and reducing some of the tun factor. If they added AWD and bumped the power output up another 30hp or so, that would be neat, but that would probably bump it closer to like the Golf R price class.

I love the cars you review, but your camera movement makes me naucious, like a simulator ride. 🤮

Foreign junk Just like toyota😂