OSV's video: Hyundai Kona N 2022 Review - Hottest Performance SUV

BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A HYUNDAI KONA N FROM OSV: https://bit.ly/3BfQ10J It's rare to find a really powerful small SUV with all its power directed through its front wheels, but that's what we have here in the rather dynamic shape of Hyundai's Kona N. Ford's Puma ST is the only other class contender that takes a similar approach, but this fast Kona also has in its sights 4WD segment performance models like the Audi SQ2 and the Volkswagen T-Roc R. With 280PS on tap and a track tamed team behind this Hyundai, the prospects are intriguing. TIMESTAMPS 00:00​​​​ Introduction 00:46 Background 01:52 Driving Experience 05:37 Design & Build 12:34 Market & Model Range 15:01 Cost of Ownership 16:42 Summary Background You need a really clever set of engineers to be able to take a high-sided small SUV, give it a really powerful engine and deliver really engaging drive dynamics. Especially if all the power is to be directed through the front wheels. You'd expect Ford to be able to deliver such a thing - and the Blue Oval brand has with the Puma ST. But that only offers 200PS. Until the arrival of this Kona N, if you wanted more than that in a car of this sort, you had to stretch to around £40,000 and get models like the Audi SQ2 and the Volkswagen T-Roc R, which both need 4WD to get around 300PS to the tarmac. Ex-BMW M car engineer Albert Biermann and his team - the people who brought you the surprising Hyundai i30 N hot hatch - reckoned they could deliver a small front driven performance SUV to plug the gap between those two categories of compact performance crossover. The Kona N is it. Driving Experience With this wild variant, much is borrowed from Hyundai's well-regarded i30 N hot hatch, including that car's 2.0-litre T-GDi turbo petrol unit, in this case tuned to 280PS. Obvious rivals like Audi's SQ2 and Volkswagen's T-Roc R believe 4WD is necessary to control that kind of output, but the Kona N directs it through its front wheels via an 8-speed DCT paddleshift auto gearbox that incorporates Launch Control, so will (in dry conditions) fire you to 62mph in just 5.5s. On the way to 149mph. All to the rorty melody of the standard Active Exhaust. Thanks to Electronic Controlled Suspension, the Kona N driver can influence the stiffness of the suspension with the push of a button to optimise the vehicle's response for a variety of driving situations. Plus the car's Electronic Stability Control can be turned to 'OFF' to allow experienced drivers to use the full array of this car's abilities without restrictions. There are also lots of fun tools for Kona N drivers to play with. An 'N Grin Shift' system maximises engine and DCT performance with a 20 second boost, an 'N Track Sense Shift' set-up optimises gearshifts for racetrack driving and 'N Corner Carving Differential' provides an Electronically-controlled Limited Slip Differential that allows the wheels to turn at different speeds by applying different amounts of torque, reducing understeer during fast cornering. Design and Build The exterior design features body-coloured design elements with N-exclusive red accents. At the front, there are large air openings that fulfil the cooling needs of the powerful N-tuned engine. The front splitter of the bumper has been increased in size by 10mm to improve aerodynamic drag and balance. A lowered ride-height, N-exclusive alloy wheels in a dark satin finish, red brake calipers and exclusive side sills in red all feature too. At the rear, the large, double-wing roof spoiler dominates the view, alongside a triangular third brake light. Lower down on the rear bumper, a large diffuser enhances the airflow departure and minimises turbulence. Plus its red accent line and two large exhaust mufflers aim to further emphasise the performance spirit. **CAR REVIEW PLAYLISTS** ► New Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myaZiV ► Behind the Wheel: https://bit.ly/35JuUo7 ► Highlight Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/35N1Wnx ► Electric Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TAqjPK ► Short Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2HHlJMS ► Hatchback Reviews: https://bit.ly/3mKNAen ► SUV & 4X4 Reviews: https://bit.ly/37Verjt ► Saloon Reviews: https://bit.ly/37QrbrD ► City Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3jDzBVI ► Estate Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kDflog ► Sports Car and Coupe Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TwkzXb ► MPV Reviews: https://bit.ly/3e7114S ► Van Reviews: https://bit.ly/31QWcb4 ► Business Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kGZncN ► Family Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myLaiy **FOLLOW OSV ON** ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OSVLtd/ ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/osvmotoringnews ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osvltd/