Hyundai Kona N 2021: release date this year priced from $47,500

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Hyundai has released details of the Kona N small SUV which will go on sale before October this year with prices starting from $47,500 (before on-road costs). 

When it lands the Kona N will become the second addition to the N performance brand in Australia alongside the i30 hot hatch, soon to be followed by the smaller i20 N and i30 Sedan N. 

As an SUV, Hyundai says the addition will broaden the appeal of its performance division and pitch itself to buyers who would not normally consider a hot hatch.

Powering the Kona N is a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing up to 206kW of power (or 213kW on overboost) and 392Nm of torque, and mated exclusively to an eight-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission.

With launch control activated the Kona will light up the front wheels to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds.

The fact that the Kona N is exclusively front driven is a deliberate move according to Albert Biermann, who serves as the head of research and development at Hyundai.

“Our N story is also the best in fun-per-dollar … it is not easy to beat an N vehicle in fun-per-dollar rating, and the Kona N is clearly following that script,” he said during the reveal.

The lack of an extra two driven wheels could be a contributing factor to the low price, with rivals such as the AWD-equipped Volkswagen T-Roc likely to demand a higher premium.

Available as standard across the two grade lineup is an electro-mechanical limited slip differential to distribute torque more evenly between the front wheels and adaptive dampers to help fine tune the handling.

Sitting at each corner are 19-inch alloy wheels matched with an N-specific body kit that includes a new set of front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a small spoiler.

Moving inside, Hyundai has fitted a set of specialised front bucket seats to hold the driver in place along with more sporting touches such as a leather appointed steering wheel and alloy sports pedals.

It joins existing features seen on the regular top-trim Kona models such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a wireless charging pad.

The Kona N also includes a number of safety features that are nice to have on a daily driver including blind-spont monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, tyre pressure monitoring and much more.

Those stepping up to the Kona N Premium receive niceties such as a heads-up display, suede and leather appointed interior trim, ambient lighting and a sunroof.

Front passengers also receive heated and cooled front seats with electronic adjustability along with a heated steering wheel and front parking sensors.

Hyundai Kona N 2021: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Kona N: $47,500
• Kona N Premium: $50,500