As we advance into 2022, Hyundai is a brand you most definitely want to keep an eye on. Not only because they’re releasing some very cool products - including the funky Kona N you see here -- but because they are in the midst of a branding evolution. It should come as no surprise that a big part of that is their Ioniq EV program, now officially underway here with the debut of the Ioniq 5.
Photo: D.Heyman 2022 Hyundai Kona N, interior Inside, the N love continues with special N sport seats, Performance Blue detailing on the seats, gearlever and the two wheel-mounted N mode buttons as well as a big red button there with “NGR” stamped on it. That stands for the whatever-you-say “N Grin Shift” system, which provides a 10-hp boost for 20 seconds once pressed.
Photo: D.Heyman 2022 Hyundai Kona N, NGS button Speaking of modifiable: there are several pre-baked powertrain and chassis modes, but you can also customize your own mode and map those profiles to the two N buttons on the wheel, just like you would in a BMW X3M, for example. Personally, I liked a Sport throttle with a slightly relaxed chassis, as it provides the comfortable ride you’d expect from a crossover, but with some nice added punch when it came time to dip the throttle.
The brakes have also been enlarged and pad material improved so you’re well-covered on the deceleration side of things as well.