New Models
New Models

2021 Hyundai Kona N coming soon, Australia likely – UPDATE: Spied on video at the Nurburgring

N-badged SUV to pack turbocharged heat to match its volcanic island name.


UPDATE: The 2021 Hyundai Kona N has been spied testing at the Nurburgring, wearing all the anticipated performance upgrades – and a clearly facelifted front-end look that will undoubtedly make its way to the wider Kona line-up in the months ahead.

A reveal date for the newest N model has not been announced, but Hyundai Australia has told CarAdvice today that if the Kona N does indeed exist (local offices rarely confirm a model's existence before it is revealed, unless headquarters approve the message), it will be brought to Australia.

The original story, below, is unchanged. Clearly, despite expectations of a July debut, the Kona N's big reveal is still to come.

Above: 2021 Kona N rendering by kksstudio.com


APRIL, 2020: Hyundai’s first performance SUV – the Kona N – may not be as far away as originally anticipated, according to a new report.

Online publication The Korean Car Blog claims the sporty version of the compact Kona SUV will make its Korean debut in July, powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as Australia’s i30 N.

While the hot-hatch/SUV has not been confirmed locally, Hyundai Australia has said it will be interested any N variants that become available.

"We've made no secret of the fact our focus is on building an N performance family," a Hyundai spokesperson told CarAdvice. "We will of course be studying the business case for any new N product should it become available."

Outputs for the Hyundai Kona N will reportedly be pegged at the same 202kW and 353Nm (378Nm with 'overboost' engaged) as its Performance Pack-equipped i30N hatch sibling, mated to the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that’s imminently set to launch in the US- and Korea-only Veloster N. It’s unknown whether a manual would be offered.

However, where the i30 and Veloster are front-wheel-drive, the performance Kona is rumoured to engage its rear axle for all-wheel drive, in order to improve traction and pose stronger competition to spritely small SUV rivals such as the 221kW and 400Nm Volkswagen T-Roc R and the considerably pricier 225kW and 450Nm Mini Countryman JCW.

As seen in spy shots captured last year, the N variant Kona will be differentiated by a more aggressive front and rear bumpers, larger grille, a wilder rear spoiler, dual exhaust tips, skid plates, sportier side skirts and body-coloured wheel arches compared to the standard model. Note: the render at top of story is how CarAdvice imagines the released version might look.

Also set to feature on the Kona N is a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, which hide larger brake discs with red calipers and a lowered sports suspension.

While not detailed in the report, the interior is also expected to undergo the N treatment, with changes likely to include body-hugging sports seats, N-badged steering wheel and an abundance of Alcantara and blue accents.


Below: An earlier, pre-facelift rendering of the Kona N by CarAdvice contributor Alex Misoyannis.

MORE:Hyundai Showroom
MORE:Hyundai News
MORE:Hyundai Reviews
MORE:Hyundai Kona Showroom
MORE:Hyundai Kona News
MORE:Hyundai Kona Reviews
MORE:Search Used Hyundai Kona Cars for Sale
MORE:Search Used Hyundai Cars for Sale
MORE:Hyundai Showroom
MORE:Hyundai News
MORE:Hyundai Reviews
MORE:Hyundai Kona Showroom
MORE:Hyundai Kona News
MORE:Hyundai Kona Reviews
MORE:Search Used Hyundai Kona Cars for Sale
MORE:Search Used Hyundai Cars for Sale
Alex Misoyannis

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

Read more about Alex MisoyannisLinkIcon
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent