Hyundai Kona N-Line Executive test: a place in the sun

After 4 years in the Korean manufacturer's range, the smallest Hyundai SUV (now backed by the Bayon) quickly became one of the bestsellers in the range with no less than 310,000 units sold worldwide for the only year 2020. Not content with that, it is in 32nd place in the ranking of the 100 best-selling cars in the world for the same year, with unbearable insolence since it even allows itself the luxury of improving its sales of 4% compared to the previous year, in an economic context strewn with pitfalls to say the least. The recipe is simple, the most competitive price / equipment positioning, a nice face, a size suitable for almost all markets and a range of the most complete engines: gasoline, diesel, hybrid and even electric.. Product news level, the Kona is however stealing the show in 2021 against 3 other SUVs: Bayon, Tucson & Ioniq5 (yes yes, it's an SUV). What better way to stay in the race than a mid-career restyling? The latter, which took place at the start of the year, also welcomes a new N-Line finish, which is finally arriving in your dealerships this fall. This is the version we are trying today.

Unique offer 

In the same way as the i30 fastback N-Line, the Kona in its eponymous finish is only available with a single engine. Thus, like all the rest of the so-called “thermal” range, the Kona N-Line incorporates a 48V micro-hybridization and is therefore available with the 3-cylinder 1.0 L T-GDi gasoline house, developing 120 hp and associated with a manual gearbox. 6-speed. From here I can see the frustration on your faces facing such an uninhibited look, all the more so when you know that with an almost identical look, the Kona can house the engine of the i30 N under its hood. , a 2.0 L 4-cylinder petrol engine developing a trifle of 280 hp. We thus find across the Rhine a strong “N” range of 3 models: the i30 facelift (available in hatchback as in fastback), the Kona, as well as the i20. Of the 3, only the last one is available in the hexagon, rules for calculating the penalty oblige. After this feeling of bitterness, it's time to dwell on this new Kona N-Line. Note that two levels of equipment associated with this finish are available. The range breaks down as follows:

• Intuitive
• Business
• Creative (N-Line compatible)
• Executive (compatible N-Line)

At € 26,400 (N-Line Creative) and € 29,450 (N-Line Executive) respectively, we are entitled to expect a bloated level of equipment and rest assured, you will get your money's worth, especially that Hyundai's policy in terms of options is almost non-existent: there are none other than the color, the contrasting rear roof and the sunroof. If you want additional equipment, you have to go through the next level of finishing. In addition to the body kit, the N-Line Creative finish incorporates full LED lighting front and rear, a digital instrumentation unit (10.25-inch screen), assistance with maintaining and following in the lane, the emergency braking, reversing camera, automatic lights / wipers, head-up display and a multimedia system with an 8-inch screen and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto compatibility. For an additional € 3,000, you get the front parking aid, a 10.25-inch central multimedia screen integrating Bluelink & Hyundai Live connected services (for 5 years), electric / heated / ventilated seats, a wireless charger wire for smartphones and finally the Krell audio system.

Sporty touches 

Suffice to say that style side, the designers of Hyundai did not go dead hand. The N-Line body kit combined with a dapper color like the Ignite Red of our test model gives the Kona a definite presence on the road that is to be assumed. Lovers of discretion go your way. With such plastic, we would also expect cannon accelerations and monumental explosions when lifting the foot, this will obviously not be the case. If the production Kona shines with a design that divides, the Kona N-Line drives the point home. The bumpers are painted in the body color with a few touches of lacquered black to recall the color of the roof, the honeycomb grille hosts the “N-Line” logo in the German style, there are three false air inlets in front of the bonnet which mimic those found on some vehicles in the Audi range, the C-pillar reveals a protruding edge and an imposing dummy diffuser covers the rear part. In short, it is overflowing everywhere, hyundai has gone through with its idea and for my part, I really like the result, even if it risks aging very badly.

Inside, there are also plenty of sporty touches. There are thus red stitching on the steering wheel, the gear lever gaiter and the fabric / alcantara seats. The 3-spoke steering wheel marked with the N is dressed in perforated leather, the air vents also adopt a little touch of red and finally, the icing on the cake, the gear lever knob seems in every way identical to the one that the 'we find on board the i20 N. The Kona N-Line also accommodates several driving modes, including a Sport which, when activated, tints the bottom of the meters in red and…. that is just about everything. Do not wait for a particular transformation of the 3 cylinders. On the ergonomic side, the Kona ranks rather among the good students of the category with still a good part of the physical keys and shortcuts, including in particular the air conditioning control or that of the seats. The Kona is an example for me in this area by skillfully combining modern display and practical instrumentation. No need to scroll 5 menus on the central screen to access a feature.

On the road: voluntary but no miracle

With all the same 1340 kg empty on the scale, the 120 hp constitute for the Kona N-Line the bare minimum to get by without incident on the secondary network and expressways. Comfortably installed in the seats with impeccable lateral support, we tell ourselves that we will have a good time at the wheel of this Kona and even if the performance delivered is not top notch, I think I am right about the rest. Most of this test is carried out on the Alsatian secondary network, with winding roads, some relief and asphalt in fairly good condition. When accelerating, a small disappointment, you have to push high in the turns to obtain the necessary recovery to start out of the village or turn. The characteristic sound of the 3 cylinders is then rather present, so far nothing abnormal. It will turn out to be more discreet at medium pace. The handling of the gear lever is rather pleasant with an average travel and excellent locking of gears. The only downside is a very high skating point perched with an impression of a clutch that sticks: I find myself re-accelerating several times a few tenths of a second with the right pedal fully raised but the gear not yet returned, perhaps Is it due to the running-in, our copy then having barely 300 kms on the clock. The feeling in the steering on small roads is rather faithful, even if the level of filtration remains high. The handling of the steering is direct, perhaps a little too much on the fast lane where the slightest movement of the steering wheel is immediately felt. Damping side, no miracle with 18-inch rims, having already found it firm in my previous tests with 17 inch rims. Beware of imperfections on the road where your back and those of your passengers will suffer. Be careful also when approaching the many backs of donkeys in our country. The behavior of the Kona N-Line turns out to be the healthiest, not too clumsy, rather communicative and filtered as necessary to maintain a certain level of comfort (hearing included), it is part of my taste of the references of the segment. In short, the copy delivered is of a good standard, but does not stand out particularly against very sharp competition. Consumption soars quickly if you regularly use the mechanics, it is very easy to exceed 7.0 L / 100 kms (we even observed an average of 9.1 L in the Vosges, with 3 people on board & their luggage).

Keep your lead 

Hyundai did not need to revolutionize any of its flagship products for its restyling. It is selling well and the Korean brand intends to continue on that launched by offering one of the widest range of possibilities on the market for a compact SUV, both in terms of finishes and the choice of engines. The N-Line finish representing more than 30% of sales in France in 2020/21, it would have been a shame not to share it with the Kona, which in my opinion adopts the panoply with brio. Only the rambling leaves us without our hunger as the 1.5 L T-GDi 48V 160 hp available under the hood of the i30 could have gone well with the small SUV, not to mention of course the N version itself that I have already got out of my mind to avoid hurting myself. At any rate,

Some numbers 

Dimensions: 4205x1800x1565
Empty weight: 1340 kg Boot
volume: 361 L
Fuel tank volume: 50 L
Advertised combined consumption (WLTP): 6.1 L / 100 kms (7.0 L observed in road use, 9.1 L in dynamic use)
Average CO2 rejection announced ( WLTP): 139 gCO2 / km
Displacement: 998 cc
Max power: 120 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 172 Nm at 1,500 rpm
Max speed: 180 km / h
0 to 100 km / h: 11.9 seconds