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Hyundai Kona N SUV review
“In the Kona N, Hyundai has created another fantastic performance model - one that makes a great alternative to a Volkswagen T-Roc R”
Pros

Very quick

Lots of standard equipment

Cheaper than nearest rivals

Cons

Automatic only

Too many drive settings

i30 N is bigger and costs less
The standard Hyundai Kona isn’t our favourite car in its class but the Kona Electric is one of the best electric cars on sale. The Kona range is now even broader and better with the introduction of the Hyundai Kona N, a high-power, performance-focused model. Despite the car industry moving towards electrification, Hyundai still sees a place for fast and loud petrol cars for enthusiasts to enjoy.

The world of fast small SUVs wasn’t very heavily populated until relatively recently but now the Volkswagen T-Roc R, BMW X2 M35i, Audi SQ2 and MINI Countryman JCW are all fighting it out for supremacy. There’s also the more affordable and less powerful (but no less fun) Ford Puma ST. Hyundai has found a gap in the market directly between these cars, making the Kona N more powerful than the Ford but less expensive than all its other rivals.

The car’s 276bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine is shared with the Hyundai i30 N, as is most of the rest of the running gear. The i30 N is one of our favourite hot hatchbacks, so the recipe is a good one and sets the Kona N up well. A 0-62mph sprint can be done in 6.4 seconds, unless you engage launch control, in which case it’s just 5.5 seconds. This makes the car easily quick enough to mix with its rivals, despite the Kona N only coming with front-wheel drive.

The N buttons on the steering wheel let you increase the firmness of the suspension and sharpen the throttle response so you can corner more quickly. There’s also an NGS button that’s short for ‘N Grin Shift’, which provides an overboost function to give you short spells of extra power.
But the Kona N allows you to dial back the performance with a slightly bewildering range of driving modes (even ones for mud and snow). Sticking it in Eco or Normal will make the car feel little different to a standard Kona and the ability to calm things down suits the car’s slightly raised driving position.

The Kona N has joined the range as part of the model’s facelift, so it feels fresh and modern inside. Digital dials are standard, as is a new 10.25-inch touchscreen, while a smattering of specific badges and stitching choices elevate it above the regular Kona. The price of the N may look high compared to entry-level versions of the Kona but you get a huge amount of kit as well as the performance, such as a head-up display, a premium sound system and heated and cooled electrically adjustable seats.

While the Kona N does share its running gear with the i30 N, it’s slightly more expensive, slightly less practical and doesn’t come with the option of a manual gearbox like the i30 N does. We can’t imagine any of these will be major issues if you like the Kona’s driving position and styling, however.

MPG, running costs & CO2

The Hyundai Kona N is thirsty, just like its rivals

More often than not, the trade-off for a powerful petrol engine is poor fuel economy - and that’s exactly the case here. While the Kona Electric and hybrid models are focused on efficiency, the Kona N certainly isn’t. It’ll achieve up to 33.2mpg at a steady cruise and much less if you drive it enthusiastically. In fact, use all of the car’s performance all of the time and you could end up travelling fewer miles on a tank than you’d get from a full charge in the electric model.

Whether you pick the Kona or another fast SUV like the Volkswagen T-Roc R or BMW X2 M35i, that’s about as efficient as a performance SUV gets. However, because the Kona doesn’t breach £40,000 like many of its rivals, private buyers will only pay the standard rate of tax per year. It almost goes without saying that the Kona N will be costly to run for company-car drivers, as its 194g/km CO2 output puts it firmly in the top Benefit-in-Kind band.

Still, a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty means the Kona N should prove easy to live with. Your dealer should also be able to arrange a pay-monthly service plan to do away with unexpected bills.

Engines, drive & performance

The Kona N is one of the best hot SUVs on the market

The Hyundai i30 N was the brand’s first hot hatchback but Hyundai’s relative lack of performance-car experience meant nothing; the i30 N shot to near the top of the hot hatch class. The smaller, Ford Fiesta ST-rivalling Hyundai i20 N is also excellent, and the Korean company has done it again with the much-anticipated Kona N.

Just like the i30 N, the Kona N uses a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 276bhp. That enables a 0-62mph time of 6.4 seconds, or just 5.5 seconds if you engage launch control. In the past, launch control was reserved for supercars and sports cars but now you’ll be able to surprise people with a perfect launch in your small SUV. The Kona is only available with an eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, whereas the i30 N is also available with a manual gearbox. We’d like the option of the six-speed manual here too, as the auto gearbox sometimes struggles to find the right gear.

The Kona N comes with electronically controlled dampers and a differential as standard in the UK, which, again, would previously have been reserved for the very best performance cars. You can feel the differential working if you press the throttle down mid-corner, as the car tightens its line and doesn’t stray wide. It makes the car’s performance feel accessible and gives you confidence to drive faster.

There are also a wide range of driving modes, from Eco and Normal to Sport and even mud/snow settings but the sportiest setup is accessed by pressing one of the N buttons on the steering wheel. With N mode engaged, the suspension firms up and makes the Kona more agile through corners. A wider track (the distance between left and right wheels) helps reduce body roll to almost zero.

Another Kona N-specific feature is the NGS button on the steering wheel. Press this and you’ll get a hit of extra power (the full 286bhp) for 20 seconds. We can see it being useful for quick overtakes, where you want all the power without having to resort to scrolling through all the driver modes.

Interior & comfort

The Hyundai Kona N has a sporty feel inside and lots of equipment

Joining the range as part of the Kona’s facelift, the N benefits from Hyundai’s very latest interior design. There’s a new 10.25-inch touchscreen on top of the dashboard and a large digital instrument cluster instead of traditional dials. The N gets a sports steering wheel with the aforementioned N buttons, plus seats trimmed partly in leather and partly in Alcantara suede.

You’ll pay less for the Kona N than its main rivals but you’ll get more equipment as standard. The front seats are electrically adjustable, heated and cooled, while the outer rear seats and the steering wheel both have heating too. There’s also automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, a head-up display and a reversing camera.

Practicality & boot space

The Kona isn’t the biggest inside and the i30 N has a bigger boot

One of our bugbears with the standard Hyundai Kona is that it is far from the most spacious small SUV on sale and the N is the same in this respect. A Volkswagen T-Roc R or a MINI Countryman JCW will be more comfortable for adults in the rear seats but then you might find it’s fine if you’re not regularly bringing mates along for the ride. We’d recommend sitting in the rear seats with the driver’s seat in your position before you buy.

Many small SUVs have a surprisingly large boot - the Renault Captur offers more space than some cars in the class above - but the Kona has one of the smallest boots in the class. The N’s 361 litres isn’t terrible but the i30 N offers more rear-seat and luggage space for a lower price.

Reliability and safety

A five-star safety score and glowing customer satisfaction are both impressive

The standard Kona was the best-rated car on sale in our 2021 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, with top scores for everything except practicality. Although the Kona N wasn’t specifically mentioned in the result, it should be absolutely excellent to live with. Kona owners love the fit-and-finish, the technology and the driving experience - and the N provides tech and performance in spades. Hyundai’s five-year warranty is more generous than its rivals too.

Euro NCAP tested the Hyundai Kona in 2017 and awarded it a five-star score, with 89% protection for adult occupants. The range-topping Kona N features a host of driver assistance technology including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and following, front and rear collision avoidance and a head-up display.

(carbuyer.co.uk)
Hyundai Staria Kinder
A school van is an interesting idea. Does this solution make sense? Hyundai Staria offers a maximum of nine seats in conventional versions. Here, however, it is different. According to the manufacturer, the Hyundai Staria Kinder can use up to fifteen seats - all seated and equipped with adjustable seat belts. Supposedly. It should be added that the driver has at his disposal a system that informs those passengers who have not fastened their seat belts.

It is a pity that no photos of the interior have been discovered that would show what we are actually talking about and how the problem of relatively small space has been solved for this type of car.

For now, we have to settle for a body design that is enriched with yellow, special markings, and additional lights.

The car uses safety systems, including collision avoidance assistance, lane maintenance, blind spot monitoring and reversing warning. It was not revealed what was under the hood. It is probably the well-known and favorite 2.2-liter diesel engine that offers 175 horsepower.

Interestingly, the car found its way to the user. The 15-seater Hyundai Staria Kinder costs 37.41 million won or more than 26,000 euros - in the Korean market, of course. It seems that such a configuration will probably not reach Europe.
New Hyundai i30 Fastback N Line 2020 review
The new Hyundai i30 Fastback N Line looks great, but what's it like from behind the wheel? We find out...

The Hyundai i30 N Line Fastback certainly adds a little more excitement to the compact family car class, but behind the looks is a car that falls short in key areas. The sluggish dual-clutch gearbox and overly firm ride compromise the overall package and its ability as a family car. More sensibly-priced options lower down the range make for better family transport, while those wanting the looks and performance should try to find the extra cash for the fully-fledged N model.

Despite having been around for over 13 years - now half way into its third generation - the Hyundai i30 has never really gained the notoriety of its class rivals, such as the VW Golf or Ford Focus. It’s a competent, comfortable and affordable family car but remains a slightly left field choice in its class.

Hyundai has attempted to address that as part of the car’s mid-life update by introducing a new 158bhp 1.5-litre Fastback model that only comes in the firm’s racy N Line trim. The visual updates are minor but certainly go some way into making what was a rather forgettable-looking family car into something a bit more striking.

A new LED lighting signature and reshaped bumper sharpen up the front end, while gloss black trim on the lower edge of the bodywork and new 18-inch alloy wheels give a more purposeful look to the car. As a Fastback, the N Line makeover really does look the part.

The engine is also new; the previous 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo has been ditched in favour of a new 1.5-litre T-GDi that develops 159bhp and 253Nm of torque. Performance figures are brisk if not blistering, with Hyundai claiming an 8.8-second sprint from 0-62mph and a top speed of 130mph.

In our test car, the engine drives the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Hyundai’s six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission is also available, which brings with it a £1,200 saving.

Opting to pocket that extra cash and go for the manual is probably a good idea, as on this evidence, the seven-speed DCT is one to avoid. Whether pulling away from a junction, accelerating to overtake on a dual carriageway or even if you’re just dawdling around town, the gearbox is sluggish and laboured at making changes. Despite being an N Line model, there are no steering wheel-mounted paddles for you to operate the gearbox with yourself, either.

The engine is smooth enough, assisted by the integrated 48-volt mild hybrid technology, but always hampered by the gearbox. However, it’s pretty efficient, nudging above 40mpg over a mix of roads on our test.

There might not be lots of power, but the chassis lets you make the most of it. The steering is part of a responsive front-end that resists understeer well and allows you to maintain momentum through a series of bends.

However, another gripe is the ride quality - or lack of it. Hyundai has seen fit to match the car’s racy new exterior with an equally sporty ride, but this i30 N Line doesn’t possess anywhere near the level of performance necessary to justify such a stiff suspension setup.

The car constantly fidgets and fights with the surface as you drive along, crashing over bumps that it really should soak up. The dampers are also passive - unlike the proper N model - so even as you cycle through the driving modes, there’s no improving the quality of the ride.

Inside, there have been some welcome tech updates, Hyundai adding a new 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment to the dash that’s compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai’s new Bluelink telematics system, which beams real-time traffic and weather data to the car, have also been added.

A sticking point for most buyers, and what’s likely to make this i30 N Line quite a rare sight on UK roads is its price. At almost £27,000 tested here it’s only a few thousand short of the fully-fledged N car, which has the performance to match its looks. Over a three-year PCP deal, that’s likely to equate to only a few pounds extra per month.

Source: autoexpress.co.uk
New Hyundai Kona 2021 review
The Hyundai Kona has been revised for 2021 and we find out just how much it's improved

The updates to the Hyundai Kona improve its overall experience, with an efficient and effective mild-hybrid powertrain, a more composed and comfortable ride, and some useful tech upgrades in the cabin. But these gains aren’t enough to shove the car to the front of the pack; the Kona still isn’t as good to drive as the best small SUVs, and it continues to lag behind the likes of the Renault Captur and Ford Puma on practicality.

Hyundai will soon have an embarrassment of riches in the small SUV class. The Korean brand has a new offering, the Bayon, on the way in the coming months. And it will be joining a facelifted version of the Kona in the line-up.

Here, then, is the revised version of Hyundai’s ‘original’ small SUV. It’s had a little more than the typical mid-life nip and tuck too; yes, the usual updates like headlights and bumpers are present and correct, but there’s also a redesigned bonnet, and the changes are sufficient to make this car around 40mm longer overall than the outgoing version. The overall effect is to give the car a slightly more aggressive, chunky stance - perhaps even making it more of a crossover and less of a baby SUV. There’s also a new N Line trim level that tries to add a sporty look.

Under the bonnet, the Kona gets an updated range of engines. The 1.6-litre turbo unit at the top of the line-up gains some extra power, moving up to 195bhp, and the diesel motor (yes, here’s a car still available with one) gains a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

The same tech is also available as an option on the Kona’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine - and it’s this powertrain that we’re driving here. The engine itself produces 118bhp, and is the same unit that is likely to appear in higher-end i20s later this year.

The hybrid system uses an integrated starter/generator and a small lithium-ion battery to give the combustion engine a boost when pulling away from rest. It also benefits, though, from Hyundai’s Intelligent Manual Transmission - a six-speed manual gearbox that has no physical connection between the clutch pedal and the clutch. This sensor-based solution means that the engine can be switched off when the car is cruising along - and then fired up again, thanks to the 48-volt hybrid tech, when required.

It’s a complex piece of engineering but in practice works extremely well. You won’t feel much extra shove when starting off but once you’re up and running, you’ll have to rely on the visual cues on the instrument panel - the rev-counter needle flicking up and down - to tell that the engine is being cut in and out. It’s incredibly smooth in its transition - astonishingly so when you think that you can be doing 70mph at the time.

The engine has enough power to cope with a car of the Kona’s size, but not quite enough to ever make it feel like it’s capable of really punchy performance. The 0-62mph dash takes a leisurely 11.9 seconds - making the electrified version of this engine slower than the non-hybrid edition in either manual or auto form. It’s more efficient, though, with claimed average economy of 46.3mpg, and based on our experience with the car, this should be achievable in everyday use.

The Kona has also received tweaks to its chassis and suspension, and while they’re not enough to transform the car into a vehicle with real appeal for keen drivers, they do give the model a bit more dynamic polish. The most pleasing development of all is better bump absorption, making the Kona an effective tool on scarred urban roads, even on our Ultimate model’s 18-inch alloy wheels.

Body control feels a little tighter than before too, so while the inert steering and taller body still don’t really play ball and deliver enjoyment on twisty roads, the overall package feels like a more effective compromise than it did before. It’s a result, we’d like to think, of the UK testing instigated by Hyundai’s head of vehicle dynamics, ex-BMW M division man Albert Biermann.

In the cabin the biggest upgrade comes in tech, thanks to a new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, as seen first in the all-new i20. It’s crisp and easy to use - an ideal companion, in fact, for the similarly sized infotainment system that comes as standard on this Ultimate trim level. It remains one of the best set-ups you’ll find in any vehicle, frankly, with clear graphics, a great interface and quick responses to inputs. Recent upgrades have improved its connectivity further, thanks to fresh functionality in Hyundai’s Bluelink phone application.

The rest of the cabin gets some new materials but they don’t do much to lift the overall experience. It’s not that it’s badly screwed together or lacking soft-touch fabrics in key areas; it’s just that the fascia is a sea of black, grey and dark grey plastic, with only the very occasional flash of chrome to brighten proceedings.

Nor, it must be said, has the facelift done anything to address one of the Kona’s key weaknesses: rear packaging. Two adults can fit in there, even behind a couple of six-footers, but once in place, they’re unlikely to thank you for anything approaching a long journey.

The boot remains pretty unimpressive too - not helped, still, by a relatively high floor that’s designed to accommodate the circuitry of the hybrid and pure-electric editions. The Kona’s capacity is 374 litres, so it isn’t going to challenge the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 or Ford Puma on practicality.

Source: autoexpress.co.uk
Soon and Hyundai Bayon
Hyundai Motor has announced a new announcement of the image of its new crossover Baion. It is coming to the European market in the first half of 2021, which is an important addition to the current line of Hyundai SUVs.

With the launch of the new, additional B-segment model as an entry point into its SUV line, Hyundai sees a great opportunity to better meet the demand of European customers and increase supply in the very popular segment.

The name Baion is inspired by the city of Baion in southwestern France. Since the Hyundai Bayon is primarily a European product, Hyundai decided to name it after a European city. Located between the Atlantic coast and the Pyrenees, the French city is a great location for those who enjoy activities such as sailing and hiking, fitting into the life character of the new model.

More details about the Hyundai Bayon will be revealed soon, but it is expected to use the same platform as the new i20.

Among other things, the offer should include a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine with 120 hp.

Customers will be offered a choice between manual and automatic transmissions, and the equipment will also include a digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment system screen.
Tested: 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited Can't Keep Up
It doesn't offer the same driving dynamics as the Honda Accord, but the Sonata's hybrid model has the best fuel economy of the mid-size family sedans we've tested.

Hyundai redesigned its Sonata sedan in 2020, hoping that its new styling and updated tech would help it compete with other popular mid-sizers such as the Toyota Camry and our longtime favorite in the segment, the Honda Accord. But while Hyundai sold 76,997 Sonatas last year, Honda moved nearly 270,000 Accords, and nearly 300,000 Camrys found new homes, proving that the winnowing of the sedan category—no more Ford, no more General Motors—has left only the most ruthless competition. And to compete with the Camry and Accord, it's a given that you need to offer a fuel-sipping hybrid model. Hyundai actually offers two distinct electrified Sonatas, the Sonata Hybrid and Sonata Hybrid Blue, with the latter scoring an EPA combined 52 mpg. Unlike the Accord, however, fun behind the wheel doesn't seem like it was part of the Sonata's design brief.

Sonata Hybrids are powered by a 150-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and battery pack, generating a combined 192 horsepower. The updated model has new shift programming for the six-speed automatic transmission, which Hyundai claims makes the shifts smoother. Nonetheless, the transition between the electric motor and gas engine is convulsive, and there's occasional lag when shifting. The Sonata's conventional automatic transmission makes it an outlier in the mid-size hybrid crowd, with the Accord using a one-speed direct-drive transmission and the Camry employing a continuously variable automatic (CVT). The Accord isn't much more powerful than the Sonata—it's rated at 212 horsepower—but it's a full second quicker to 60 mph, taking 7.1 seconds to reach 60 mph compared to the Sonata's 8.1-second plod.

HIGHS: Exceptional fuel economy, luxurious cabin in top trim, solar roof.

Hyundai's new look for the Sonata is generally attractive, even if it looks a bit awkward from a few angles, and our test car's 17-inch wheels, standard on the SEL and Limited models, don't help its looks, either. But small wheels do help with its fuel economy, as indicated by the Blue's EPA numbers—it uses 16-inch wheels. Honda's top Touring trim for the Accord Hybrid can be equipped with a set of 19-inch wheels, which likely hurt its fuel economy in our most recent test.

When we tested a 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, we achieved 51 mpg during our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test. And we barely noticed the fuel gauge ticking down during our time with this 2021 example. The 2021 Sonata Hybrid is EPA rated at 47 mpg combined, while the Blue model earns a 52 mpg rating thanks to a 16-inch wheel-and-tire package and the removal of the spare tire. A Honda Accord hybrid only managed 35 mpg in our highway fuel-economy test, a deficit that can't be ascribed to any one factor. But on the highway, the Sonata's conventional automatic transmission and smaller wheels and tires definitely gave it an advantage. The Toyota Camry scores up to 52 mpg in the EPA's ratings, but the CVT-equipped Camry is also less than enthralling to drive.

LOWS: Looks awkward from some angles, unpleasant powertrain, lazy acceleration.

Exclusive to the Limited model, the Sonata offers a feature unique in the segment: solar panels on the roof. Hyundai says that the solar roof can add up to two miles of driving range per day, and it charges both the standard 12-volt battery and the hybrid powertrain's 1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Should the 12-volt battery go dead, the Sonata is the rare hybrid that can jump-start itself. Push the 12V Batt Reset button on the dash and the Hyundai will use its high-voltage battery as an onboard jump pack. Very clever.

Hyundai's SmartSense driver-assistance package is standard on all models, and it includes lane-keeping assist, braking assist, and a driver monitoring system. Unfortunately, Hyundai's Smart Park remote parking system—remember that Super Bowl commercial?—is absent from the hybrid's roster of options. Fortunately, the car's surround-view camera and front and rear parking sensors make parking easy.

As soon as you open the solid-feeling door, it's evident that this is a relative of Genesis, Hyundai's luxury wing. The driver's seat seems unusually high, perhaps a subtle bid to keep potential crossover buyers in the sedan camp. Upon start, the gauge cluster comes to life with crisp, animated graphics that look like something from a German brand. However, the 12.3-inch screen behind the wheel is only available on the top-of-the-line Limited model. Touches of Genesis carry over into the climate controls, too, where textured silver rings surround the knobs. The Limited gets a 10.3-inch dash infotainment screen, with other models getting an 8.0-inch screen. There, as in other Hyundai and Kia products, drivers can select an array of calming sounds, like a crackling fireplace.

The Sonata Hybrid slots between the Accord and Camry in price, starting at $28,755 for the base Blue model. Our Limited test car, which included full LED headlamps, the solar roof, and a leather interior, stickered for $36,474, which still puts it well below the average new-car price. The Sonata might not be the performance champ of the mid-size-hybrid segment, but it does have its particular merits, stellar highway fuel economy and styling that dares to have a point of view among them. But you get both of those things on the least expensive model, the Blue, along with an extra five miles per gallon. So, while we enjoy luxury frills as much as anyone, it seems that the most compelling Sonata Hybrid is also the most affordable one.

(caranddriver.com)
Tested: 2021 Hyundai Veloster N DCT Gets Quicker and Comfier
New seats and infotainment make the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N a nicer compact car, but a newly optional automatic transmission makes it a hotter hot hatch.

Hyundai nailed the hot-hatchback formula when it released the Veloster N for the 2019 model year. As a rambunctious salute to bargain performance, it initially offered as much as 275 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission for less than $30,000. Its rowdy active exhaust emits all the right snorts and pops. And its planted, highly adjustable chassis makes for great fun on pretty much any road or racetrack. With our long-term test car continuing to entertain us even as it approaches 40,000 miles, the news that Hyundai would be upping the fiery Veloster's base price and adding a few refinements for its third year in production was cause for some initial concern. Fortunately, those updates resulted in an even more desirable sport compact.

First, that change to the 2021 Veloster N's base price: It's now $33,245, which is $4650 more than it was last year. However, that sum does include more standard equipment, notably the previously optional $2100 Performance package that should have been standard from day one. The highlight of that upgrade is a 25-hp boost for the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four (for a total of 275), but it also adds an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, larger brake rotors, an active exhaust system, and 19-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero PZ4 summer tires, which replace the standard 18-inch Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

The second major update is the addition of an optional ($1500) eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). While we'll argue that a stick shift and three pedals are still best for maximizing the Veloster N's playfulness, there's no denying the DCT's quickness. Our test car shot to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds at 105 mph—handy improvements over the best 5.2- and 13.8-second runs we've recorded for a manual Veloster N. More important, both of the DCT's times are a tenth of a second quicker than the best efforts we've clocked for its chief rival, the manual-only Honda Civic Type R, although the 306-hp Honda does post a 3-mph faster trap speed at the end of the quarter. In two-pedal form, the Veloster N is now the quickest front-driver we've ever tested and one of the cheapest ways to gain access to the sub-five-second-to-60-mph club.

To summon the high-rpm clutch drop required for that Civic-beating takeoff, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the Custom drive mode display on the Veloster's 8.0-inch central touchscreen. Given the Veloster N's many chassis, engine, exhaust, and drivetrain settings, there's no ideal way to present all the choices. The previous tile layout required two pages, which Hyundai condensed to a single page by moving to a spider graph. The new readout looks sharp, but manipulating the intricate toggles while driving takes a steady hand. There are also preset combinations—Eco, Normal, Sport, and N Mode—if you don't require, say, loud exhaust paired with relaxed suspension.

The launch-control tab is integrated into the spider graph's adjacent N Performance display. Once activated, you're given five minutes to set the launch rpm (in 100-rpm increments up to 3500 rpm), floor both pedals, and then release the brake. As the computers work the clutches, the Veloster N lunges forward on the edge of traction and fires off rapid-fire upshifts as long as you keep the accelerator pinned to the carpet. We'd prefer it if we could initiate the procedure by simply mashing both pedals in the sportier drive modes, and we found that the system needed a brief cooldown between repeated runs. But it is effective.

Designed in-house, the Veloster N's eight-speed DCT is a marked improvement over the Hyundai Group's previous dual-clutch boxes. Its gear changes aren't as quick as a Porsche PDK's, but it is snappy and smartly programmed. (And hey, we're talking about a car that costs the same as a few option packages on a 911 Turbo S.) Low-speed drivability is impressively smooth, lacking the jerky stumbles that on-off throttle applications can provoke in this type of transmission. Downshifts are quick and well timed. As a bonus, the automatic Veloster N gains an overboost feature called N Grin Shift, which engages the car's raciest drivetrain setting and increases the engine's torque output from 260 to 278 pound-feet for 20 seconds. But we often forgot about it because it's activated by a small, unassuming NGS button on the steering wheel that blends in with the rest of the controls.

In manual mode, the Veloster N's transmission will hold gears up to the engine's 6750-rpm fuel cutoff. Shifts can be cued up via paddles on the steering wheel or a console shift lever with a proper pull-to-upshift, push-to-downshift action. We found that this manual control came into play more often than usual when driving on the highway, as the Veloster N's eight-speed won't engage top gear in any drive mode more aggressive than Normal. At an 80-mph cruise, eighth gear equates to a relatively subdued 2000 rpm. Left to its computer brain, the transmission only goes to seventh gear in Sport (2500 rpm at 80 mph) and sixth in Sport+ (3100 rpm). For comparison, the manual Veloster N registers 2900 revs at 80 when in top gear.

At a steady 75 mph, the Veloster N DCT returned the same 30-mpg figure as the manual car on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test. This is unimpressive given its extra ratios, yet better than what the EPA reckons: The automatic's federal estimates of 22 mpg combined, 20 city, and 27 highway all trail the manual's 25/22/28 ratings. Our test car averaged 18 mpg during its two weeks with us.

That reduced efficiency partially stems from the weight penalty incurred by the dual-clutch transmission. At 3186 pounds, our DCT test car weighed 96 pounds more than our manual long-termer, with the amount of mass over the front wheels increasing from 63.7 to 65.2 percent. Hyundai compensates for the altered front-to-rear balance by retuning the DCT model's springs and adaptive dampers. This maintains the car's excellent poise and body control but changes the ride quality. In Normal mode, the DCT car rides slightly firmer than the manual model, but in Sport+ mode it's more forgiving. Driven back to back, we still prefer the lighter six-speed car's softest setting for most situations, as it brings the best balance of ride comfort and chassis control. On Hyundai-spec 235/35R-19 Pirelli P Zero PZ4 summer tires, our DCT test car exhibited slightly more skidpad grip than the stick shift (0.99 g to 0.97) and took negligibly longer to stop from 70 mph (157 feet versus a best of 154).

Thankfully, transmission choice has no impact on the Veloster N's new standard performance seats. Highly supportive for hard driving yet surprisingly comfortable, these cloth and leatherette thrones are a huge improvement over the comparatively flat and plain-looking fabric chairs in our long-term car. Hyundai says each one is also four pounds lighter, but we're more impressed with how their sculpted design and the illuminated N logos on their backrests dress up the car's otherwise drab cabin.

That the new seats aren't heated is our only big gripe about the latest Veloster N. While that might sound like a trivial complaint, we drove the car in Michigan's frosty late fall. We thought far less about the car's new standard active-safety tech—lane-following and forward-collision assists, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, and driver attention monitor—than we did about the seat heaters and heated steering wheel that Hyundai makes available in other markets. The company says this split was to limit the cost and build complexity of models sold in the United States. But we imagine that discerning buyers of a more sophisticated and expensive Veloster N would like a say in their car's amenities. Count us among that group, even if we'd still chose the manual car and its inherently greater involvement over the quick new DCT.

Source: caranddriver.com
Tested: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz 2.5T Shuns Convention

Hyundai's new Santa Cruz compact truck attempts to skirt the rules for traditional pickups.

Breaking into the lucrative truck market isn't for the faint of heart. Subaru's Baja lasted four short years, Honda had to butch up the looks of its Ridgeline to secure a seat at the table, and even Toyota's T100 stumbled until it became the V-8-powered Tundra. And who can forget the Ford Explorer Sport Trac? It would seem that to succeed in this segment, your truck had better look and perform like, well, a truck.

In what may be an attempt to manage expectations, Hyundai isn't using the "t" word to describe its new entry, instead referring to it as a "Sport Adventure Vehicle." Hyundai even goes so far as to claim the Santa Cruz wasn't designed as a mid-size truck competitor, but one look at the package and it's hard to classify it as anything else.

Drive it and you're not so quick to use the "t" word. The Santa Cruz rides on an extended version of the Tucson crossover's platform, with struts up front and a multilink suspension with self-leveling dampers out back. Its 118.3-inch wheelbase (nearly 10 inches longer than the Tucson) contributes to a calm and composed ride, with none of the rear-end skittishness sometimes present in a full-size pickup with an empty bed. Maneuverability around town is carlike. At 195.7 inches long and 75.0 inches wide, the Santa Cruz easily slots into parking spots. Driven with haste along two-lane back roads, the Santa Cruz is agile, remaining relatively flat through the corners.

The top-range Limited example we tested had plenty of punch to go along with its moves. Borrowed from the larger Santa Fe, its turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four kicks out a meaningful 281 horsepower. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic channels the torque to all four wheels. Off the line, this powertrain will wait a beat before its turbo starts charging, but it quickly builds a head of steam, delivering a stout 311 pound-feet of torque from 1700 to 4000 rpm. The run to 60 mph takes a respectable 6.0 seconds flat, and the quarter-mile passes in 14.5 seconds at 98 mph. Aided by a light-for-a-truck 4132-pound curb weight, that's enough thrust to outaccelerate all the players in our most recent comparison test of mid-size pickups, all of which weighed in excess of 4500 pounds. Likewise, our example's 0.82 g of skidpad grip and 171-foot stop from 70 mph also would've been sufficient for top honors in that evaluation.

Lesser Santa Cruz models ditch the turbo and the dual-clutch for a 191-hp 2.5-liter and a conventional eight-speed automatic. The base 2.5-liter musters just 181 pound-feet of torque and is something we'd skip. We haven't tested that version yet, but in an all-wheel-drive Tucson, the nonturbo 2.5-liter results in a sluggish 8.8-second time to 60 mph. Front-wheel drive is standard here, with all-wheel drive a $1500 option. There's no hybrid variant, but since the Tucson features both hybrid and plug-in versions, we predict the closely related Santa Cruz will follow suit in the future. In terms of fuel economy, the standard 2.5-liter four holds a slight advantage: an EPA combined estimate of 23 mpg versus the turbo model's 22, although our test car did average 30 mpg on our 75-mph highway test, bettering its highway estimate by 3 mpg.

Despite its Tucson underpinnings, the Santa Cruz is capable of trucklike activities. Turbo all-wheel-drive models are rated to tow 5000 pounds, and even the base front-drive setup can tow 3500 pounds. Trailer sway control, a function of the stability-control system, helps mitigate untoward trailer motions and comes standard on all models. Off-road excursions are also possible, as 8.6 inches of ground clearance is enough to get you into the rough stuff. A decent 23.2-degree departure angle will ensure you'll get out of most moderately difficult situations without leaving the rear bumper on the trail. The journey itself might not be entirely smooth, as we found that the stickiness of the Santa Cruz's floor-mounted throttle pedal can make it difficult to maintain a smooth crawling speed.

Duality of purpose notwithstanding, the true make-or-break feature here lies out back. Where most truck beds are a blank canvas, this is more of an artist's toolkit. As the Santa Cruz is designed exclusively for the North American market, the development team worked to bake in the kind of usability and versatility that would appeal to the outdoor-adventure set marketers love to target. Key to this mission is a dent-resistant molded composite bed (as opposed to stamped steel), which allowed the team to utilize every square inch of the space—whether it's in, under, or atop the bed.

Packed with cubbies and hidden compartments, the Santa Cruz's plastic bed is more intricate than a puzzle box. Just as in the Honda Ridgeline, there's a lockable underfloor storage space located close enough to the tailgate that it's easy to retrieve items without straining yourself. Drain plugs make it a perfect place to keep drinks on ice. More storage can be found on the sides of the bed behind the wheel wells, along with an AC power outlet with enough current to run a small refrigerator. There are tie-downs throughout, as well as an adjustable cleat system. The space above the wheel wells is wide enough to accommodate four-foot-wide sheets of plywood.

Hyundai also went bonkers on the accessories. Whatever item your hobby requires, the Santa Cruz can likely secure, store, and transport it. With the tailgate down, it can accommodate a couple of dirt bikes or kayaks. A factory tonneau cover retracts to the front of the bed and is a lot easier to use than the folding jobs seen on some pickups. Precut tabs on the top of the bed rails can be punched out to add a canopy system. And when was the last time you saw a truck with roof-mounted crossbars?

Climb in and you'll discover a refined interior largely shared with the Tucson. A reasonably hushed 67 decibels of noise creep into the cabin at 70 mph, with full-throttle pulls registering only 72 decibels on our sound meter. The instrument panel and infotainment screen are neatly tucked into the dash, rather than being mounted on top. The result is a clean, low-profile dashtop, which allows for excellent forward visibility. The Santa Cruz accommodates tall passengers in both rows, with plenty of headroom and decent legroom in the rear. Like many pickups with small sliding rear windows, objects that pass through are limited to things the size of soccer balls and six-packs.

The center stack features all of Hyundai's latest tech. Most models feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Exclusive to the Limited trim is a 10.3-inch screen with navigation. As with the Tucson, the system with the larger screen can't do wireless phone mirroring; you'll have to plug in your phone like it's 2018. Most controls surrounding the system are of the capacitive-touch variety; they look sleek but attract their fair share of fingerprints and aren't as user-friendly as the physical buttons found in other Hyundai models. In what's a first for the brand, a tiny little Santa Cruz emblem adorns the controls for air recirculation and hill-descent control. The Santa Cruz's interior and exterior is peppered with other Easter eggs.

Despite what Hyundai claims, those little illustrations indeed resemble the shape of a truck because the Santa Cruz's silhouette says truck. But the exterior lacks the upright and squared-off look that characterizes traditional pickups. The styling is a muscular and bulked-up take on Hyundai's latest design language, and the big, bold grille full of brightwork is handsome. But the Santa Cruz looks like a crossover-turned-pickup. It makes no attempt to hide its roots.

Arguing how truckish it is or isn't might be fun for internet arguments (Please comment below—Ed.), but the biggest obstacle for the Santa Cruz could be its price. Base SE versions begin at $25,215 and include a good amount of standard equipment, but opting for the turbo requires an additional $10K. Top-spec Limited models begin at a steep $40,945. This pricing becomes an issue when you consider a world where the similarly sized Ford Maverick exists. A Maverick starts at just a hair over $20,000 and features a standard hybrid powertrain that's good for a 37-mpg combined EPA fuel-economy rating; more powerful turbocharged versions top out at a still-frugal 26 mpg combined. The Maverick also features more conventional truck styling, which might make it more attractive to more conventional truck buyers. But Hyundai is taking another tack—it remains to be seen if its gamble will pay off. So perhaps the question becomes: Do you want a truck, or do you want a Santa Cruz?

(https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a37274532/2022-hyundai-santa-cruz-drive/)
The new Hyundai Kona debuted PHOTO
The latest breakthrough from the Korean design school shows that new trends in the auto industry are coming from the East.

Hyundai has unveiled the new generation Kona, announcing significant improvements in all areas.

A drastic departure from its predecessor is also shown by the emphatically futuristic design with a curved front part and a horizontal LED light bar.

It is the "nose" of the vehicle that will distinguish the petrol, hybrid and electric versions.

Versions with conventional power units have a more robust design, with plastic fender edges, large openings in the front and a special offer of wheels.

On the other hand, the electric Kona is clearly different thanks to the closed front mask that contains "pixelated" light sources instead of the classic "grille".

Finally, the N line remains in the game with special additions. Hyundai says that they first developed the model as an electric car, and only then designed versions with fossil fuel engines, including the sporty N Line.

Detailed specifications will be announced by Hyundai later. For now, it is known that the Kona, at 4,355 mm, is 150 mm longer than its predecessor, while the distance between the axles has been increased by 60 mm.

The height probably remained at the same level, while the width of the vehicle increased by 25 mm.

No doubt, we expect a drastic improvement in the space offered, especially on the back bench.

When it comes to interior design, the style is well-known and already seen in the Ioniq 5. The digital cockpit includes a 12.3-inch instrument panel and an equally large multimedia system screen.

Special emphasis was placed on ergonomics, so the physical controls remained on the central console, while the gearbox is located behind the steering wheel.

And that's where the official information ends.

However, the range is expected to be similar to that of the Kia Niro, which includes a 1.6 hybrid with 141 hp, a 1.6 plug-in hybrid and an electric version with 204 hp and a range of more than 450 km.