Oddity in the Kona N manual shift mode

Starbird · Dec 5, 2023

I have owned a 2005 Elantra GT, 2006 Elantra Hatch back, 2013 Elantra Coupe, 2014 Elantra GT, 2015 Sonata Sport, 2016 Elantra SE, 2021 Kona Ltd, 2023 Tucson SEL, 2023 Kona N. These are just the one's with automatics.

Every one of these had a manual gate on the shifter to allow for manual control of the gear box. In each of them, shoving the shifter forward was an upshift, pulling backward was a downshift. Except one. I cannot understand why the Kona N is backward to the rest. Pull back to upshift, push forward to downshift. I checked the owner's manual and that is the correct operation.

Weird.

Starbird · Dec 6, 2023

Update: Did some research and it looks like this is a standard for the 8spd equipped N vehicles; Elantra, Kona, and Veloster. Done to mimic the shifting of automatic equipped drag cars and other ultra-high performance vehicles.

stevetoddphoto · Dec 14, 2023

They (Hyundai N’s) operate the same as race cars do with similar transmissions. Brilliant move by Hyundai for their track ready N cars!

embdenb · Dec 20, 2023

This should be a standard for all sequential shift patterns. Forward for downshifts, backward foot upshifts.

embdenb · Dec 20, 2023

Backward for upshifts.

Starbird · Dec 20, 2023

Wonderful thing about standards. There are so many to choose from.

L3arningthehardway · Feb 29, 2024

I don't care why they did it. They need to fix it or offer a solution. Every other car and truck with slapstick shifting operates the reverse of this crap. Also, when you want something to go, you push it forward (2,3,4,5) etc...when you want to slow or stop it, you pull back (5,4,3,2,1): it's a natural reaction. My Elantra, and my Tundra both operate the opposite of this so, my natural reaction will be opposite of what I need. I'm supposed to suddenly change over a decade of habbit and reflexive reactions for this one car? I have decided to only use the paddle shifting on my Kona N after shiting to the semi-auto mode so that my reflexes don't cause me issues. You shouldn't have to think to shift...it should be natural and reflexive. Decide to shift and your reflexes should do what you need. This screws that all up.

TWilliams · Apr 4, 2024

As someone who has owned multiple street and track cars, I can tell you YES, you need to adjust. Every one of my cars is a little different. Sometimes, I race multiple cars in a single weekend. Adjust!!!

Oddity in the Kona N manual shift mode

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities