[Konan the Hyundai]

I drove the Kona N for the first time today. I have had probably 100 test drives in the past 30 years including for work where we had a fleet of of 50 vehicles.

Today's Kona was the worst test drives by a huge margin. I suspect it was in a transportation mode and not properly prepped for sale.

On the dealership lot it barely started. When we started moving it hopped around the turns at 5 mph. I assume both front wheels were turning at the same speed and one turned faster or slower than the vehicle. I offered to come back after they had a chance to get it serviced. The sales person talked to another who said it was normal. Off we went.

We drove on local roads at a top speed of roughly 40 mph. Eco mode was relatively quieter and the others were louder up to N mode which was appropriately loud. I found no other differences in the modes. I floored it several times and was able to keep up with traffic but passing was not an option. Flooring it was more of a volume control than a link to the vehicle speed. It kind of reminded me of my mother's old 79 Ford Fairmount with 70 hp. My guess is that the Kona N had about 50 hp working for me. Zero to 30 seemed like 10 seconds. Zero to 60 would have been 30 seconds if it was even possible.

Obviously I did not get a reasonable demonstration of the Kona N. I have owned Hyundais in the past and trust the brand and this experience did not turn me off the Kona N.

Questions for the group. Was the sales person accurate that a Kona N hops around tight turns at low speeds? This sounds like it would destroy the tires, transmission and who knows what else in no time. Was the problem related to summer tires and 26 degree temperature?

Any thoughts about the lack of power? Is it possible that it was simply not prepped for sale?

Any other thoughts?

Anybody ever have a worse test drive and still considered buying the vehicle?

 

[dklanecky1]

I think you should name the dealer city, state and location. Anyone who would allow a test drive in a vehicle that wasn't prepped at all, and claimed it was normal, deserves to be outed.

 

[1fastKona]

I drove the Kona N for the first time today. I have had probably 100 test drives in the past 30 years including for work where we had a fleet of of 50 vehicles.

Today's Kona was the worst test drives by a huge margin. I suspect it was in a transportation mode and not properly prepped for sale.

On the dealership lot it barely started. When we started moving it hopped around the turns at 5 mph. I assume both front wheels were turning at the same speed and one turned faster or slower than the vehicle. I offered to come back after they had a chance to get it serviced. The sales person talked to another who said it was normal. Off we went.

We drove on local roads at a top speed of roughly 40 mph. Eco mode was relatively quieter and the others were louder up to N mode which was appropriately loud. I found no other differences in the modes. I floored it several times and was able to keep up with traffic but passing was not an option. Flooring it was more of a volume control than a link to the vehicle speed. It kind of reminded me of my mother's old 79 Ford Fairmount with 70 hp. My guess is that the Kona N had about 50 hp working for me. Zero to 30 seemed like 10 seconds. Zero to 60 would have been 30 seconds if it was even possible.

Obviously I did not get a reasonable demonstration of the Kona N. I have owned Hyundais in the past and trust the brand and this experience did not turn me off the Kona N.

Questions for the group. Was the sales person accurate that a Kona N hops around tight turns at low speeds? This sounds like it would destroy the tires, transmission and who knows what else in no time. Was the problem related to summer tires and 26 degree temperature?

Any thoughts about the lack of power? Is it possible that it was simply not prepped for sale?

Any other thoughts?

Anybody ever have a worse test drive and still considered buying the vehicle?

Well, there are alot of variables here. 1st, if the vehicle isn't broken in for atleast 2000 miles, your not going to get much for performance out of it. Also, it needs premium gas to reach its potential.

 

[Konan the Hyundai]

I think you should name the dealer city, state and location. Anyone who would allow a test drive in a vehicle that wasn't prepped at all, and claimed it was normal, deserves to be outed.

I don't want to name the dealership. It could have been an issue they didn't know about. I have bought 2 cars from them in the past and have been happy.

Another frustration from the visit, I first went into the showroom and looked at 5 cars. There were 3 sales people and one lot person who was talking to the only customer in the building I left the building and looked at a few more. The lot person came out and asked if I needed help. The 3 sales people had no interest in helping a customer.

 

[ArtNouveau]

The “crunchy tires” is normal. It is worse when cold and only at parking speed when turning to full lock. As far as lack of power and not noticing difference between modes I have no idea.
I test drove the Kona N I ended up buying and it was nothing like you describe. I don’t beat on brand new cars but it was obviously peppy, I also ran it through the modes and there are major differences you can feel.
I have no idea why your drive was so different. There is a valet mode with custom settings available but I’ve never tried it out.

 

[DuviVr6]

Good day folks, want to state that I believe you just had something not set right on your test drive vehicle. I bought a N-line 1.6 a few weeks ago and the car does behave different if the transport breaker is not setup to the normal use setting.

I am coming from a WRX and GTi, the 1.6 is a great fun car. Plenty of power and Dct is spot on. Flick it to the S mode and it will bring out a smile. A bit of more body roll that I would like but hey its not really an N.

I am in Puerto Rico and my N-line was $33k. N is $45, so didn't feel I wanted to spend the extra cash, but sometimes I think I should have. Anyways I am very happy with the Kona, give it another try.

 

[Konan the Hyundai]

I am in Puerto Rico and my N-line was $33k. N is $45, so didn't feel I wanted to spend the extra cash, but sometimes I think I should have. Anyways I am very happy with the Kona, give it another try.

With that huge price difference between local prices and those in the rest of the US, do many people buy in the States and ship to PR? As part of the US, I would think it would be no difference legally than me buying in another state and registering it locally. Even California has said they when they ban sales of ICE vehicles will allow residents to buy in other states and register in California.

 

[DuviVr6]

With that huge price difference between local prices and those in the rest of the US, do many people buy in the States and ship to PR? As part of the US, I would think it would be no difference legally than me buying in another state and registering it locally. Even California has said they when they ban sales of ICE vehicles will allow residents to buy in other states and register in California.

When you add transportation and import tax/fees you'll end up with the same price. Plus PR is not part of Hyundai USA for example. Then you run into warranty issues with the local suppliers.

I've done it for older cars and it can be worth it, but for a new car it does not add up.

 

[310gts]

i am sure the car was warmed up before yall headed out, but if not, id assume it being 26 degrees out might have lent to some of what you felt.

the valve in the exhaust wont open until a certain engine temp and i am sure the oil in the shocks would be thicker at those temps as well, so taking a turn in n mode would probably feel even more like its hoping around as it is very stiff in warmer weather. and yeah, the tires would be skipping in low speed/parking lot turns in those conditions as well.

recently its been in the low 40s and when leaving work, if I just hopped in and started driving it, 1 - id feel bad for beating on a cold car and 2 - it would be down on power until up to temp (for which the motor/ecu allows full boost/etc).

again, all that might not have been the case in this instance, but just something to think about before making a purchase. cheers!

 

[Konan the Hyundai]

Well, there are alot of variables here. 1st, if the vehicle isn't broken in for atleast 2000 miles, your not going to get much for performance out of it. Also, it needs premium gas to reach its potential.

I understand the need for appropriate break in period. I wouldn't push a new car too hard that I owned or on a test drive. This was far worse. Nearly floored in sport, the tach was below 4000 and it was slowly accelerating at 37 mph. Another possibility is that it was in "limp home mode" if there is something like that in a Hyundai.

I will try another Kona N in the spring along with the BRZ, Nissan Z, Supra, 24 Mustang, Civic Type R, Cayman, C8 Corvette, and who knows what else. It is going to be a fun spring.

I realize the list spans a huge price and performance spectrum my goal is to find the perfect balance of performance/price.

Any suggestions of cars to add to the test drive list?

 

[310gts]

I will try another Kona N in the spring along with the BRZ, Nissan Z, Supra, 24 Mustang, Civic Type R, Cayman, C8 Corvette, and who knows what else. It is going to be a fun spring.

I realize the list spans a huge price and performance spectrum my goal is to find the perfect balance of performance/price.

Any suggestions of cars to add to the test drive list?

GR corolla and golf R maybe? and, without trying to **** on the KN at all, but if you end up in a KN out of all those cars, good on you lol. 🍻

 

[1fastKona]

I understand the need for appropriate break in period. I wouldn't push a new car too hard that I owned or on a test drive. This was far worse. Nearly floored in sport, the tach was below 4000 and it was slowly accelerating at 37 mph. Another possibility is that it was in "limp home mode" if there is something like that in a Hyundai.

I will try another Kona N in the spring along with the BRZ, Nissan Z, Supra, 24 Mustang, Civic Type R, Cayman, C8 Corvette, and who knows what else. It is going to be a fun spring.

I realize the list spans a huge price and performance spectrum my goal is to find the perfect balance of performance/price.

Any suggestions of cars to add to the test drive list?

There is no perfect balance of performance/price. Your best bet is to build a vehicle that meets your goals. Hyundai has Limp Mode, but the check engine light would also be on.

 

[Dr. X]

Funny thing - I had a similar test drive on Saturday. Except I ended up buying the car.

It was 2 degrees F out . Turning the steering wheel without moving was a horrible, jarring ordeal. The salesman was clueless and offered to have someone look at it. I suspected it was the cold and new tires, so declined. The drive was not as bad as you describe, but still very uninspiring. I gave the car a pass because it was so cold and it had 12 miles on the odometer.

I own it now and with 36 miles on the odo I won't be pressing the NGS button any time soon, nor redlining it. So I hope it's as quick and fun as everyone says!

 

[Konan the Hyundai]

Congratulations on your purchase. I hope you enjoy it. What color did you get?

I could understand the tires on tight turns. Summer tires should not be used when it is that cold. The one I drove had to be in limp mode or something blocking it from going above 40 mph.

I will definitely drive another in the spring.

 

[jimv2K13]

Mannnn I love my Kona N but let’s be real here…it’s not going to touch the performance and engagement of a C8 or Cayman, and while I can’t personally justify dropping 45 large on a Civic and won’t daily a manual in the ridiculous traffic I have to deal with, the CTR is pretty objectively a better car than the Kona N. The numbers don’t lie.

That being said there are a few things that could be happening in regards to your less than stellar test drive.

1). The stock tires are Pirelli P Zeros which are a summer performance tire. They’re pretty much bricks at anything less than 45 degrees. It’s borderline dangerous to drive on them in freezing temperatures as they offer very little grip and ride really rough. They undoubtedly made your drive worse and could also explain the weird jolty cornering at low speeds. If you plan on driving an N product in a place with 4 seasons I’d replace them. I currently have Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate performance all seasons on mine and they work great in lousy weather.

2). Cars usually come off the delivery trucks with an electronic limiter that prevents them from reaching a certain speed. This makes them harder to steal. There’s a good chance that your car still had the limiter and the techs were being idiots.

3). The car is programmed to let the engine warm up. I’m not sure if there’s a hard limiter built in, but if you start a Kona N on a cold day the tach will have a yellow line from about 5,000 RPM until redline. As the engine comes up to temperature the yellow line gradually moves up the rev range until it disappears and you’re left with the 6750 redline. I haven’t revved the car out to find out if there’s a hard limiter (why would you? It’s not good for the motor) but there may be one.

I’d say wait for a warm day then go drive another. The car is an absolute hoot, and other than the dedicated (compromised for daily duty) sports cars like the Miata, Toyobaru twins, and the pony cars, there aren’t any new cars that are more engaging than the Ns for less than $35,000.

 

[Konan the Hyundai]

Mannnn I love my Kona N but let’s be real here…it’s not going to touch the performance and engagement of a C8 or Cayman, and while I can’t personally justify dropping 45 large on a Civic and won’t daily a manual in the ridiculous traffic I have to deal with, the CTR is pretty objectively a better car than the Kona N. The numbers don’t lie.

That being said there are a few things that could be happening in regards to your less than stellar test drive.

1). The stock tires are Pirelli P Zeros which are a summer performance tire. They’re pretty much bricks at anything less than 45 degrees. It’s borderline dangerous to drive on them in freezing temperatures as they offer very little grip and ride really rough. They undoubtedly made your drive worse and could also explain the weird jolty cornering at low speeds. If you plan on driving an N product in a place with 4 seasons I’d replace them. I currently have Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate performance all seasons on mine and they work great in lousy weather.

2). Cars usually come off the delivery trucks with an electronic limiter that prevents them from reaching a certain speed. This makes them harder to steal. There’s a good chance that your car still had the limiter and the techs were being idiots.

3). The car is programmed to let the engine warm up. I’m not sure if there’s a hard limiter built in, but if you start a Kona N on a cold day the tach will have a yellow line from about 5,000 RPM until redline. As the engine comes up to temperature the yellow line gradually moves up the rev range until it disappears and you’re left with the 6750 redline. I haven’t revved the car out to find out if there’s a hard limiter (why would you? It’s not good for the motor) but there may be one.

I’d say wait for a warm day then go drive another. The car is an absolute hoot, and other than the dedicated (compromised for daily duty) sports cars like the Miata, Toyobaru twins, and the pony cars, there aren’t any new cars that are more engaging than the Ns for less than $35,000.

I have concluded number 2 was the primary cause. The tire hopping in the parking lot was likely primarily the result of the tires being too cold for any grip. I drove conservatively and anticipated the tires to be a problem but never got to a speed where they would have been a problem.

The sales guy gave me the keys and went inside to copy my license for about 10 minutes so it was warmed up. I don't recall if there were any warning lights, they are far less obvious in a car with a complex display.

My goal is to consider all options this summer and buy the best fun car with cost being a significant factor. This will be a graduation present for me. I will have finished paying for 8 years of college for 2 kids. Time for some fun. I suspect I will like the Cayman the best but the cost is more than double the most I have ever paid for a car. The C8, I suspect will have too much power to be enjoyable on real world roads. I will likely be buying a new kitchen for my wife if I spend 70,000 for a car.

I think the finalists will be the BRZ and Kona N. The BRZ for the manual, small car handling, and the sports car look. The Kona N for the power, technology, and short wheelbase. I suspect the Kona will drive like a MINI, as close to a gocart as possible.

It is going to be a fun summer.

 

[Dr. X]

Thanks jimv2K13. I got it in black.

Drove it to work today and I'm really starting to love it. It's not just quick off the line, it's really eager. Like pulling at the leash. Big fun.

I swapped the wheels and tires out for 18 in Pirelli Sotozeros tonight. I really don't mind the stiff suspension in Normal mode, but this should improve the ride quite a bit.
One of the most shocking things about this thing is the handling. Minimal body roll and amazing turn in. The steering is heavy and feels very precise. No slop at all.

I'm coming from a 2020 Alfa Giulia lease. Couldn't be more different, though that was a surprisingly quick car. It's funny, you both mention all the other cars I considered. I suppose we're limited these days as EVs are becoming more the norm.
I don't see myself spending 45-50K for a GR Corolla or Civic R, and my commute discourages a manual anyway. I love the looks of the ToyotaBaru twins, though when I test drove one a few years ago it felt a bit slow and the seats and interior were barebones and uncomfortable for daily driving.
TBH, the RS3 would be my first choice if it weren't north of $60K. Might as well get a C8 for that money, which I haven't driven but I think I would love.

Many years ago I drove a number of cars at Lime Rock. My favorite was the Boxster. A pure joy. Again, though, it's not clear to me that it's twice as good as the Kona N. Maybe it is. I do envy you...

 

[RacingRedN]

Without knowing the ground and weather condition when you took the Kona N out for a test drive it is hard to determine what would cause the wheel hop. If you live in an area that has snow, ice, or even really cold condition where the temperature was 30 F or colder the O.E.M tires are not going to perform all that well and wheel hop will happen.

As for each mode on the car and its performance; there is a difference between Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Custom and N. If you are driving with the OEM tires and it was cold out you probably wouldn't notice the difference because the summer tires gripe drops as temps drop and since the whole country was facing a cold front with low temps that is probably why the car wasn't performing like it should.

I have studded snow tires on my car and there is a difference between each mode. In the summer you can also feel the difference with the OEM tires.

Cars I was looking at when I bought my Kona N.

Elantra N, Kona N, BMW X3M, Mercedes GLA35/45, Genesis GV70 3.5 Sport Prestige, Genesis G70, Kia Stinger GT2, Audi RS3....

When I bought my Kona N no dealership was offering discounts on new cars; most were $500 over MSRP or more. I personally don't pay mark up on anything I buy. I buy it as MSRP or lower. I got my Kona N with $2K off MSRP and got more for my trade in at the dealership where I bought my Kona N than any other dealerships were offering me on my trade.

All the cars I listed had mark ups of $1,500 or more. One dealership averaged over $5,000 on their mark ups. Funny thing is that dealership is now begging for my business and messages me daily asking if I'm still looking at buying a Kona N, Elantra N or one of the Genesis G70 or GV70. I probably be in a Genesis if that dealership didn't mark up their cars.

The car I liked the most and felt like it had the most bang for the buck was the GV70 2.5T Sports Prestige followed by the Genesis G70 3.3T.

Kona N is a fine car and with proper tires for the the colder climates I'm sure it will handle fine.

As for the difference between modes, the power is still there but with premium gas and going full on N it is not just about straight line speed. It is the car ability take corners and come out of the corner rather fast. It's how the steering wheel feels when you take the corner, its how aggressive the transmission reacts, how the e-LSD and traction control reacts and of course how the car sounds. Power wise, if you run premium and run it in N mode you may get 270-280 whp on a stock car at the dyno. With regular gas and running it in ECO you may get around 250whp. That HP number won't really be noticed especially if you are driving OEM tires in cold weather due to the lack of gripe the tires have. With proper tires you will feel it.

 

[Dr. X]

Well done RacingRed. I agree with you.

FWIW, the 18 in wheels with the non-run-flat snow tires didn't make a big difference in the ride. Minuscule, if any.

 

[RacingRedN]

Well done RacingRed. I agree with you.

FWIW, the 18 in wheels with the non-run-flat snow tires didn't make a big difference in the ride. Minuscule, if any.

Get ultra light weight rims and you will feel a difference. Going from one rimt hat is almost 30lbs to one that is 18lbs you feel the difference. The extra sidewall that an 18" provides also soften the ride a bit, but not by a lot.