2026 Hyundai Kona N Release Date, MSRP, Pictures

2026 Hyundai Kona N Release Date, MSRP, Pictures  –  I was already a fan of the Hyundai Kona – it’s a well-rounded subcompact crossover that’s one of the best out there. The electric version is also excellent, and now with the 2026 Hyundai Kona N, there’s a performance variant to make the lineup even stronger. Call it a crossover if you like, but it’s more or less a hot hatch, and it’s a blast to drive.  2026 Hyundai Kona N Release Date

Space has never been the Kona’s strong suit, but if you’ve always wanted a Veloster N but were turned off by its weird asymmetrical three-door layout, then in comparison the Kona N is way more practical and doesn’t sacrifice too much in terms of performance. The trunk holds just 361 L and 1,143 L with the 40/60 split rear seats folded, and the cabin has plenty of cubbies for small item storage.

2026 Hyundai Kona N Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

The front buckets are supportive and do an excellent job of keeping your butt planted while hustling through corners. Even after a long drive, the seats were still comfortable and no fatigue settled in. The back is a bit cramped and my 6-foot-3 passenger can’t comfortably sit behind himself, but for shorter people it was not a big issue. The most significant roadblock to comfort is how stiff the Kona N is – it might be too rigid for some people to handle daily.

Hyundai did a fantastic job styling this pocket rocket; it looks fun and sporty without coming off as juvenile. While there are a few fake vents killing my vibe, most of the added flair is functional or just plain cool. The red trim and details throughout make the crossover stand out and hint that it’s special. The 19-inch wheels are killer and I love the pop of the red brakes in between the spokes. Hyundai also removed all the plastic body cladding so that the Kona N looks more like a hot hatch and less like a crossover. Around back, the comically large spoiler somehow looks extremely cool and the fact that it’s black and not body-coloured helps tone it town noticeably. It even has a race car-inspired triangular brake light and huge exhaust tips.

2026 Hyundai Kona N Specs

Besides all the performance upgrades like gauges, lap timer, and launch control, for example, a heated steering wheel, head-up display that projects onto a pop-up plastic screen, automatic climate control, a digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (both need a wired connection), and a wireless phone charger. Adaptive cruise control is the only notable omission.  2026 Hyundai Kona N Release Date

Engine and Performance

It gets power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Like other similar transmissions, there’s some juddering when you’re creeping forward, but in general, the DCT is good at knowing where it needs to be, shifting quickly and – mostly – seamlessly. There are also paddle shifters, if you prefer.

Some complaints about the Kona N’s powertrain will be that it’s not all-wheel drive and that there’s no manual transmission. If driving enthusiasts want a manual, the Elantra N and Veloster N are available that way, but driving more wheels adds weight, cost, and complexity, so the fact that it’s front-wheel drive is OK with me. AutoTrader’s Road Test Editor, Dan Ilika, says it would have been cool to see Hyundai pushing the limits of its powertrain and engineering by offering an all-wheel-drive version, since the automaker has already proven that it knows how to make wickedly fun and capable front-wheel-drive performance cars.

Because the Kona N is front-wheel drive, there is some noticeable torque steer when you mash the throttle, so you’ll have to put some extra effort into holding the steering wheel steady. If you’re going absolutely ham into a corner, you’ll also feel some understeer, but it’s easy to manage and isn’t too pronounced, especially since there’s an electronic limited-slip differential that can divvy up torque between the front wheels depending on where it’s needed, which helps limit understeer and increase control.  2026 Hyundai Kona N Release Date

2026 Hyundai Kona N Fuel Economy

The fuel efficiency of the Kona N is respectable for a performance car. Official ratings are 11.8 L/100 km in the city, 8.7 L/100 km on the interstate, and 10.4 L/100 km overall. I was receiving 8.5 L/100 km after a week of driving, and it wasn’t even mild driving. This is better than its official figures, but bear in mind that premium-grade fuel is needed.

2026 Hyundai Kona N Safety Features

The Hyundai Kona N comes with all the brand’s safety and driver-assistance systems including forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, lane tracing and keeping assist, safe exit warning, driver attention warning, rear occupant alert, and automatic high-beam control.

Hyundai did a fantastic job styling this pocket rocket; it looks fun and sporty without coming off as juvenile. While there are a few fake vents killing my vibe, most of the added flair is functional or just plain cool. The red trim and details throughout make the crossover stand out and hint that it’s special. The 19-inch wheels are killer and I love the pop of the red brakes in between the spokes. Hyundai also removed all the plastic body cladding so that the Kona N looks more like a hot hatch and less like a crossover. 2026 Hyundai Kona N Release Date

2026 Hyundai Kona N Price and Release Date

The 2026 Hyundai Kona N only comes in one fully loaded model that starts at $40,199 plus an $1,825 destination fee. For just a wee bit more money than the Elantra N and the Veloster N, you get added practicality. What might get in the Kona N’s way is the fact that a Volkswagen GTI ranges from $31,495 to $38,995 with the mid-lineup model offering equally as much as the sole Kona N model and the choice of a manual transmission.

I was surprised by how well the 2026 Hyundai Kona N handled both daily commuting and fun backroad driving. While it’s a bit too stiff for most days, the payoff in how it handles is well worth it. I think it looks cool, it’s super fun to drive, has lots of personality, and – compared to the other N models, at least – it has some added practicality, too. If you’re looking for something unique and sporty but also sort of practical, you should definitely check this hot hatch out.  2026 Hyundai Kona N Release Date