Pros Daring exterior design, well-equipped cabin, available hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Cons Goofy push-button shifter, no volume knob, no high-performance model offered.
Pros Smooth ride quality Plenty of standard tech and safety features for the money Roomy interior and comfortable front seats Long warranty
Cons Sluggish acceleration from the regular 2.5-liter engine Touch-style center stack controls can be distracting to use Hybrid can't match rivals on fuel economy
Pros Premium cabin Roomy seating and cargo space Many standard safety features Composed ride and handling
Cons Distracting touch-sensitive buttons with optional infotainment system
For the 2022 model year, the Kona receives its first major makeover since its 2018 debut. From the outside, it's sharper and sleeker than its predecessors, and a new N Line trim adds a distinctly sporty look.
Pros Optional turbocharged engine provides quick acceleration Nimble handling makes it enjoyable to drive Lots of features for your money Exciting performance from the Kona N
Cons Weak base engine Interior is trimmed with a lot of hard plastic panels
2022 is the debut year for the Kona crossover that joins the N brand's ranks for the first time ever.
Pros Engaging handling, smile-inducing overboost function, aggressive styling.
Cons Looks meaner than it is, loud on the highway, ride verges on too stiff.
PROS Fun to drive Worthwhile feature inclusions over i30 N Funky styling
CONS Lacking in cabin and cargo room Cabin can get noisy i30 N is the smarter choice as a track car