The 2021 Hyundai Kona N is an upcoming high-performance version of the company's subcompact SUV. Launched in 2017, the Kona has become so popular in just three years that Hyundai is pushing it into high-performance territory. The Kona is the brand's first SUV to feature an "N" badge, joining cars like the i20, i30, Veloster, and Elantra. Is the 2021 Kona N just as powerful as Hyundai's N-badged cars and will it come to the U.S.? Let's find out in the review below.

Exterior

The Kona N is ready to go into production, but the crossover has yet to break cover officially. So for the time being we'll have to settle for a few shots of a camouflaged SUV. But having already seen N versions of the i20, i30, and Veloster, the Kona N's exterior isn't much of a mystery. Based on the recently facelifted Kona, the Kona N benefits from all the visual upgrades that Hyundai introduced in late 2020 plus a range of N-specific features. The crossover will look a bit more aggressive in N trim thanks to reworked bumpers front and rear, beefier wheel arches, and a roof spoiler.

Up front, look for a honeycomb-style grille stretching between the low-tier lights. The same pattern should extend to the bumper grille, which appears to be wider than on the regular model. To make things a bit more interesting visually, the Kona N will also sport a black splitter at the bottom of the bumper and a red accent stripe as seen on the other N cars.

The profile of the Kona N won't be significantly different that the standard crossover. Mild upgrades will only include body-colored mirror caps and door handles and unique, sportier looking wheels. These should be finished in a dark color for a striking contrast with the larger, red-painted brake calipers. If Hyundai offers a Performance Package, the Kona N will also feature larger, 19-inch rollers that are notably lighter than the standard rims. They should also come wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires. The Kona N will also sit a tad lower than the standard Kona.

Albeit camouflaged, the rear end gives us a good view of two familiar N design features, such as the roof-mounted spoiler and the dual exhaust layout. There's also a diffuser-like element at the bottom of the bumper, likely fitted with a horizontal red accent stripe.

Just like the rest of the N lineup, the Kona N will be offered in Performance Blue, a color that's exclusive to N-badged vehicles. Other than that, the color palette should be identical to the regular Kona lineup.

Interior

The first thing you need to know about the Kona N is that it will be fitted with all the new features that come with the 2020 facelift. Look for the latest Hyundai Bluelink technology with the 10.25-inch instrument cluster and an optional 10.25 infotainment display with a split-screen function. There's also new ambient lighting tech that illuminates the center cup holder and front foot wells, as well as new rings around the A/C vents and speakers with aluminum finish.

The Kona will also benefit from the company's new range of active safety systems, such as:

-* Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

-* Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

-* Smart Cruise Control with stop and go

-* Leading Vehicle Departure Alert

-* Lane Following Assist

-* Intelligent Speed Limit Warning

-* Safe Exit Warning

-* Rear Seat Alert

-* e-call

There's no word yet on what will set the Kona N apart from the regular model, but unique features should be similar to other N cars. Look for a pair of sporty, heavily bolstered front seats with "N" badges and a similar logo on the gear lever. The seats will be wrapped in leather, while other surfaces will feature cloth or artificial suede. But everything will be mostly black except for the Performance Blue stitching on the seats and the door panels. The Kona N should also become available with the optional N Light seats. Introduced on the i30 N, they are almost five pounds lighter than the regular seats and provide enhanced lateral support. They also feature Alcantara inserts.

As far as tech goes, the Kona N should be fitted with an active variable LED red zone and shift time indicator and the Performance Driving Data System. The latter displays info on horsepower, torque and turbo boost, and it also includes lap and acceleration timers. Metal pedals and seatbelts in Performance Blue should round off the N-specific package.

Drivetrain and Performance

This is where things get interesting. While we knew that Hyundai will eventually build a Kona N model, it wasn't clear whether Hyundai would use the 2.0-liter engine in the i30 N and Veloster N or the smaller 1.6-liter unit in the i20 N. It turns out the Koreans went with the larger engine, meaning that the Kona N will pack quite a punch. Hyundai has yet to release specs, but we do know that the turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine cranks out a solid 247 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the i30 N and Veloster N.

That's a notable increase over the regular range-topping model, fitted with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that delivers 193 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The Kona N also delivers more torque than the range-topping diesel model, good for 236 pound-feet.

Hyundai also offers a Performance Package upgrade for these cars, which increases output to an even more impressive 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of twist. There's no word if the Kona N will benefit from this performance bundle, but it's very like for Hyundai to offer it in order to keep the lineup consistent.

Hyundai also confirmed that the Kona N will feature an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard. This unit was added to the Veloster N lineup for 2021, but the hatchback also retains a six-speed manual as standard.

How quick will the Kona N be? Well, the Veloster N fitted with the automatic gearbox hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and the crossover shouldn't be slower. Its top speed will be electronically limited to 155 mph.

Hyundai confirmed that the Kona N will be equipped with Launch Control and revised exhaust system tuned for an "emotional sound experience."

How much will the 2021 Hyundai Kona N cost?

Pricing information is not yet available, but it's safe to say that the Kona N will become the most expensive model of the range. The Veloster N comes in at $32,250, almost $4,000 more than the range-topping non-N model, so you should expect a similar increase for the Kona N. With the top-tier Kona Ultimate priced from $28,050, the Kona N will fetch at least $31,500 before options.

There's no official confirmation that the Kona N will come to the U.S., but since crossovers are doing better than hatchbacks on this side of the pond, there's a good chance that the beefed-up mini SUV will make it to North America.

Does the 2021 Hyundai Kona N have any competitors?

The Kona usually competed with subcompact crossovers like the Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport, Mazda CX-3, Kia Stonic, and Seat Arona. While all of them are competitive across their regular lineups, the Kona is the only SUV in this market that now offers a high-performance version. None of the crossovers listed above come with more than 150 horsepower, so the Kona N pushes into premium territory performance-wise.

Specifically, the Kona N is powerful enough to take a stab at the likes of BMW X1. The range-topping model packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, so the Kona N comes on top on the performance front. It can also give the Audi Q3, also rated at 228 horses and 258 pound-feet of twist, a run for its money. Especially since these German SUVs are priced a bit higher at around $35,000. The Kona N is also more potent than the entry-level Mercedes-Benz GLA, while the Performance model comes close to the AMG GLA 35, which boasts 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque (at $47,550 before options).

Conclusion

The 2021 Kona N will probably be a big hit. The Kona is already one of the brand's most popular vehicles and the N package will attract new customers that weren't satisfied with the existing powertrains.

Likely priced from around $32,000, the Kona N will pose a threat to entry-level versions of the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Audi Q3. Sure, an extra 20 horsepower might not be enough for the Kona N to win over an X1 driver, but the Korean crossover will also feature a notably sportier setup and likely better equipment for around the same price.