2021 Hyundai Kona N detailed: Can this performance SUV really take on hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Toyota GR Yaris and Ford Focus ST?

Hyundai has finally lifted the covers off its long-teased Kona N, which packs a mighty punch of up to 213kW/392Nm to prove itself amongst hot-hatch competitors like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST.

The caveat though, is it will only make 213kW under the right setting, with all other modes outputting 206kW from the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.

That setting is found in the transmission, which is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission tuned by N to cope with higher power and torque figures, and offer faster shift speeds.

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Three modes are available on the transmission – N Power Shift (NPS), N Track Sense Shift (NTS) and N Grin Shift (NGS) – that will vary the Kona N’s shifting character, with the maximum 213kW available only on the latter setting.

With drive sent to the front wheels, and thanks to a launch control function, the Kona N can accelerate from zero to 100kmh in 5.5 seconds, while top speed maxes out at 240km/h.

This means Hyundai N’s first performance SUV is actually quicker to the landmark triple-digit speed than the VW Golf GTI (6.3s) and Ford Focus ST (6.0s), and only just slower than the Toyota GR Yaris (5.2s).

It’s not all straight-line performance though, as Hyundai has fitted the Kona N with an electronic limited-slip differential for maximum corner grip, while wider wheels and larger brakes are also help.

The standard equipment list also extends to a variable exhaust system, five-mode drive selector (Eco, Normal, Sport, N and Custom) and increased body rigidity thanks to extra welding points.

Handling multimedia duties is a 10.0-inch screen and digital instrument cluster that also includes a “racing head-up display that adds a game-like dimension to every driving experience under N or Sport drive modes”, according to Hyundai.

From the outside, the Kona N is easily distinguished by its body-coloured fenders, sports bodykit with red accents, roof spoiler, 19-inch lightweight wheels and exclusive ‘Sonic Blue’ hue.

The Kona N will also come with advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist, driver attention warning, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.

As a mainstream performance SUV, the Hyundai Kona N doesn’t have many direct rivals, but the incoming VW T-Roc R will arrive next year, while the Mini Countryman JCW could also sits as a more premium alternative.

Pricing is the final piece of the puzzle for the Kona N, with Hyundai Australia expected to confirm costs and local specification closer to its late-2021 on-sale date.

For reference, the current i30 N (which will soon be updated to a facelifted model), costs $41,400 before on-road costs in five-door manual hatchback form.

Meanwhile, the top-spec petrol-powered Kona, the N-Line Premium AWD, wears a sticker price of $42,400, meaning the Kona N is expected to nudge closer to the $50,000 mark.