We are fortunate enough to spend a week with the 2022 Hyundai Kona N and so far, it’s been quite an interesting ride. We say that because the Kona is the smallest SUV that the South Korean automaker has to offer, so it’s peculiar that they made a performance trim out of it. Either way, we dig it and think that it does well to blend performance with practicality. Here are five reasons why.

1. The 2022 Hyundai Kona N has a gnarly turbocharged engine

That’s right, we said “gnarly.” It’s true, though, as the under the hood of the 2022 Hyundai Kona N, you’ll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that puts out 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. That potent powerplant is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that shifts quickly and transmits power to the front wheels through an electronic limited-slip differential.

Hyundai says that this combination will make the Kona N go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds, which is insane. That’s as quick as an entry-level Porsche Taycan, in addition to plenty of other sports cars. Gnarly indeed.

2. The Hyundai Kona N is practical

Did we say that the Hyundai Kona N is an SUV? Well, it is, albeit a small one. However, it can still seat five adults in relative comfort. The rear seat area isn’t exactly massive, but it does provide enough room for adults and kids. Also, the rear cargo area has enough room for some luggage and if you need more space, then the rear seatbacks fold down to reveal 45.8 cubic feet of cargo volume.

3. The Kona N’s fuel economy is decent

With all of that performance, you can’t expect the Kona N to achieve 40 mpg. In fact, it technically doesn’t even get 30 mpg. According to the EPA, the 2022 Kona N is capable of achieving up to 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. That’s not bad, but if you have a heavy right foot, then you can expect to get less out of it.

4. The Hyundai Kona N comes with the convenience features you need

Do you like convenience features like heated seats, a large infotainment system, and a banging sound system? Well then, the Hyundai Kona N has you covered as those features are standard. The Kona N comes equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and heated front seats.

There’s also a wireless phone charging dock, auto climate, and Apple Carplay/Android Auto connectivity. So it’s safe to say that the Kona N has what you need.

5. The Kona N is priced well for what you get

With a starting MSRP of $34,200 (before destination), the Hyundai Kona N isn’t the cheapest SUV out there. In fact, it’s about $6,000 more than the top-trim Kona Limited, so you’re definitely paying for the performance of the car. However, when you compare it to other pocket rockets like the Volkswagen GTI, the Honda Civic Type R, or even the Hyundai Veloster N, we think the Kona N is priced well for the performance you get.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona N blends practicality and performance

Ultimately, it’s still a little strange that Hyundai decided to make a performance trim level for its smallest SUV, but we’re glad it did. We’ll spend more time with it and report back our findings. So, stay tuned!