Two SUVS Driven - The 2022 Hyundai Kona N And 2022 Chevy Equinox

For this review, we bring you two SUVs, the 2022 Hyundai Kona N and the 2022 Chevy Equinox. Why pair these two rides, each of which couldn’t be more different than the other except they have four tires and a steering wheel and are classified as “SUV?” We had them both at the same time. They’re also around the same price. Let’s take a look. Who’da thunk? Hyundai, maker of sedans, SUVs and peanut cars of varying appeal and success, has now thrown its lot in with all the nervous little “hot hatches” and birthed the Kona N, a delicious, angry firecracker of a car. It’s not a hatch, though - it’s a subcompact SUV.

This is one of the first Hyundais I’ve ever looked at and thought “Wow, that’s a great-looking ride.”

With its blacked-out grille, gulpy, large air intakes, dual exhaust, creased hood with punched holes and red trim line under the front bumper, the spoiler and side skirts, the Kona N is a handsome devil indeed. From the front, the red trim under the front bumper reminded me of 1928’s “The Man Who Laughs” as though the car was smiling every time I approached. I had the Kona N for seven days and every day I found some reason to get behind its wheel whether important or frivolous.

Inside, you feel cleared for takeoff, and your “suedelike” seat coverings are comfy and stylish. There’s a red button on the steering wheel which, when pressed, rockets you into overboost and bangs the 276-hp ride to 286 for 20 seconds. Also, bless them, Hyundai has provided actual knobs, buttons, levers and good old-fashioned buttons all over the place - none of this “Everything from volume control to heat is buried in a fingerprint-stained screen and even if you just want to lower the volume on the tunes, we’ll make you take your eyes off the road and look for it.”

The vehicle is offered at just one fully-equipped price of $35,425,

Engine

You roll via a turbocharged, 2.0 litre four cylinder engine with an automatic transmission. There’s an 8-speed, dual clutch sending your torque to front wheels, meaning you’ve got a pleasing amount of road feel in your steering wheel around corners at speed, one of the funnest aspects of the car. It’s noisy when you get up over 30 MPH. Mileage is somewhere around 23 MPG combined city/highway.

Cockpit:

It’s black through and through but the shifter, buttons, contrast stitching and Performance Blue here and there deliver a great contrast – another sweet touch.The nav/sound/climate system worked well, no issues with connection or operation. A digital gauge cluster delivers 10.3 inches of display, as does the infotainment screen. A Harmon/Kardon sound system with eight speakers, delivered good but not great sound. The Ride:

It’s hard not to be in a hurry in the Kona N, even when going to the post office, so watch your speed. On curvy roads, you’ll lean into the corners with your front-wheel drive like a masseuse digs into the knots in your back. The one thing I wish it had was a choice of a manual shift - it doesn’t - but as it was, the Kona N delivered exactly everything it says it will deliver - fun, speed and a pricetag that won’t break the bank.

What a thrill, and what a great new addition to the world of cute, angry little cars.

The Kona N comes with standard lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring, standard automatic high-beams, standard adaptive cruise control and more. A Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles. You get complimentary maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. Yes! The Ride:

It’s hard not to be in a hurry in the Kona N, even when going to the post office, so watch your speed. On curvy roads, you’ll lean into the corners with your front-wheel drive like a masseuse digs into the knots in your back. The one thing I wish it had was a choice of a manual shift - it doesn’t - but as it was, the Kona N delivered exactly everything it says it will deliver - fun, speed and a pricetag that won’t break the bank.

What a thrill, and what a great new addition to the world of cute, angry little cars.

Safety

The Kona N comes with standard lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring, standard automatic high-beams, standard adaptive cruise control and more. A Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles. You get complimentary maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. Yes!