At a Glance: 2026 Hyundai Kona N-Line

The 2026 Hyundai Kona N-Line is a stylish, spacious crossover that should be on your shopping list this year.

Engine/Transmission

Under the hood is a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with reasonably quick gear changes. The engine’s power is sent to all four wheels and the Kona gets a center locking differential so that power is sent equally to the front and back. Thankfully, with its small engine, it is possible to get better fuel economy than what it is rated for. It is rated for 9.4 L/100km in a city and 8.4 L/100km on a highway. I averaged 7.9 L/100km.

Handling/Performance

The engine doesn’t feel as punchy off the line as some other turbocharged crossovers like the Mazda CX-30 Turbo. But it’s enough power for everyday use. The steering is light and the car feels easy to drive in a big city. It’s the sportiest crossover to drive, again the Mazda CX-30 is more enjoyable, but it’s enough for most people’s needs.

Comfort/Interior

The Kona N-Line is one of the biggest compact crossovers on the market. For my 5’10” height, I had plenty of space in the front seats. Even with the driver’s seat raised, headroom was plentiful. In the back, the Kona provides loads of legspace for adults, even those that are 6’4” like my husband.

The cabin is nicely laid out with quite a few physical controls for climate, drive modes, and quick infotainment settings. The 12.3” touchscreen is crisp with nice graphics and the infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay & wireless Android Auto. There are also quite a few convenience features such as heated & ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and surround view cameras to name a few.

Exterior

The N-Line trim of the Hyundai Kona looks very sporty. It has a very aggressive front bumper, unique wheels, and a sporty exhaust tip. I quite like the styling and it definitely turns heads but it’s too bad it doesn’t drive as sporty as it looks.

Pros/Cons

Overall, the 2026 Hyundai Kona N-Line is a spacious and feature rich compact crossover that is easy to drive and comfortable on those long commutes to and from work. It’s also very stylish on the outside but it doesn’t provide the same exciting driving dynamics as something like the Mazda CX-30. The 2026 Kona N-Line starts at $36,699 CAD.