"Please, be good," I thought to myself as I got into the Hyundai Kona N-Line. Experiences in the past with Hyundai (or Korean cars for that matter) have been very much 'it's much improved but still not quite there', but here is a car that I genuinely wanted to impress me, not just because it looks good or has plenty of shove (198 PS, 265 Nm).

Was I impressed though? To find out the answer to that question, let's unpack the layers and break it down for you. 

Exterior - Bold, fresh and distinctive

The facelifted 2021 Hyundai Kona N-Line is nothing if not distinctive. Whether or not you gravitate to the styling, is a subjective matter. What is certain though, is that the Kona's exterior design is quite eye-catching. That our review unit came in the striking Dive in Jeju colour helped it pop even more.

Adding to the visual drama is the variant-specific N-Line additions, which include a full bodykit front to back, twin exhaust pipe finish, and bespoke 18-inch wheels. It all comes together in a tasteful, aggresive manner, but not in a yobbish way. Vanilla, it is not. 

In my time we had it, the Kona N-Line drew gazes almost everywhere we went, even if the styling is rather polarising. My parents were fans of how the car looked, while my significant other went, "what is this oddball?" Put it simply, there seemed to be no middle ground with the Kona N-Line, you either loved it or didn't. 

Visually, the Kona N-Line looks pretty compact as well, with its very short overhangs front and rear, aided by a very planted stance. Our suspicions were confirmed when looking at the dimensions of the Kona N-Line versus its class rivals. It is indeed the smallest car in the class, but more on that later.

Interior - No longer 'almost there'

Let's get this out of the way from the start, this is a well-executed interior. Without caveats such as 'well-executed for a Korean car', it's well-executed full stop. The layout and design of the Kona N-Line's cabin is pleasing and ergonomically up to the mark.

Material selection in the Kona N-Line's cabin is also of a high standard. The seats and upholstery are finished in a leather/suede combination, and this really lifts the sense of sportiness inside. Pair it with a perfectly-sized steering wheel and a crisp digital instrument cluster, and it all comes together brilliantly. 

Being the range-topper (locally, at least), the Hyundai Kona N-Line is generously equipped. Standard kit include:

• Digital instrument (10.25-inch) and infotaiment (8-inch) cluster
• Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• Wireless smartphone charger
• Automatic climate control
• Drive mode selector
• Hyundai Smart Sense ADAS

For the most part, living with the Kona N-Line is a relatively painless affair, in a good way. There's no steep learning curve to gel with the car. The menus in the infotainment and instrument clusters are easy to navigate and with smartphone connectivity, entertainment options are aplenty. 

Speaking of entertainment, don't expect the Kona N-Line's unbranded 6-speaker sound system to set your hair on fire. For the most part, it is good enough for your daily music and podcasts, performing as it should. 

Gripes? Good as it is, there are a few. First is the dimensions of the front seats. They seem to be rather small for my size, although I must admit I am an XL-sized bloke. There was not enough thigh and shoulder support, and this makes long-distance driving a bit of a chore. 

Similarly, the rear quarters are rather cramped. Two adults will fit in there for short journeys (forget about three), but it can get a bit claustrophobic (refer to the picture above).

Boot space, at 361 litres, is also on the low side compared to class rivals (only the Subaru XV, at 345 litres, is smaller). Overall, the Kona N-Line feels sporty and superbly built inside. What it will struggle to do is be a one-SUV solution for families, due to it's lack of space. 

Driving experience - Polished handling, ponderous drivetrain

Things start to unravel slightly when you start to unpeel the dynamic layers behind the Kona N-Line. Let's start with the drivetrain. What about it? Well, given the Kona N-Line's unabashed sporting intentions, the transmission mapping (in Normal mode, at least) can be.... ponderous at times.

How? The DCT hesitates and becomes slightly lurchy at crawling speeds, but that is to be expected from a transmission of this ilk. What it lacks in this department is, linearity and natural progression.

For example, when you flex the throttle a bit, you realise that there is a dead zone where you only get throttle and turbo lag. Then, when you pin the throttle further, all at once the drivetrain gives you everything by going down two gears (when you only asked for one) and punches you ahead.

The responses are more natural when you dial in Sport mode, where the throttle really becomes pleasingly sharp and the gearchanges are snappy. If you're the lead-footed type, this is the mode to be in. That's when you can feel the all of the Kona N-Line's grunt.

On the chassis side of things, we're pleased to report that the Kona N-Line does not disappoint in the handling department. Body control is tight, taut and predictable. Grip levels are superb too, thanks to 235/45 R18 tyres. Put it simply, the Kona N-Line feels vibrant when pushed.

Ride comfort - Commendable ergonomics, unnecessarily firm ride

Visibility in the Kona N-Line is commendable too, which means little is left to guesswork when it comes to placing the car. What's even more remarkable is how refined the Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi engine and 7-speed DCT combo is.

Sure, some would prefer more growl to go with the N-Line performance, but this refinement is a pleasant and welcome surprise. Insulation is similarly impressive, suppressing wind and tyre noise splendidly (62 dB at 90 km/h, one of the lowest in class). 

On the flipside, the same 18-inch wheels contribute to a fairly firm ride. Couple that with the shortest wheelbase in its class, the Kona N-Line does not possess a supple ride. You can live with it, but over time this might grate at you. This is especially for back seat passengers. 

On very poor road surfaces (which is 80% of the roads in Klang Valley), you will feel each and every imperfection with the Kona N-Line's suspension. Perhaps, in trying to appeal in the driving department, Hyundai has seen fit to sacrifice some comfort as a trade off. 

Fuel consumption

Mixing a 50% highway and 50% city driving environment, and over a stretch of 160.2 km, the Kona N-Line consumed 15.06 litres of fuel. That works out to be a fuel consumption figure of 9.4l/100km. 

This is quite close to the reading we saw from the on-board computer, which was 9.2l/100km. 

Conclusion

In our time spent with the Hyundai Kona N-Line, we found it to be a rather charming and off-beat SUV. It's not everyday that you see one, and for some, that might just be enough to swing the deal. Better still, the Kona N-Line has the performance chops to back up the bristing aggression. 

Yes, the Hyundai Kona N-Line is an oddity, but it is a refreshing oddity, one that offers something different from the established template of compact SUVs today. Sure, it is not the cheapest option around, nor the most comfortable, or even the most spacious, but some won't care, and to those we say kudos.