This discontinued 276-HP hot crossover is now cheaper than a new Corolla

You don’t have to spend sports-car money to get genuinely exciting performance, especially if you’re willing to shop the used market. Depreciation has turned some overlooked performance cars into surprisingly affordable bargains, and one particularly unusual crossover now costs less than many basic new compact cars. Despite its practical shape, it packs enough power to deliver seriously quick acceleration and the kind of driving character that’s increasingly rare.

Three-year-old examples can now be found for well under $25,000, putting them within striking distance of a brand-new economy car while offering dramatically more performance. It isn’t perfect, the cabin has plenty of hard plastic and the rear seats aren’t particularly spacious, but you get a powerful turbocharged engine, sharp handling, plenty of standard technology, and enough practicality to make it a genuinely usable daily driver.

You can get a 3-year-old Hyundai Kona N for less than $25,000

This underrated hot crossover is a bargain

Hyundai is only just starting to be accepted as a serious manufacturer of performance cars. While there are still a lot of nay-sayers, the Korean brand’s N Division has been churning out fantastic performance cars for some time now. One such performance car that doesn’t often get talked about is the Kona N. While it isn’t on sale anymore, you can now pick up lightly used models at a ridiculously low price.

A practical, fun-to-drive crossover for the price of a Corolla

A big part of the appeal of Hyundai’s N cars is that they are often quite a bit cheaper than some of their rivals, and deliver a ton of performance for the price you pay. When the 2023 Kona N was brand new, it started at a very reasonable $36,285. However, because of perceptions around the brand, and the Kona not being particularly popular in the states, you can pick up a lightly used example with low mileage for well under $25,000.

Hyundai is a brand that is fighting against a negative reputation, which is why their cars often depreciate pretty quickly. They got off to a rough start in the States, and many now think that they are super unreliable. However, newer models are pretty sturdy, with the 2023 Hyundai Kona getting a score of 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Its negative reputation works in your favor though, as it means that you can pick up an almost new model at a ridiculously low price.

It comes with a perky turbo-four and an absolute ton of character

Hyundai knows how to make fun cars

Credit: Hyundai

There might still be a lot of doubters, but anyone that has driven an N car will tell you that they are some of the most entertaining vehicles you can buy. The Kona N is the perfect example of this. It packs a punch and gets moving quicker than you would expect, and in the corners it is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable crossovers out there.

The Kona N is a hot hatch on stilts

Those who are fans of the Veloster N will find the setup in the Kona N very familiar. Under the hood sits the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It is an overachiever, putting down 276 horsepower. Push the red button on the steering wheel, though, and you get another 10 horsepower for 20 seconds. You can’t get a manual transmission in the Kona N, but we think Hyundai’s eight-speed DCT is fantastic. Power is sent exclusively to the front wheels.

One look at the Kona N and you can tell that fun was clearly a priority. Yes, it’s a little over the top in some ways, but we think that just adds to its character, which is something that is in such short supply in modern cars. It is an absolute blast to drive, getting off the line with plenty of eagerness. Throw it into a corner, and you’ll find it is exceptionally engaging and communicative, even more so than some high-end sports sedans.

The Kona N is reasonably practical and comes packed with standard features

You also get some track-focused equipment

In classic Hyundai fashion, the cabin of the Kona N is far less dramatically styled than the exterior. While it does come with some sporty elements, things are kept relatively simple. This isn’t a bad thing, though, as it makes the hot crossover a pretty easy car to live with. It offers plenty of space as well, and it comes with lots of modern tech features, especially when you remember it costs less than $25,000.

A little budget-minded, but that’s okay

The Kona is, at the end of the day, a subcompact SUV. That means that you shouldn’t be expecting a cavernous interior. That being said, there is plenty of room up front, and adults can squish into the back seats, though they aren’t going to be comfortable on longer journeys. The trunk is relatively generous without being overly impressive.

For the most part, Hyundai keeps the cabin of the Kona N pretty simple. It does come with some unique touches to remind you that it is a performance car, with contrasting stitching, a unique shift knob, and some performance-oriented buttons on the steering wheel standing out against the otherwise black interior. Being so affordable, the hard plastics used throughout the cabin aren’t all that surprising, but at this price point we aren’t too bothered.

Infotainment and technology

Every 2023 Kona N comes fitted with a 10.3-inch infotainment screen mounted to the center of the dashboard. Graphics are crisp and it responds quickly to inputs. You also get a standard fully-digital 10.3-inch gauge display, which feels pretty modern. Every model also comes with a heads-up display.

Also included standard are track maps and lap monitoring information, which will please the few enthusiasts that plan to take their Kona N racing. You get all the other tech necessities too, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in Navigation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Audiophiles will be pleased with the eight-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system as well.

For the price of a basic compact car, the Kona N is an absolute steal

The Kona N is one of the most interesting cars out there, and we’re sad that it wasn’t all that popular when it was still new. It is such an entertaining little crossover, and you can tell how much passion went into making it. With 2023 models now costing well under $25,000 on the used market, it has become an absolute bargain for enthusiasts looking for something practical that they can live with day-to-day, and we think it is well worth considering.