Hyundai Kona N or VW Golf R Mk8? They're rivals, so owners often weigh one against the other. Here's how far each one goes, using the makers' and tuners' own figures from our two guides.
At a glance
| Hyundai Kona N | VW Golf R Mk8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Years | 2021–2023 | 2021– |
| Engine | 2.0 T-GDi turbo four | 2.0 TSI EA888 Gen 4 |
| Stock power | 280 PS / 392 Nm (EU), 276 hp (US) | 315 hp / 310 lb-ft (US) |
Power by stage
| Hyundai Kona N | VW Golf R Mk8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 276–280 hp | 315 hp |
| Stage 1 | 295–330 whp | 386–442 hp |
| Stage 2 | 305–360 whp | 410–455 hp |
| Stage 3 | 400–450 whp | 500+ hp |
| Stage 4 | 450+ whp | 600+ hp |
Careful: one car's figures are at the wheels (whp) and the other's at the engine (hp), so they aren't directly comparable. Convert with the crank to wheel calculator.
Typical parts cost
| Hyundai Kona N | VW Golf R Mk8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | calibration CAD 799.99 (N75) or $1,250 on sale (LAP3, list $1,500); Courtenay Sport remap £595; JB4 $599–$799; plug-in modules €549–€689 (RaceChip, DTE). | APR $600, or $1,600 as APR Plus with a powertrain warranty; Unitronic CAD 700 at a Canadian dealer (its gearbox tune and intercooler are extra). |
| Stage 2 | intake $430.50 (aFe) or £350 (K-Tec); intercooler $1,064.18 (Forge); Remus EC-approved exhaust €2,033 before VAT; Scorpion GPF-back £918.31–£1,186.06. | the same APR file ($600); Unitronic Stage 2 CAD 750; APR intake $450. |
| Stage 3 | hybrid turbo $1,975 (Turbo Parts Canada), $1,595 plus core (LAP3 Pure550N) or CAD 4,099.99 (N75 HT450); DCT clutch kit £1,575 (Dodson, via K-Tec) or $1,599 (SSP). | — |
List prices from the guides, before shipping, import tax and fitting. "—" means that guide has no cost line for the stage.
Where each one ends up
At Stage 4 the Hyundai Kona N reaches 450+ whp and the VW Golf R Mk8 600+ hp.
Read the full guides
- The Hyundai Kona N guide
- The VW Golf R Mk8 guide
- Compare other cars in the compare tool
- All comparisons