The MBRP cat-back exhaust for my 2023 Kona N has been a great upgrade. One thing to keep in mind after installation is that new cat-backs can have a strong smell for the first few drives as the protective machining oil burns off. They can also sound a bit louder at first until the muffler packing settles, which is why I waited until the system was fully broken in before reviewing it.

Now that it is broken in, the sound is excellent. In Normal mode, the tone is low, and smooth, while still being a little louder and throatier than the stock exhaust in N mode. Below 2,000 rpm, it stays quiet enough that road noise is more noticeable inside the cabin, which makes it very livable for daily driving.

In N mode, this exhaust really comes alive. It sounds deep and aggressive across the whole rpm range, with a great tone at idle. The burbles are much louder, last longer, and even happen while accelerating through the gears, which adds a lot to the driving experience.

What impressed me most is that there is no drone at all. It is clear a lot of R&D went into this system, and for a four-cylinder, it sounds fantastic. Overall, it is an excellent exhaust if you want more sound and character without sacrificing comfort for a daily driver.