Small, affordable vehicles are far rarer than they used to be, but some automakers have clung to the format as many others inflate prices and add more advanced features and tech. Hyundai has managed to include many of the most desirable features in its Kona while retaining its reasonable price tag. The model even got a significant update for the 2024 model year.
2025 Hyundai Kona Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2025 Hyundai Kona
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2025 Hyundai Kona
Hyundai completely redesigned the Kona in 2024. That means no changes for 2025, and the automaker calls the new model a carryover.
Design
The Kona has always sported a funky design, with unique split headlights and a busy front-end look. The new design is slightly more refined, though the low-mounted headlight units and open grille give it a unique look among its contemporaries. Like it did with the Tucson, Hyundai gave the Kona sculpted, angular sides, and wheel designs vary between trim levels.
Powertrain
Hyundai offers two engine options in the 2025 Kona. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder is available, making 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The base engine pairs with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the more powerful turbo mill mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.
The base engine is powerful enough for daily commutes and highway rides, but it offers few thrills and makes too much noise under heavy throttle. The available turbo engine is only available in the N-Line and Limited trims, but it makes a much better companion for the Kona in almost all driving situations.
Interior
The five-seat Kona comes standard with cloth upholstery, but synthetic leather is available. Manual front-seat adjustments come standard, and higher trims add power adjustability. Heated and ventilated front seats are also available.
Technology
The Kona comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and an analog gauge cluster with a 4.2-inch driver-information display. More expensive configurations add a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, but higher trims lose wireless functionality and require a wired connection. Other standard tech includes Bluetooth, HD radio, SiriusXM, and more.
Safety
The 2025 Odyssey hasn’t seen the business end of crash-testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but Hyundai equips a generous list of standard features. The list includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, driver-attention monitoring, automatic emergency braking, safe-exit warning, automatic high beams, pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward collision warning, and more.
Pricing and Release Date
As of the time of this writing, the 2025 Kona starts at $24,350. The mid-range SEL Convenience model starts at $27,900, and the range-topping Limited trim at $31,900. Hyundai doesn’t offer many added-cost options, instead opting to include the most desirable features in various trim levels.