2025 Hyundai Kona Reviews, Pricing & Specs

While visually unchanged over the 2024 Hyundai Kona, the 2025 model year is still fresh enough in appearance that you won’t mistake it for anything else in the crossover class, EV or otherwise. The largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars front and rear make even the gas-powered models reviewed here look futuristic (read our separate review for more info on the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric), and while not a classically handsome vehicle, from most angles the Kona’s myriad curves, bulges, and sharp angles collide in a satisfactory fashion.

Anybody coming from a previous-generation Kona will notice the extra size of this newer model–at around six inches longer it’s a significantly larger car. This not only helps with interior space, but also gives it a more assertive stance on the road. That’s particularly true if you opt for the Kona N Line S (a new trim for 2025) or N Line, which have a sportier design treatment that includes body colored bumpers and cladding in place of the slabs of contrasting plastic that you’ll find on other trims.

Speaking of which, those other trims are named SE, SEL, SEL Convenience (this was an option pack for 2024 but for 2025 becomes a trim in its own right), and Limited, which progressively add a little more visual bling in the form of larger alloy wheels (17-inch on the SE, 18-inch on SEL and SEL Convenience, and 19-inch on N Line S, N Line and Limited) and rear privacy glass. All models use LEDs for the headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights.

The interior is unchanged over 2024 and again that’s no bad thing. It feels solidly constructed, airy (helped because the drive selector for the automatic gearbox sits on a column beneath the wiper stalk), and has enough tech to impress. The only real difference to highlight for 2025 is that 64-color ambient interior lighting is now standard on N Line and the N Line S trim as well as the flagship Limited (for 2024 is was on Limited trim only).

Those wanting a sunroof will need to go for N Line or Limited trim, and if a powered liftgate is on your wishlist too then it’s Limited trim or nothing.

As noted, you can have the Kona with a fully electric drivetrain, and in many ways that is the model we’d go for, particularly from a value perspective versus its rivals.

The gas-powered Kona reviewed here comes in two flavors, depending on trim level. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience use a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), which is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) by another name. This type of transmission prioritizes fuel efficiency over outright performance, and won’t be to all tastes on account of the ‘rubber band’ sensation when accelerating.

Perhaps best, then, to opt for a Kona in N Line S, N Line, or Limited trim, which marry a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder (190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque) with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, providing conventional gear ratios to work with. The turbo engine's broader torque band, peaking from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, means performance is more muscular, although in our test drives we’ve found that even the turbocharged Kona can still feel a little flat at low revs. Push through that initial lethargy and performance is perfectly adequate by class standards, and while not the kind of engine that’ll have you dreaming about your next drive, the Kona’s turbo unit is undeniably fit for purpose.

All-wheel drive (AWD) remains available across the entire lineup for an additional $1,500, providing active on-demand drive to the rear axle when needed, and a dedicated Snow mode–useful additions to what is still a relatively small and value-led package. AWD Konas also get a more expensive multi-link rear suspension setup versus the torsion beam on front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, for a more sophisticated ride and handling setup. Even with the technically superior suspension setup of AWD models, the Kona’s ride and handling majors on competence in all situations rather than being laugh-out-loud fun on your favorite sweeping coastal highway.

As a family of four with a quartet of suitcases to haul, you might break a sweat when the rental car desk hands you the key for a Kona. You needn’t. With 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, growing to 63.7 cubic feet when the seats are folded, the Kona’s trunk (complete with useful dual-level cargo floor) will swallow a surprising amount. More, in fact, than the Mercedes E-Class plug-in hybrid that would later attempt to ferry the same family and their luggage to the airport at the end of their trip.

Rear legroom isn’t at luxury sedan levels, but at 38.2 inches (combined with 38.3 inches of headroom) nor should anybody but the tallest of passengers complain about being in the back of the Kona.

It’s also easy to get comfortable in the front seats, which feature a generous range of movement, as does the reach- and height-adjustable steering wheel. Relocating the drive selector to a stalk on the steering column and filling its usual place with a large storage compartment helps to create a real sense of space. In fact, in-car storage in general is excellent, with countless shelves, trays, and cubbies in which to lose your wallet/house keys/phone etc.

The SE, SEL and SEL Convenience trims feature cloth upholstery, while N Line S and N Line have Alcantara sport seats, and Limited features H-Tex leatherette. In SEL Convenience trim and above those front seats are heated, while on top-spec Limited they are also ventilated (you’ll also need Limited to get a heated steering wheel).

Heating and ventilation progresses from basic single-zone air conditioning on the SE to dual-zone automatic climate control complete with rear air vents on all other trims. Usefully, the system has its own set of physical controls mounted beneath the touchscreen, rather than requiring you to operate it via the screen itself.

The 2025 Kona continues to offer a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims. It’s a neat system, with good graphics, clear menu layouts, and wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay as standard. SEL Convenience trim and above also get wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai’s digital key.

In SE and SEL you’ll be using a 4.2-inch color multi-information display as your trip computer, while SEL Convenience trim and above get a full 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. This looks a lot smarter, gives more options for customization, and adds a sense of cohesion that’s missing from the more basic setup.

Audiophiles will want to upgrade to N Line or Limited trim for the full eight-speaker Bose premium audio experience. Anything below that gets a more modest six-speaker setup, although every Kona does come with SiriusXM and HD Radio as standard equipment. Only SEL Convenience, N Line and Limited feature built-in navigation, although pairing your smartphone in other trims and using something like Google Maps is an effective way to get around this limitation.

Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity means over-the-air software updates are possible to keep features up to date, and comes standard across all trims.

We’ve long been impressed by Hyundai’s approach to safety technology, which sees it equip even base models with advanced kit. The 2025 Kona is no different. Standard equipment across all trims includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning.

That’s not to say more equipment isn’t still available (for example, SEL Convenience and above add Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist that includes junction turning and door opening detection), but even at a base level the Kona impresses both for the level of equipment, the ease with which it can be turned on and off, and the general smoothness with which it keeps you in lane and at a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Limited trim adds convenience tech designed to help with parking (think Parking Distance Warning, Surround View Monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist), although in a subcompact like this you might find it’s far from essential.

Sticking with the safety comes as standard theme, all Konas include six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Given all of the above, it is perhaps no surprise that the Kona has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

A FWD Kona in SE trim costs $24,550 excluding destination. That’s a fair MSRP given this small SUV’s practicality, quality, and features. Spending an extra $1,350 will move you up to a Kona SEL at $25,900, which again is not unreasonable by class standards. The value trim, however, is arguably SEL Convenience, which adds heated front seats, the larger digital dial setup, the Highway Assist active safety feature, inbuilt navigation, a wireless phone charger, digital key, and a WiFi hotspot, all for just over $28,000. That’s a lot of useful tech at a still compelling price.

At the top of the new Hyundai Kona range, a fully loaded Limited AWD comes in at $33,600 excluding destination, and as is ever the case with flagship models you might want to see what that money might buy you from from the class above before signing on the dotted line. In this case, a well-specified Tucson Hybrid would be within reach, albeit without the Kona Limited’s fanciest features.

Whatever Kona you choose, you can add AWD for $1,500. And of course you’ll have the reassurance of Hyundai’s new car warranty, which remains one of the very best out there. In total it gives you 10 years or 100,000 miles of cover for the powertrain, a limited warranty for five years or 60,000 miles, and free roadside assistance for five years and unlimited miles.

Fuel economy for the FWD 2.0-liter base engine stands at 31 mpg combined. Opting for AWD sees those corresponding numbers drop by around 3 mpg, which is a modest sacrifice for the added capability.

For comparison, a Honda HR-V uses a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and CVT, much like the entry-level Kona. The Honda’s engine is marginally more powerful at 158 horsepower (vs the Kona’s 147) and 138 lb-ft of torque (vs 132), but the Hyundai fights back by having a slightly better EPA fuel estimate in FWD form of 31 mpg combined compared with 28 mpg combined for the Honda. Upgrade to AWD in both models and the figures drop to 28 mpg and 27mpg respectively. Go for the Kona’s turbo engine in N Line, N Line S or Limited trims and the EPA estimate is 28 mpg combined in FWD or 26 mpg in AWD.