Hyundai Kona (2025)
Futuristic design, spacious interior, and turbo power impress with comfort and tech, despite some trade-offs.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona is a bold subcompact SUV that charms urban explorers and small families craving style without compromise. It pairs a sprightly 190-hp turbo engine with a quiet, spacious cabin, packing tech like dual 12.3-inch screens and Hyundai SmartSense safety features that users adore for peace of mind. Experts applaud its futuristic design and fuel economy hitting up to 34 mpg highway, though the base CVT powertrain earns mixed reviews for lackluster pep. Cargo space requires some Tetris skills, but generous rear legroom keeps passengers comfy. With smart AWD options and an inviting warranty, this Kona balances flair with practicality in a crowded segment worth watching closely.
Find Yours
What is your primary use for a Gas-Powered SUV?
Answer to find your best matches.
The Field
Browse top contenders, or compare all options ranked by score and key attributes.
5 Options
The Scoreboard
Does this improve your life? Considers, health, habits, and environmental impact.
Benefits
Quick, punchy turbo gives relaxed passing and confident merges in daily traffic.
Generous rear legroom and quiet cabin make commutes and car-seat days more comfortable.
Dual 12.3-inch screens and wireless CarPlay reduce fiddling and speed up tasks.
Hyundai SmartSense features reduce near-miss moments and ease family driving stress.
Nimble steering and composed response make lane changes and city weaving feel effortless.
Strong warranty and efficiency mean fewer maintenance surprises and cheaper daily running.
Trade-Offs
Softer suspension causes noticeable body lean around corners, unsettling passengers with drinks.
Base CVT and 2.0L feel strained and loud during highway merges and overtakes.
Cargo area feels small with rear seats up, making stroller or weekend gear loading awkward.
Alternatives
Join the Circle
Where real meets deal
Know what's worth buying-and when.
Tips, special offers, and rewards for buying and sharing.
Publications
5 LEADING PUBLICATION REVIEWS
Billy Rehbock from MotorTrend highlights the 2025 Hyundai Kona as a standout in the crowded subcompact SUV segment, praising its futuristic exterior design and high-tech, spacious interior. The review appreciates the Kona’s dual-screen infotainment setup, improved rear legroom, and quiet highway ride, emphasizing the new N Line S trim as a compelling balance of sporty styling and upgraded features. While the Kona’s powertrains carry over with some trade-offs—such as less impressive acceleration and fuel efficiency—the smoother eight-speed automatic transmission and available turbocharged engine add appeal. The Kona Electric’s vehicle-to-load capability and cold-climate battery preconditioning are noted as unique perks. However, the review points out that upper trims can be pricey, and the absence of a hybrid option is a drawback. Overall, the tone is moderately positive and measured, valuing the Kona’s tech and design while acknowledging performance and pricing limitations.
By Billy Rehbock
Car and Driver praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona for evolving from its playful first generation into a more mature, comfortable, and practical crossover without sacrificing much in performance. The review highlights the standout 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine as the preferred powertrain, offering smooth and refined acceleration, especially in the N Line trims. The Kona’s interior impresses with a clean, futuristic design, ample rear-seat space, and a well-integrated digital display setup. Standard and available tech features, including driver-assistance systems and wireless smartphone integration, add to its appeal. While the Kona has grown in size and lost some on-road sharpness, it remains sprightly and versatile, with all-wheel drive available across trims. The review also notes the value of Hyundai’s generous warranty and complimentary maintenance. Minor drawbacks include the absence of some premium features in lower trims and slightly diminished fuel economy with the turbo and AWD options. Overall, the Kona is a well-rounded, modern subcompact SUV with strong safety and tech credentials.
By David Gluckman
Colin Ryan from Kelley Blue Book praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona as a stylish, practical, and affordable subcompact SUV that stands out in its class. He highlights its roomy interior, advanced tech features like dual 12.3-inch displays, and class-leading warranties, which contribute to its strong value proposition. Ryan appreciates the Kona’s comfortable ride, responsive steering, and efficient fuel economy, though he notes the base engine lacks excitement and the cruise control can struggle on steep inclines. The review emphasizes the Kona’s futuristic design influenced by its electric variant and its competitive pricing compared to rivals like the Honda HR-V and Subaru Crosstrek. Safety ratings and standard driver-assist features further bolster its appeal. Overall, Ryan’s tone is positive and measured, recommending the Kona especially for buyers seeking a well-rounded, tech-forward small SUV with solid resale value, while acknowledging some performance trade-offs in the base model.
By Colin Ryan
John Howell from What Car? highlights the 2025 Hyundai Kona as a well-rounded small SUV that offers a strong balance of comfort, practicality, and value, particularly in its petrol and hybrid forms. Praising its quiet cabin, composed ride, and spacious interior—especially generous rear legroom—the Kona stands out for its user-friendly physical controls and solid build quality. However, Howell notes that the Kona’s performance is modest, with none of its engines delivering class-leading acceleration or sporty handling, making it less exciting to drive than rivals like the Ford Puma or Audi Q2. The review also points out some drawbacks, including a smaller-than-average boot, scratchy interior plastics, and faster depreciation compared to competitors. Safety features are decent but not top-tier, with advanced driver aids reserved for higher trims. Overall, Howell presents the Kona as a sensible, comfortable choice for buyers prioritizing practicality and reliability over dynamic driving thrills.
By John Howell
Christian Wardlaw from Edmunds praises the 2026 Hyundai Kona as a satisfying and well-rounded extra-small crossover SUV, highlighting its roomy interior, advanced technology, and strong safety features. The review emphasizes the Kona’s comfortable cabin—especially its spacious back seat—and user-friendly twin 12.3-inch displays with wireless smartphone integration. While the base engine lacks power, the available turbocharged option delivers quick acceleration and smooth transmission shifts, making it suitable for daily commuting. The Kona’s cargo versatility and clever storage solutions also stand out. However, Wardlaw notes the suspension’s softness leads to noticeable body roll and less engaging handling, which may disappoint driving enthusiasts. Fuel economy is realistic but not class-leading, and the Kona’s quirky styling may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the Kona offers a compelling blend of practicality, technology, and value, making it a top choice for buyers seeking a feature-rich subcompact SUV with a strong warranty and comfortable ride.
By Christian Wardlaw
YouTube
15 LEADING EXPERT & INFLUENCER REVIEWS
Consumer ReportsMike Quincy praises the 2024 Hyundai Kona’s spacious, airy cabin and practical features like the configurable cup holders and generous cargo space. He notes improved ride comfort and solid handling but criticizes the plastic-heavy interior, firm seats, and noisy CVT engine. The unique twist-style gear selector feels odd initially but becomes intuitive.
TFLnowRoman and Tommy from TFLnow offer a measured yet engaged take on the 2025 Hyundai Kona, praising its spacious, well-equipped interior and peppy 190-hp turbo engine with AWD. They critique the polarizing, “big butt” exterior styling and rising price but highlight intuitive physical controls and strong value in higher trims.
Driven Car Reviews With Tom VoelkTom Voelk praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona for its distinctive design, solid tech features like wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and strong safety suite, highlighting the turbocharged 1.6L engine’s satisfying power delivery. He notes some road noise and missing hybrid option but values Kona’s affordability, roomy interior, and practical cargo space.
CarGurusClifford Atiyeh praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona for its turbocharged powertrain, versatile trim options including the new N Line S, and tech-rich interior with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay. While noting the Kona’s softer steering feel and slightly less refined materials versus the Nissan Kicks, he highlights its comfortable ride, advanced safety features, and strong warranty as key strengths.
Car ConfectionsCar Confections praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona for its bold design, strong 1.6L turbo engine, and segment-leading tech like the 12.3-inch touchscreen and Hyundai SmartSense safety features. They highlight excellent interior space and quiet ride but note the polarizing exterior styling and lack of a hybrid option as drawbacks.
Ben HardyBen Hardy praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited for its futuristic design, spacious and bright interior, and well-equipped features like dual-zone climate control, heated/cooled seats, and a 360-degree camera system. He notes enjoyable storage space and tech but points out noticeable turbo lag and a learning curve with the column shifter, offering a balanced yet positive view.
MotormouthMotormouth praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona N Line for its comfortable ride, responsive 1.6L turbo engine, and well-designed interior featuring dual 12.3-inch screens and suede-leather seats. While missing some fun factor of the previous model, they highlight its practicality, improved space, and unique EV-inspired styling, with minor critiques on the sunroof and gear selector.
The Car Care Nut ReviewsThe Car Care Nut Reviews offers a measured yet appreciative take on the 2024 Hyundai Kona, praising its refined 1.6L turbo engine, functional and spacious interior, and improved infotainment system. While critical of the exterior design, fuel economy, and some material choices, the reviewer highlights thoughtful features like the smart key and practical upgrades, recommending it mainly for its everyday usability and interior comfort.
The Driveway Auto ReviewsThe Driveway Auto Reviews praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona for its surprising punchy performance, nimble handling, and excellent value in the mid-$30K range. While the futuristic, angular design and some interior quirks (like the gear selector) may divide opinions, the roomy cabin, advanced safety features, and tech-rich cabin impress, making it a strong urban crossover choice.
Micah MuzioMicah Muzio praises the 2024 Hyundai Kona for its spacious, well-designed interior, family-friendly features like ventilated seats and advanced safety tech, and strong value with a long warranty. While the turbo engine’s power delivery and CVT base feel less engaging, the Kona excels in comfort, tech, and everyday usability for small families.
Everyman DriverDave Erickson from Everyman Driver praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona for its bold styling, spacious interior, and tech-forward features like the 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay. He highlights the turbocharged engine’s lively performance and comprehensive safety suite, calling it a standout value-packed subcompact SUV ideal for urban drivers and families.
W.T.F Car ReviewsWillie from W.T.F Car Reviews praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD for its powerful 1.6L turbo engine paired with a reliable 8-speed automatic, spacious and comfortable interior, and advanced tech like the 360° camera and Bose audio. He notes minor turbo lag and hard plastics but finds it a well-rounded, fun, and loaded subcompact SUV.
Nothin’ But Car ReviewsNothin’ But Car Reviews praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona SEL Convenience for its spacious interior, thoughtful tech like the 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay, and capable AWD with multiple drive modes. While appreciating its natural engine sound and solid fuel economy, the reviewer notes the 2.0L engine lacks pep and feels strained under load, recommending the turbo variant for more spirited driving. Overall, the Kona impresses as a practical, well-equipped subcompact SUV with some trade-offs in acceleration.
AUTO TVAUTO TV praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona for its bold, Star Wars-inspired design, refined ride, and strong tech features like dual 12.3-inch displays and wireless Apple CarPlay. While the base engine feels underpowered, the turbocharged option delivers spirited performance and solid fuel economy, making the Kona a compelling, value-packed urban crossover.
Legend17Nick Ackerman praises the 2025 Hyundai Kona SE for its futuristic design, spacious interior, and user-friendly tech like the 12.3-inch touchscreen and Hyundai SmartSense features. He highlights easy maneuverability and good cargo space but critiques the flashy Neo Yellow color, basic plastic fenders, and lack of powered seats in the base trim.
Social
1 INFLUENCER REVIEW
Christina BranmanChristina Branman highlights the Hyundai Kona’s thoughtful design and family-friendly features, praising its heated steering wheel, dual large screens, surround view camera, and versatile storage options. She appreciates the comfortable legroom and practical car seat setup, though notes a slightly tight driving position with a rear-facing car seat. Overall, Christina finds the Kona a strong contender in the subcompact SUV segment, especially valuing the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with all-wheel drive. She warmly recommends it for moms seeking a stylish, well-equipped, and practical vehicle with a few minor space tradeoffs.
Forum Reviews
CUSTOMER REVIEWS FROM 1 FORUM
Reddit users generally express positive sentiment toward the 2025 Hyundai Kona, praising its design, comfort, and advanced features like the AWD system and driver assistance technologies. Many appreciate the vehicle’s value, spacious interior, and smooth ride, especially in daily use and varying weather conditions. However, some critiques focus on suspension softness, occasional sluggishness, and concerns about windshield pitting and sensor reliability. Safety features receive mixed reviews, with some users noting occasional system glitches. Overall, both new buyers and upgraders find the Kona a solid choice, though some advise careful consideration of trim levels and winter tire use for optimal performance.
Many comments
In-Depth Review
Highlights
- •Large dual displays and connectivityDual 12.3-inch displays and wireless CarPlay
- •Comprehensive safety suiteStandard Hyundai SmartSense driver-assist features
- •Punchy turbo option1.6L turbo delivers about 190 hp
- •Spacious rear-seat comfortGenerous rear legroom and quiet cabin
- •Competitive highway fuel economyUp to 34 mpg highway (FWD)
- •Strong warranty and valueFive-year/60,000-mile basic warranty
Considerations
- •Soft suspension and body rollNoticeable lean in quick corners
- •Underwhelming base drivetrain2.0L with CVT feels strained
- •No hybrid powertrain optionNo factory hybrid variant available
- •Occasional sensor glitches and pittingReports of ADAS hiccups and windshield pitting
- •Interior material qualityHard plastics and mixed trim finish
- •Tight cargo capacity25.5 cu ft behind rear seats
While comprehensive real-world feedback on the 2025 Kona is still unfolding, early impressions paint a picture of a bold subcompact SUV that aims to punch above its weight. Hyundai leans into futuristic styling and tech-savvy touches—like dual 12.3-inch displays and an impressively quiet cabin with generous rear legroom—to woo urban adventurers and small families alike. The choice between a modest 2.0L engine or a spirited 190-hp turbocharged powertrain adds personality where it counts, while fuel economy figures up to 34 mpg highway (FWD) keep running costs in check. Advanced safety features come standard, offering peace of mind with clever alerts rarely seen in this segment. Though some might find the suspension’s soft sway less thrilling than sharper rivals, the overall balance favors comfort without sacrificing nimble city handling or confident braking distances. For those sizing up their next crossover contender, these nuanced strengths make for compelling reasons to explore what lies beneath Kona’s distinctive skin—and maybe reconsider expectations along the way.
Powertrain & Acceleration
The 2025 Kona serves up a choice between a humble 2.0L engine and a lively 1.6L turbocharged powerhouse, with the latter delivering spirited performance that turns daily commutes into fun drives. While the base powertrain may feel strained during highway overtakes, the turbo’s punchy output and smooth eight-speed automatic elevate responsiveness without guzzling fuel excessively. This balance of efficiency and zest keeps drivers engaged, making it clear why many recommend opting for the turbo variant to truly savor its sprightly acceleration.
Fuel Economy
Efficiency is where Kona shines brightest in its class: boasting up to 34 mpg on highways with front-wheel drive while maintaining respectable numbers even when AWD kicks in at 24/29/26 mpg city/highway/combined ratings across engines. Users confirm real-world figures hover near advertised specs, reinforcing Hyundai's claims about economical motoring paired nicely with modern tech like smart transmissions ensuring minimal wasted energy — key perks for budget-savvy commuters eyeing green credentials alongside practicality.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Performance
Hyundai SmartSense elevates safety standards here by bundling pedestrian detection, junction-turn collision avoidance, blind-spot warnings plus rear cross-traffic alerts all standard or widely available—features praised by both experts and users alike for boosting confidence behind the wheel amid busy traffic scenarios. Rear Occupant Alert adds peace-of-mind family protection rarely seen in subcompacts; however, occasional sensor glitches reported remind us technology isn’t foolproof but remains undeniably one of Kona’s standout selling points thanks to comprehensive coverage designed to minimize mishaps.
Handling and Braking
With nimble steering and an estimated skidpad grip of 0.82 g, this Kona dances deftly through city streets despite its softer suspension setup causing some body roll around corners. The braking distance of 172 feet from 70 mph showcases confident stopping power, especially on turbo trims equipped with advanced safety tech like Hyundai SmartSense features that enhance driver control. Although some find the ride cushier than sporty, this trade-off favors comfort over track-day thrills, cementing its reputation as a well-mannered urban crossover.
Conclusion
The 2025 Kona stakes its claim with a turbocharged punch that livens up city commutes and highway merges alike, while the base engine nudges toward cautious practicality. Its handling leans into comfort, trading sharpness for a plush ride that soothes rather than thrills, yet still delivers confident braking distances. Fuel economy remains a standout with an impressive 34 mpg on the highway, making it wallet-friendly without sacrificing pep in higher trims. The suite of advanced safety features instills genuine peace of mind, even as occasional sensor quirks remind us tech isn’t flawless. Inside, generous rear legroom contrasts with cargo space that demands clever packing; this is no cavernous hauler but a snug urban companion. Transmission choices balance smoothness and engagement depending on your trim pick, while AWD adds grip when roads get tricky. For drivers prioritizing smart technology wrapped in bold design—and willing to embrace some soft suspension sway—this subcompact offers spirited value where it counts most.
Feature Scores
This reflects reviews and ratings from established critics, journalists, and users who have evaluated the item. Their opinions provide a comprehensive assessment.
Performance
Engine Power
4/5
Acceleration
4/5
Towing Capacity
2/5
Fuel Efficiency
4/5
Reliability
4/5
Durability
4/5
Value
Purchase Price
4/5
Operating Cost
4/5
Resale Value
3/5
Design
Interior Space
4/5
Cargo Capacity
3/5
Ergonomics
4/5
Exterior Styling
4/5
Health
Cabin Air Quality
4/5
Interior Material Toxicity
3/5
Safety
Crashworthiness
4/5
Active Driver Assistance
4/5
Braking Performance
4/5
Visibility and Lighting
4/5
Sustainability
Tailpipe Emissions
3/5
Fuel Lifecycle Emissions
3/5
Use of Recycled Materials
2/5
End-of-Life Recyclability
3/5
Experience Style
Infotainment Features
5/5
Ride Comfort Tuning
4/5
Customization Options
4/5
Specifications
This section outlines the product's key facts, covering essential features, details, dimensions, materials, and any unique characteristics that define its functionality and usability.
Performance
Value
Design
Safety
Sustainability
Experience Style
Frequently Asked Questions
3 Questions
Find Yours
What is your primary use for a Gas-Powered SUV?
Answer to find your best matches.
