LOOKS

My test vehicle featured a beautiful black and white two-tone design that helped it stand out vs. segment rivals.

It also included 19-inch alloy wheels (other trims feature 17 or 18 inch wheels), sharp wheel design and attractive lighting features. The Kona offers heated side mirrors, automatic LED lighting, power sunroof and roof rails.

Moving inside the Kona, you’ll find a tight squeeze for backseat passengers, one of the hazards of getting any compact vehicle. With that in mind, it’s best used as a commuter car, and you should upsize to a larger vehicle if you have regular back seat riders who are adults.

One positive is the high-quality materials and features on the inside of the Kona, many of which are quite upscale for the price point. The Kona features:
— H-Tex (synthetic leather) seating surfaces
— Heated, leather steering wheel
— Power driver's seat with lumbar support
— Heated and ventilated front seats
— Dual automatic temperature control with rear air vents
— Auto-dimming rear view mirror with home link
— Ambient lighting

The Kona’s gear shifter is located on the steering column, not in the traditional center console location, freeing up storage space.

Cargo space comes in at 25.5 cubic feet with all seats up, and 63.7 cubic feet with rear seats down. That’s decent for the segment, but you will need to upgrade to a larger vehicle if you want more space.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

There are two engine options on the 2025 Hyundai Kona — a simpler base version and the more powerful turbo option.

I tested the turbo engine, a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder offering which delivers 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. And the base version is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet.

My turbo engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and also came with paddle shifters if you’re into controlling the gears more directly.

If you’re looking for a more peppy ride and a bit more fun, the turbo is the way to go, but you’ll need to opt for one of the higher trims to get it.

The Kona comes in both FWD and AWD, which is a nice feature you don’t always find on smaller SUVs like this. 

Due to its small size, the 2025 Hyundai Kona is extremely nimble and handles cornering and curvy roads well. It’s also quick to brake when needed.

While it’s not super powerful or fast, the turbo engine is respectable in terms of performance, especially when compared to its segment rivals, and helps with highway passing and merging. The 0-to-60 times on the turbo are in the mid 7-second range, while the base engine is much slower at close to 9 seconds.

Drive modes include Normal, Sport and Snow — with Sport mode providing the most enjoyable experience.


TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The Kona features the excellent Hyundai infotainment setup focused on a 12.3-inch center touchscreen, as well as a 12.3-inch gauges and info screen in front of the driver. The two screens look sharp and flow together behind one long piece of glass.

This system is easy to use by touch and responsive to voice commands, and is one of best and most user-friendly tech experiences you’ll find in today’s auto industry.

You can also connect your smartphone wirelessly and use an Apple CarPlay or Android Auto setup, USB ports are found in front and rear of the vehicle, and you can opt for wireless phone charging, and Digital Key to unlock the car with your smartphone.

A WiFi hotspot is also offered, and 90 days of satellite radio are included before you will need to subscribe.

Regarding safety features, the Kona has a strong list of features for a smaller vehicle.

I found the Highway Driving Assist helpful, as it does an excellent job keeping the Kona in your lane and slowing down for traffic in front of you.

All the key sensors all do their job well and are not overly sensitive or overreactive, and the surround view monitor provides a helpful image of your surroundings.

Safety features include:
— Front, side and side curtain airbags
— Forward collision avoidance assist (including automatic braking to avoid collisions)
— Lane keeping assist (steers you back into your lane)
— Driver attention warning (monitors for fatigue)
— Blind spot collision warning
— Blind spot view monitor
— Rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist
— Parking distance warning (on all sides)
— Rear view camera
— Safe exit warning
— Smart cruise control
— Surround view monitor


MPG

Fuel economy numbers on the turbo engine with AWD that I tested were 24 city/29 highway and 26 combined. With FWD and the turbo, that jumps to 26 city/32 highway/28 combined.

With the base engine, numbers are 27 city/29 highway/28 combined with AWD, and 29 city/34 highway/31 combined with FWD.

The listed numbers proved accurate, as I averaged around 26 mpg during my time with the vehicle.

These are competitive numbers in the compact SUV segment. Some compact SUV rivals do improve slightly on the numbers offered by the Kona, but the differences aren’t severe enough to be a major deciding factor for potential buyers.


PRICE

The 2025 Hyundai Kona I tested was priced just over $35K, and the base price around $25K.

Trim levels include SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, N Line S, N Line and Limited. There is also an EV version of the Kona offered (with an estimated range of 261 miles).

Budget-conscious buyers can still get a solid vehicle with the SEL trim level, but those seeing the better engine setup will want to get one of the N-Line versions or the top Limited trim.

Overall pricing on the Kona is competitive vs. the main alternatives in the compact SUV category, so it will come down to your preference in terms of looks and performance.

Helping the financial argument for the Kona is Hyundai’s industry-leading warranties, including:
— 5 years/60,000 mile new vehicle warranty
— 10 years/100,000 mile powertrain warranty
— 3 years/36,000 mile complimentary maintenance
— 5 years of roadside assistance


BOTTOM LINE

The 2025 Hyundai Kona is a solid choice If you're looking for a compact SUV that's fun to drive, and don't regularly have backseat passengers.

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