This week I bring you the tech-savvy 2025 Hyundai Kona, a small but roomy SUV that benefited from a huge overall in 2024. One big change is that it switched to an EV platform, and the lineup offers both gas and EV options. This tester is a Limited gas-only model so Hyundai's thrown everything at it, that is to say, it's well equipped. There are no big updates for the 2025 carryover model year.
Exterior
The Kona gives off electric vehicle vibes, especially when it comes to the front end, and that's because of its EV platform.The Limited is the only trim with a seamless horizon LED daytime running light stretching cross the front.
Its heavily contoured exterior wears Mirage Green well, and you'll either love or hate the bold 19-inch geometric-style wheels. I also really can't recall that last time I've been in the presence of so much black body cladding, except for of course when I reviewed the 2024 Kona earlier this year. The Kona is outfitted with LED headlights, LED combo tail lights along with heated side mirrors.
A seamless LED taillight also stretches across the back end, where you also find more black cladding on the bumper and upper spoiler with an integrated brake light. Roof rails are perched on top.
Performance
The Limited is equipped with range-topping 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 190-horses and 195 pound-feet of torque. These specs feel great on this small SUV. (The base engine only delivers a, sorry Hyundai, measly 147 horsepower.) The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic column-mounted shift-by-wire transmission with paddle shifters and shifting is quite smooth. My model is also equipped with Hyundai's available All-Wheel Drive. Remote start is standard across the lineup.
Interior
An spacious, open-concept cabin greets you. I do prefer this vehicle's lighter two-tone interior over the darker one in the 2024 I reviewed earlier this year. The switchgear and trim is well-done. The door handles have a great heft to them. There is, however, more hard-touch surfaces than I'd like, overall.
Available dual screen displays are wonderful. The digital display is bright and easy to read. The 12.3-inch multimedia system's next-generation touchscreen graphic quality is incredible. The system is also now compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Hyundai's Dynamic Voice Recognition is among the best out there. Navigation maps looks great too as does the backup camera resolution. The Limited is additionally equipped with a Surround View monitor. An 8- speaker Bose sound system gets my thumbs up, too. Connectivity features include a WiFi Hotspot, Hyundai's Digital Key, four USB-C ports and over-the air updates.
I'm not a huge fan of the center console, given that's it's too open concept for my taste. It also has the potential to look junky fast, as there's nothing to cover anything up. The center console is also where you find an available wireless charger along with a knob to select drive modes, seat climate controls and a few other functions including Remote Smart Parking Assist.
Stadium seats mean you lose headroom in the back, but the seats are cushiony. The 60/40 split fold-down seat reclines and offers a slim drop-down center console with cupholders. There's also more plastic in the second row. You lose window real estate in the back due to the Kona's design, but thankfully a sunroof allows more natural light in.
Cargo space grew with the 2024 redesign and the cargo area setup is nice with a dual level cargo floor and cargo cover. The Limited is the only trim with a hands-free lift gate. The Kona also has a spare tire.
Standard Limited features include dual-zone climate, a power moonroof and ambient interior lighting.
Ride and Drive
The Kona is a great ride and drive. It Acceleration is great with this powertrain, steering is responsive and the ride is comfortable. It's also easy to park due to its size. It excels as an all around great daily driver both in city and in highway driving. It's an enjoyable SUV to get around town in, and a smooth ride as well.
Safety
The Kona features standard Hyundai SmartSense. Rear Occupant Alert/Safe Exit Warning are standard across the lineup as well. The Limited is additionally equipped with other advanced safety features including Blind Spot View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Smart Cruise Control and Highway Driving Assist - one of the industry's best semi-autonomous driving systems in my book.
The Limited is also equipped with Hyundai's impressive Remote Smart Parking Assist system that helps you back in and out of a parking spot using the key fob.
What You'll Pay
This vehicle's only option is the Carpeted Floor Mats ($210). Total MSRP as equipped is $35,005 a great value for this top-of-the-line loaded with goodies trim.
Verdict
The Hyundai Kona certainly isn't boring, and it offers a lot of great tech and safety features along with being fun to drive. It's well-priced, too, making it a appealing choice if you like bold styling and an open concept interior.
- What I Liked Most: Technology. Cool Looks. Overall enjoyable ride and drive experience.
- What I would change: The center console is "too" open and invites clutter.
- Official Color: Mirage Green.
- MSRP: Base price $33,400 /Total MSRP: $35,005 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: 24 city/29 highway/26 overall.
- Odometer reading when tested: 559 miles.
- Weight: 3,505 pounds.
- Spare tire: Compact temporary spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 171.3” long/71.9” wide/63.4 (63.6)” high (w/roof rails).
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 gallons with the filler on the passenger's side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2025 Hyundai Kona in a few words: There is a lot to like about this small SUV, especially the technology, if you can get past all the black body cladding on the exterior.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 5-year/60,000 mile power train warranty, 8-year/100,000 mile hybrid system warranty, 10-year.150,000 mile hybrid battery warranty and 2-years of free maintenance.
- Final Assembly Location: Aichi, Japan.
- Manufacturer's website: Toyota.