2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) focus, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The grille resembled that of the Ioniq 5, with a single-piece design that signaled its electric powertrain. The front end featured a "seamless horizon" styling with a prominent skinny LED headlight. Despite being nearly 6 inches longer than its predecessor, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette. The visual changes were more apparent up close, with new creased "parametric surface" doors and more substantial black body cladding on the SE, SEL, and Limited trims. The N-Line trim, however, sported body-colored wheel arches. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights were part of the package, with a seamless horizon taillight at the rear. Wheel sizes varied from 17-inch on the base model to 19-inch on the N-Line and Limited trims. Inside, the cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift to the steering column, and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from the 2024 model, retained its fresh and distinctive appearance in the crossover class. The flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars gave even the gas-powered models a futuristic look. The Kona's curves, bulges, and sharp angles created a satisfactory design from most angles. The extra size of the newer model was noticeable, providing more interior space and a more assertive road presence. The Kona N Line S and N Line trims featured sportier designs with body-colored bumpers and cladding. The trim lineup included SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, and Limited, each adding visual enhancements like larger alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, with a solid construction and ample tech. The 64-color ambient interior lighting became standard on N Line, N Line S, and Limited trims. A sunroof was available on N Line and Limited trims, while a powered liftgate was exclusive to the Limited trim.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, featuring a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE and SEL trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The N-Line and Limited trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were included with the N-Line and Limited trims, and the SEL Convenience Package offered them for the CVT. During a test drive from Baltimore to the Maryland countryside, the Kona Limited's pickup felt slightly slow even with the turbo, but the intuitive steering and nimble handling were appreciated. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional $1,500, reducing EPA fuel economy estimates slightly.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a fully electric drivetrain, but the gas-powered models reviewed here came in two variants. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims featured a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine's broader torque band provided muscular performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. AWD was available across the lineup for an additional $1,500, offering active on-demand drive to the rear axle and a dedicated Snow mode. AWD models also featured a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension setup, enhancing ride and handling.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length significantly improved rear-seat legroom, measuring 38.2 inches, and headroom increased to 38.3 inches with the sunroof. Cargo capacity expanded to 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded down, nearly 20 cubic feet more than the first-gen Kona. The Limited trim featured a power hands-free liftgate for easy access. Inside, a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash provided storage, and a "guardrail" kept phones in place on the wireless charging pad. Cloth seats were standard on SE and SEL trims, while N-Line featured a leather/suede combination, and Limited had H-Tex leatherette. Ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on the Limited trim, with heated front seats available on N-Line and SEL with the Convenience Package.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet when folded. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, with 38.3 inches of headroom. The front seats provided a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was reach- and height-adjustable. The drive selector was relocated to a stalk on the steering column, creating a spacious feel. In-car storage was excellent, with numerous shelves, trays, and cubbies. SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims featured cloth upholstery, while N Line S and N Line had Alcantara sport seats, and Limited had H-Tex leatherette. Heated front seats were standard on SEL Convenience and above, with ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel exclusive to the Limited trim. Heating and ventilation progressed from single-zone air conditioning on the SE to dual-zone automatic climate control on higher trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display standard across the lineup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available on lower trims, with an OTA update promised for higher trims. N-Line and Limited trims included wireless device charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The upgraded stereo system was provided by Bose, and every Kona had two USB-C ports in the front and two at the back for rear-seat passengers. SE and SEL trims had a 4.2-inch driver-information display, while dual 12.3-inch screens were optional with the Convenience Package and included with N-Line and Limited trims. OTA update capability and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona continued with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. SEL Convenience trim and above included wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai's digital key. SE and SEL trims had a 4.2-inch color multi-information display, while SEL Convenience and above had a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. N Line and Limited trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup. Built-in navigation was available on SEL Convenience, N Line, and Limited trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for OTA software updates, standard across all trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came with standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, and adaptive cruise control was included on N-Line and Limited trims. The Limited trim also featured Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist and intuitive operation.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona included standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning. SEL Convenience and above added Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. Limited trim featured parking assistance tech like Parking Distance Warning and Surround View Monitor. All Konas had six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.