Rank
What's New for 2025?
The Kona receives no notable changes this year, but Hyundai has dropped the price on the more desirable 1.6T models by about $1,500 to start.
FAST FACTS
"Per usual for Hyundai, the Kona gives you a lot of features and functionality for the money. That includes the rare-for-this-segment option of a frisky turbocharged engine, which we recommend stretching for if you can, as the base engine is no great shakes. The tech is super-impressive either way — even the base Kona comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that gives the cabin an upscale feel. Closely related to the Kia Seltos, the Kona is another highly competent Korean subcompact SUV to consider, although its styling is clearly an acquired taste."—Ranked #2 out of 18 Subcompact SUVs
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Hyundai Kona that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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The base Kona provides a lot of features for the money, but the 2.0-liter engine and CVT are far from Hyundai's best in the powertrain department.
The last thing the Kona's lethargic base powertrain needs is another 200 pounds to haul around, but that's the impact of adding AWD. Not surprisingly, fuel economy takes a hit, too. We'd advise paying less for the front-drive Kona 2.0 and spending some of your savings on a nice set of snow tires if necessary.
The turbo engine is the one to have in the Kona lineup, whether you get it in the sporty N Line trim (which comes with a body kit of sorts that adds a spoiler) or the more restrained Limited (which costs a grand extra).
Some small SUVs don't take on a lot of additional weight when AWD is specified, but the Kona 1.6T AWD packs on more than 200 pounds. We'd think seriously about pocketing the $1,500 premium and enjoying better acceleration from the turbo four-cylinder engine with the standard front-drive setup.
What are the different versions of the 2025 Kona, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2025 Kona specs and model data.
| Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Hyundai Kona 2.0 Front-Wheel Drive | $24,350 | Gas | 31 | 147 hp | 132 lb-ft |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona 2.0 All-Wheel Drive | $25,850 | Gas | 28 | 147 hp | 132 lb-ft |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Front-Wheel Drive | $29,350 | Gas | 28 | 190 hp | 195 lb-ft |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona 1.6T All-Wheel Drive | $30,850 | Gas | 26 | 190 hp | 195 lb-ft |
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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