Comparing Subcompact SUVs: 2025 Kona vs 2024 Kona vs 2023 Kona

The Hyundai Kona has boasted refinements and upgrades each model year since its debut. 

The 2025 model year marks the second year of the Kona’s second generation, building upon this compact SUV’s redesigned 2024 model. 

As new car prices continue to climb, many drivers are looking at multiple model years to find the best value. Here, we’ll take a look at how the 2025 Kona’s updates stack up against its immediate predecessor and the last model of the first generation, helping you decide whether the latest features justify the higher price tag or if a slightly older model might better suit your needs.

Vehicles 

(All Base Level: SE FWD)

2025 Kona

2024 Kona

2023 Kona

MSRP*

$24,350

$24,250

$22,140

Body Style

2-Row SUV Sport

2-Row SUV Sport

2-Row SUV Sport

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

(AWD options available)

Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

(AWD options available)

Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

(AWD options available)

Engine

Regular Unleaded I-4 2.0 Liter

Regular Unleaded I-4 2.0 Liter

Regular Unleaded I-4 2.0 Liter

Transmission

Automatic CVT

Automatic CVT

Automatic CVT

Horsepower

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque

132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

Fuel Type

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Fuel (MPG)

29 city / 34 hwy

29 city / 34 hwy

30 city / 35 hwy

Tank Capacity

12.4 gallon

12.4 gallon

13.2 gallon

Space & Comfort

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

Passenger Volume 

101.2 cu.ft.

101.2 cu.ft.

94.1 cu.ft.

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 

(all rear seats folded down)

63.7 cu.ft.

63.7 cu.ft.

45.8 cu.ft.

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 

(second-row seats are upright)

25.5 cu.ft.

25.5 cu.ft.

19.2 cu.ft.

Trunk Volume

25.5 cu.ft.

25.5 cu.ft.

19.2 cu.ft.

Front Headroom

39.9 in.

39.9 in.

39.6 in.

Front Legroom

41.7 in.

41.7 in.

41.5 in.

Second Headroom

38.3 in.

38.3 in.

37.8 in.

Second Legroom

38.2 in.

38.2 in.

35.2 in.

Size & Additional Specs

Height

62.2 in.

62.2 in

61 in.

Length

171.3 in.

171.3 in.

165.6 in.

Overall Width (w/o mirrors)

71.9 in.

71.9 in.

70.9 in.

Turning Diameter

34.8 ft.

34.8 ft.

34.8 ft.

Wheelbase

104.7 in.

104.7 in.

102.4 in.

Curb Weight 

3005 lbs.

3005 lbs.

2899 lbs.

Wheels

17” wheels

17 alloy wheels

17 in wheels

Drive Modes

Normal, Sport, Eco, Snow, Comfort & Eco+.

Normal, Sport, Eco, Snow, Comfort & Eco+.

Normal, Sport, Eco, Snow, Comfort & Eco+.

Trim Levels

SE, SEL, N Line, & Limited.

SE, SEL, N Line, & Limited.

SE, SEL, N Line, Limited, & N.

Recognition

Advantages & Disadvantages

2025 Kona Advantages

  • Roomy interior
  • Impressive fuel economy
  • Generous standard features

Possible Disadvantage

  • A cabin can be considered plain

2024 Kona Advantages

  • Decent fuel economy
  • Spacious cabin 
  • Generous standard features

Possible Disadvantage

  • Powertrain options aren’t exciting

2023 Kona Advantages

  • Ride and handling are balanced
  • Plenty of standard driver-assistance features
  • The infotainment system is easy to use

Possible Disadvantage

  • Rear-passenger room is not as generous as competitors

New Features

2025 Kona New Features:

  • No significant changes are expected for model year 2025

2024 Kona New Features:

  • Interior and exterior redesign
  • Expanded passenger room and cargo space
  • The debut of new technology features
  • The 2024 model kicks off the second Kona generation

2023 Kona Features:

  • Blind-spot intervention and rear cross-traffic intervention were made standard
  • Heated mirrors now come standard
  • Kona N Line gets many features from the previous Tech package as standard
  • The last model year of the first Kona generation introduced in 2018

Best Trim

To get the best bang for your buck, we recommend the Kona SE with the Convenience Package, which starts at $25,700 MSRP. It is equipped with a sleek 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation. It also offers unmatched convenience with the Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch, which allows you to open and lock your vehicle remotely. This feature is not offered in base-level trim levels like SE and SEL. 

Trims Levels MSRP

SE $24,350 MSRP

SEL $25,700 MSRP

SEL Convenience $27,900 MSRP

N Line S $29,350 MSRP

N Line $30,900 MSRP

Limited $31,900 MSRP

Get to Know the 2025 Hyundai Kona 

Performance

  • Performance Options
    • Base Engine:
      • 2.0-liter four-cylinder
      • Front-wheel drive
      • Gets an EPA-estimated 31 MPG combined (city/highway)
    • Upgraded Engine (Test Model):
      • Turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder
      • All-wheel drive available
      • 190 horsepower, 195 lb.-ft. of torque
  • Acceleration
    • 0 to 60 MPH in 7.8 seconds (one of the quickest in its class)
  • Fuel Efficiency
    • Turbocharged 1.6-liter engine:
      • Achieves an EPA-estimated 26 MPG combined 
      • Real-world tests netted an average of 27.6 MPG
    • Base 2.0-liter engine:
      • Gets an EPA-estimated 31 MPG combined
  • Braking Performance
    • Emergency braking capability is strong
  • Competitor Comparison
    • Offers a more powerful engine option than many competitors, including the Toyota Corolla Cross

Technology

  • Displays and Connectivity
    • Screens:
      • Optional twin 12.3-inch displays offer crisp visuals
    • Smartphone Integration:
      • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on models not equipped with navigation
      • Models with navigation come with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Phone Projection vs. Navigation:
      • Phone projection (CarPlay/Android Auto) is simpler than the native navigation system
  • Charging Options
    • There are two USB ports in each row making it easy to charge multiple devices at once
    • An optional wireless charging pad is available
  • Driver Assist Features
    • Standard Safety Tech:
      • Blind-spot warning
      • Lane-keeping assistance
      • Adaptive cruise control
      • Automatic emergency braking
  • Semi-Autonomous Driving
    • SUV can:
      • Stay centered in a lane with minimal steering input
      • Automatically adjust the speed using adaptive cruise control

  

Appearance 

Interior

  • Seating
    • The power-adjustable driver’s seat may not provide enough support on long drives
    • Heated seats are standard on some trims, optional on others
    • The Limited trim includes ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel
    • Select trims offer premium N Line Black Alcantara® or H-Tex® leatherette seating surfaces
  • Driving Position
    • The upright seating position provides an SUV-like feel
    • Height is ideal for easy entry and exit
  • Cabin Space
    • The interior can comfortably seat up to five adults
    • Cargo space:
      • 25.5 cubic feet with seats up
      • 63.7 cubic feet with rear seats folded
      • Equipped with a stowable cargo cover for taller items
    • The open center console is ideal for purses and medium-sized items, while there is additional storage in the glove box and center bin
  • Child Seat Installation
    • Four LATCH anchors are available for simple and secure child seat installation
  • Ambient Lighting
    • 64-color ambient lighting on N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims
  • Sunroof:
    • Optional power tilt-and-slide sunroof for natural light and extra fresh air
  • Ride Quality
    • The ride is smooth on highways but may feel too soft on bumpy roads.
    • The cabin stays quiet, even at highway speeds
  • Interior Colors
    • Black
    • Gray

Exterior

  • Design and Aerodynamics
    • Styling:
      • The sharp, angular lines and a wide mesh grille create an aerodynamic look
      • Black wheel arch cladding adds a touch of ruggedness
      • Rear-lip spoiler and active grille shutters reduce drag
    • Wheels:
      • Various sizes of trim-specific alloy wheels
    • Moonroof/Sunroof:
      • Optional power tilt-and-slide sunroof for natural light and fresh air
  • Exterior Colors
    • Abyss Black Pearl
    • Ultimate Red Metallic.
    • Mirage Green
    • Cyber Gray Metallic
    • Soultronic Orange Pearl
    • Atlas White
    • Neoteric Yellow
    • Ecotronic Gray Pearl
    • Denim Blue Pearl
    • Two-Tone Option:
      • N Line trim includes a black roof for a unique two-tone paint job

Safety

  • Safety Ratings
  • Collision Avoidance
    • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA):
      • Uses camera and radar to detect potential collisions and provides both visual and audio alerts
      • Applies emergency braking if necessary
      • Warning settings are customizable
    • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA):
      • Uses radar and camera to monitor blind spots
      • Provides visual and audible warnings and can apply brakes to help avoid collisions
      • Warning timing and volume are customizable
    • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist:
      • Alerts and assists in avoiding collisions when backing up
  • Driver Assistance
    • Lane Keeping Assist (LKA):
      • Uses a sensor to monitor lane markers
      • Provides warnings and can apply steering correction
      • Effective between 40 MPH and 110 MPH
    • Lane Following Assist:
      • Helps keep the vehicle centered in your lane
    • Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go:
      • Automatically adjusts speed based on traffic conditions
      • Maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead
    • Driver Attention Alert (DAA):
      • Monitors the driver’s focus and alerts if drowsiness is detected
      • Notifies you when the vehicle ahead starts moving
  • Parking and Convenience
    • Rear View Monitor with Parking Guidance:
      • Provides visual assistance for parking
    • Safe Exit Assist:
      • Warns passengers of approaching traffic before opening doors
  • Additional Features
    • Tire Pressure Monitoring System:
      • Monitors individual tire pressure
    • Power Window Lock-Out Button:
      • Controls power windows to prevent accidental operation
    • Rear Child Safety Locks:
      • Provides added safety for rear passengers
    • LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors:
      • Secures child seats safely

Hyundai Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

  • New Vehicle Limited Warranty
    • 5 years or 60,000 miles
  • Powertrain Limited Warranty
    • 10 years or 100,000 miles
  • Anti-Perforation
    • 7 years/unlimited miles
  • 24/7 Roadside Assistance
    • 5 years/unlimited miles
  • Complimentary Maintenance
    • 3 years or 36,000 miles

View America’s Best Auto Warranty

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Wolfchase Hyundai believes the information and specifications on this website to be correct at the time of publishing.

Model specifications provided may vary based on selected trim, options, and installed accessories. Specifications, standard features, options, fabrics, accessories, colors, and other features related to the vehicles are subject to change without notice. Values are based on MSRP and exclude taxes, fees, and adjustments. Please visit certified dealers for more accurate pricing.

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