Welcome back, everyone! If you’re new here, I’m Andrew, and I do new car, truck, and SUV reviews for dal-motors.com. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to the brand-new 2025 Hyundai Kona, courtesy of Jackon Balo Hyundai in York, PA. If you want more information on their inventory, check their website.
In this post, we’ll explore the new trim levels, features, and performance specs of the 2025 Hyundai Kona, which is packed with exciting updates and still offers some of the best warranties in the business.
New Trim Levels and Warranty
The 2025 Hyundai Kona introduces several new trim levels that cater to various needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for something basic or more high-end, there’s a Kona for everyone.
Here’s a breakdown of the trims:
- SE: Starting at $24,300
- SEL: Starting at $25,700
- SEL Convenience (new for 2025): Starting at $27,900
- N Line S (new for 2025): Starting at $29,300
- N Line: Starting at $30,900
- Limited: Starting at $31,900
If you need all-wheel drive, you can add it to any trim for an additional $1,500.
Hyundai continues to offer its incredible warranty with the 2025 Kona. You get three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance, a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty—America’s best, by the way. These perks are fantastic for those looking to save money on long-term vehicle ownership.
Engine Options and Performance
Hyundai offers two engine options for the 2025 Kona:
- 2.0-Liter Naturally Aspirated Inline 4-Cylinder
This engine powers the SE and SEL trims, delivering 147 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 132 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 RPM. It’s paired with Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) and offers a 0-60 time of about 9.2 seconds.- Fuel Economy: 29 MPG city and 34 MPG highway for front-wheel-drive trims; 27 MPG city and 29 MPG highway for all-wheel-drive trims.
- 1.6-Liter Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
Found in the N Line and Limited trims, this engine cranks out 190 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 195 lb-ft of torque at just 1,700 RPM. The turbocharged model gets an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, allowing for a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds.- Fuel Economy: 26 MPG city and 32 MPG highway for front-wheel-drive; 24 MPG city and 29 MPG highway for all-wheel-drive.
The turbocharged engine delivers solid power, but it does suffer from some noticeable turbo lag when you initially press the gas. However, once you get higher up in the RPMs, the Kona moves quickly, so merging onto highways should be a breeze. I’d personally recommend the turbocharged engine for those looking for a bit more punch in their driving experience.
Driving Modes and Paddle Shifters
The 2025 Kona comes with several drive modes to tailor the driving experience: Normal, Sport, and Snow. These modes adjust throttle response, steering sensitivity, and shift points. There’s also an all-wheel-drive lock button, useful for navigating snow or slippery conditions.
As for the paddle shifters, they do exist, but there’s a slight delay when you use them. Unfortunately, there’s no full manual shift mode, which takes away from their functionality. They might come in handy for engine braking, but for everyday use, I don’t see myself relying on them much.
Acceleration and Braking
While the turbocharged engine provides decent acceleration, there is some turbo lag before it kicks in fully. Once it does, the Kona gets up to speed with ease. The braking setup varies depending on the drivetrain:
- Front-wheel-drive trims feature 11-inch ventilated front discs.
- All-wheel-drive trims upgrade to 12-inch ventilated front discs, offering improved stopping power.
- Rear discs measure 11.2 inches across all trims.
The 60-0 stopping distance is 129 feet, which isn’t the best on paper, but the braking feel is generally fine, if a little soft.
Suspension and Handling
The suspension configuration varies between the front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models:
- Front-wheel-drive models come with a torsion beam rear axle.
- All-wheel-drive models feature an independent multi-link rear suspension for enhanced ride quality and handling.
The 2025 Kona delivers a smoother ride than many of its competitors in this class. The handling is decent but not overly sporty, with steering feel varying based on the drive mode you’re in. While Sport mode does add some weight to the steering, it still leans on the looser side overall.
Exterior Design
The 2025 Hyundai Kona definitely stands out with its aggressive design, especially in the Ultimate Red Metallic color with a contrasting black roof. LED projector headlights and daytime running lights come standard across all trims, along with automatic high beams.
One of the standout features is the active grille shutters, which open and close depending on the engine’s cooling needs. This feature not only improves aerodynamics but also gives the front-end a unique, high-tech look.
Interior and Cargo Space
Inside the 2025 Kona, you’ll find comfortable seating options:
- SE and SEL trims: Cloth seating.
- N Line trims: Alcantara/leatherette combo.
- Limited trims: Full leatherette seating.
You also get great tech features like a 12.3-inch color touchscreen with standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims like the N Line and Limited include an eight-speaker Bose sound system, while lower trims make do with a six-speaker setup.
As for cargo space, the Kona provides 25.5 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 63.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. LED cargo lighting, grocery hooks, and a spare tire (instead of a fix-a-flat) come standard, which are nice practical touches.
Technology and Safety
Hyundai does an excellent job with tech and safety. Here are some highlights:
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster (SEL Convenience trim and up)
- LED interior lighting (SEL Convenience trim and up)
- Wireless phone charging (SEL Convenience and up)
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert comes standard on all trims.
- Forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and driver attention warning come standard.
Safety-wise, the 2025 Hyundai Kona has earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, the highest rating possible, which is a big plus for families.
