After a redesign in 2024, Hyundai’s 2025 Kona AWD subcompact crossover includes a host of safety features and a stealth-like look. And for snowy weather or mild off-roads, Kona boasts an 8.3-inch ground clearance.
Kona is offered in SE, SEL, N Line, N Line S, Limited and an EV model if you’re so inclined to go green.
The Kona Limited we were privileged to test, has an eye-catching front end with its thin horizontal running light stretched across the width of its nose. It takes on the appearance of an EV but has shark eyes headlamps that are positioned lower. The back end follows through with a taillight treatment that equals the front light bar. And it’s a pocket rocket with its 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder.
As an AWD crossover, Kona has a low 18-inch step-in into the cabin. Once in, you’re treated to Heated/ventilated H-Tex leather-type front seats and dash embellished with an expansive 12.3-inch digital instrument gauge cluster along with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that together appear to be a single 25-inch long display.
The infotainment display portion comes with voice recognition, Blue Link w/Wi-Fi connect, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and satellite radio plus Hyundai’s Digital Key that allows smartphones to be used to remotely lock/unlock the doors, start the engine, even sharing the key with family members. In addition, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist applies the brakes to help prevent an accident if encountering another vehicle near your blind spots when the attempting to change lanes.
HVAC controls have their own digital display and are easy to view and use. Guess I’m old school but hard switches on the Kona are my preference over infotainment display HVAC selections.
Unique is the column-mounted gear selector that has a twist function for gear selection. Twist it forward for Drive mode and reverse twist for Reverse and a push button on the end for Park. It takes some getting used to coming from a console mounted selector. But once acclimating to it, it’s actually easy and quick to use. And it’s not necessary to look at it to insure of your selection as there are only two choices plus a push for Park.
Sharing the console with the wireless cell phone charger is a rotary drive mode switch for Normal, Sport, Snow and a Lock mode, the latter a desirable feature when the going gets tough. And it’s a feature that is rare on comparable crossovers, even more expensive ones.
Seldom mentioned are cup holders. But Hyundai interior engineers designed out/in swiveling holders that when not needed for cups, can be rotated-in (retracted) to form a large storage bin. A really nifty design.
Heated/ventilated front seats are sumptuously padded and nicely supportive. The back seats have
decent leg room ample head room that can comfortably seat two large adults.
Back in the cargo area, that has a hands-free liftgate with auto open plus a low 28-inch lift over. With the rear seatbacks upright, there’s an appreciable 25.5 cubic feet of storage space that measures 33 inches deep, 42.5 wide and 30 high. Flip the 60/40 seatbacks and capacity increases to 63.7 cubic feet for 62 inches of loading depth.
Powertrain wise, the small but potent 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that generates 190-hp and 195 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 24 city and 29 highway mpg when coupled to the standard 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Paddles are nice to have when for downshifting on steep downhills and to alleviate riding the brakes.
As said, the combination turns the Kona into a pocket rocket from a standing stop to highway passing power. And it’s especially so in Sport mode when the transmission holds shift points longer that results in quick gear changes.
There are two commendable features one of which is a chime and visual warning when it’s senses you’re distracted from the road ahead. There’s also a visual and audible alert when a car in front of you at a stop light pulls out and you may be looking away.
Ride wise on Kumho 19-inch tires is smooth and quiet. In fact, at idle the engine is almost silent. There’s virtually no discernible body lean in sharp tight turns and it remains planted in those maneuvers. Kona is a breeze to park and it easily fits into tight parking places.
Kona is fun and enjoyable to drive during the week we were privileged to have it. I hated to return it to the transporter.
Price wise, Kona is one of the more affordable AWD compacts and it comes generously equipped with important safety features such as forward collision avoidance, blind spot collision warning, rear cross traffic collision avoidance alert, lane keep assist, safe exist warning and driver attention warning (senses when your face isn’t on the road ahead). Also new are Over-the-Air software updates via Hyundai’s OTA system.
Along with a sunroof, Bose premium audio, Kona had but one extra cost option for carpeted floor mats ($210) that took the base price of $33, 400 to $35, 005 with delivery. That’s considerably lower than the $47,000 average price of a new car today according to Kelly Blue Book and data from TrueCar.
Added to that, Kona has the best new car warranty in the business with 5 year/60K miles new vehicle, 10/100K powertrain, 7/Unlimited anti-perforation, 3/36K complimentary maintenance, and 5/Unlimited roadside assistance coverages. Compare that to those offered by any of the Big Three and other car makers and it’s a no brainer.
With all these accolades and value, Hyundai Kona AWD would make an ideal all-weather commuter car, a college student car or a second car if you have a pickup truck or larger SUV.
