In a very popular segment like the subcompact SUV category, standing out is important when you’re trying to get ahead. It’s pretty limited what carmakers can do to stay within the supplement, as far as size goes – so doing it with style can make the difference. When it comes to the 2025 Hyundai Kona, Hyundai brings style in spades.

A pair of engines are available under the hood of the 2025 Kona. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit, putting out 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, responsive and reliable around town and cruise-friendly on the highway. The upgraded turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine raises those power numbers to 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, turning it into a perky, zippy ride that provides plenty of confidence on on-ramps and merging. Both are available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. This leads to a fuel economy range that goes from 24 MPG city and 29 MPG highway for the turbocharged all-wheel drive version, to 28 MPG city and 35 MPG highway for the base model with the 2.0-liter and front-wheel drive.

The bold, futuristic exterior of the 2025 Hyundai Kona stands out from the crowd with a thin slash for lighting on the front fascia, wrapping around to swooping swells in the sheet metal. The tapering roofline leads to another thin wrap of lighting across the rear. An available roofline spoiler in the N Line versions adds a sporty touch.

Inside the Kona, Hyundai makes good use of the footprint, with seating for five that includes 38.3 inches of headroom and 38.2 inches of leg room in the second row of seats. There’s plenty of space provided for cargo as well, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 63.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, making it one of the largest interiors in the class.

As futuristic as the exterior appearance is, the interior gets a high-tech treatment to match. While base models have a 4.2-inch gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, higher-end models have a pair of 12.3-inch touchscreens that sit behind one wide pane on the front dash – one as a reconfigurable gauge display, the other for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard, as is HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio. Dual front and dual rear USB outlets are standard, and wireless Qi charging is available.

The Hyundai SmartSense suite of driver assistance features is standard on all models. This includes blind-spot collision avoidance warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped) and Cyclist Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), and Rear Occupant Alert (ROA). A blind-spot view monitor and highway driving assist are available, and the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can be upgraded to include junction turning detection and direct oncoming detection.

Six different trim levels are offered on the 2025 Hyundai Kona, featuring a variety of configurations.

The base SE model sits on 17-inch wheels, and remote keyless entry makes it easy to get into and get going – it also has remote start to get climate control going ahead of time. Cloth upholstery is standard, and the driver’s seat has six-way manual adjustability. A six-speaker stereo system provides tunes.

Stepping up to the SEL trim adds dual automatic temperature control with second-row air vents. The driver’s seat gets eight-way power adjustability, while the steering wheel and shift knob are wrapped with leather. Outside, the wheels are upgraded to 18-inch versions, and roof rails are added.

While the Convenience package used to be additional on top of the SEL, for 2025 Hyundai simply created the SEL Convenience trim. This trim includes heated front seats for comfort and LED interior lights for ambiance. It also gets Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, and the gauge cluster is upgraded to a 12.3-inch version. For device charging, wireless charging for Qi-supported devices is provided.

Featuring the turbocharged engine, the N Line S trim bears similarities to the SEL trim. On top of the amenities in that trim, the N Line S gets heated front seats, wrapped in N Line Black Alcantara Sport Combination upholstery. It also gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and wireless charging. It sits on 19-inch N Line Design wheels and is clad in N Line badging, with a unique front and rear fascia, and twin-tip exhaust.

Adding more goodies on top of the engine upgrade, the N Line trim builds on the N Line S by adding navigation and the Bose Premium Audio system with 8 speakers. It also features a WiFi hotspot for connectivity. A power tilt-and-slide sunroof with sunshade opens up the interior.

While it doesn’t get the N Line title, the Limited trim keeps the turbocharged engine. This trim features 19-inch alloy wheels and is wrapped with premium black body cladding, Inside, seating is trimmed in H-Tex Leatherette, and the seats themselves are ventilated. A Surround View Monitor provides drivers with extra sensors and visibility around the vehicle.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona packs quite a bit in a small package and continues to impress as one of the top subcompact SUVs on the market today – come check out the variety of trims and see which one works best for your needs!

Schedule a test drive at Delaney Hyundai of Indiana in Indiana, PA today!