Hyundai Kona
The 2025 Hyundai Kona is a recently redesigned small crossover SUV with an affordable price tag and an urban- or suburban-friendly design. The Kona seats five passengers and can provide up to 63.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity—enough for a college move or a weeklong camping trip. Buyers can choose between a basic or turbocharged engine and front- or all-wheel drive. With available dual 12.3-inch displays on the dash, the Kona is tech-forward and up-to-date, including support for wireless smartphone integration.
Explore the evolution of the Hyundai Kona
Get our expert take on used Hyundai Kona models, or view year-by-year changes.
Second generation Hyundai Kona
The Kona was completely redesigned for the 2024 model year, yielding a more spacious interior and a more sophisticated cabin experience than the first generation.
The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims use a 2.0-liter engine that offers an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined with front-wheel drive or 28 mpg combined with all-wheel drive
. Each trim step adds features, including heated front seats and dual 12.3-inch displays in the SEL Convenience trim.The sporty N Line and new-for-2025 N Line S trim feature a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined if you choose front-wheel drive or 26 mpg combined
with all-wheel drive. The N Line trims also feature heated Alcantara sport seats, available Bose® audio, and a power sunroof.The top Limited trim includes the turbocharged engine, a hands-free liftgate, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot monitoring, and heated and ventilated front seats.
Note that the Kona is also available as an electric vehicle, which is reviewed separately.
Model highlights
Standard or turbocharged engine
Front- or all-wheel drive
Automatic transmission
Available heated and ventilated front seats
Available dual 12.3-inch digital displays
First generation Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona was a hit because of its compact size, sporty road handling, and affordable price. Introduced in 2018, the Kona was available with a basic 2.0-liter engine or a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Both were paired with automatic transmissions and the buyer’s choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
For the first years of production, buyers could choose between the basic SE and SEL trims with the standard engine, or the Limited and Ultimate trims with the turbo engine and more luxury features. Inside, first-generation Konas came with a seven-inch or eight-inch touchscreen offering smartphone integration. The Ultimate trim came with a wireless device charging pad.
In 2021, the Kona added the Night Edition trim with the turbo engine and black exterior accents. A midcycle refresh in 2022 updated the Kona’s exterior styling, added standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and debuted the N Line and N trims, featuring the turbo engine and sporty interior accents.
Model highlights
Standard or turbocharged engine
Automatic transmission with front- or all-wheel drive
Seating for five passengers
Generous cargo capacity
Sporty N Line and N models added for 2022 model year
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2024 - 2025
2025 Hyundai Kona
2024 Hyundai Kona
Highlights
All-new Kona received a new design with more passenger and cargo space
2.0-liter four-cylinder and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines returned
Continuously variable automatic and new eight-speed automatic transmissions
New driver-assist features included blind-spot cameras, remote parking, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system
Kona N did not return
Touchscreen grew to 12.3 inches
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Previous generation from 2018 - 2023
2023 Hyundai Kona
Highlights
Blind-spot intervention and rear cross-traffic intervention became standard
Heated mirrors became standard
Kona N Line added many features formerly in Tech package
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2022 Hyundai Kona
Highlights
Revised exterior styling
More power for turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine
New sportier N Line trim level
New high-performance Kona N with 276-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and sport suspension
Reworked trim lineup with new features by model
All models got a standard eight-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
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2021 Hyundai Kona
Highlights
New Night Edition trim level with blackout interior and exterior trim
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2020 Hyundai Kona
Highlights
Adaptive cruise control standard on top Kona Ultimate
Minor equipment revisions
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2019 Hyundai Kona
Highlights
More available and standard driver-assist features
Minor equipment changes
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2018 Hyundai Kona
Highlights
All-new Kona debuted as an affordable crossover SUV with front- or all-wheel drive
Hyundai’s smallest crossover
2.0-liter four-cylinder and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines
Continuously variable automatic and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions
Seven-inch touchscreen
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Jeff Zurschmeide has been an automotive journalist for more than 20 years, covering the new car business as well as motorsports and industry news. He lives in Tillamook, Oregon, at the confluence of great roads, nice weather, and plenty of space for a collection of strange old automobiles.
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