This small crossover has a surprisingly delightful interior, but it's not enough to properly compete
2025 Hyundai Kona Limited review by The Road Beat
Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman
Many will likely never even give a moment's consideration to Hyundai's Kona, and that's too bad considering that same group may never know how much this little crossover has matured. Tested here in its top-tier Limited trim, it’s a nice little car that feels a class above a Toyota and past affordable Hyundais and Kias. However, it’s still not quite enough to compete with the best of the best, and with a price tag of $35,005 all-in, it’s no longer the value-packed option you might expect from Hyundai—a brand historically known for its affordability. Take away their number one key strength, and there isn't enough to justify the Limited's price tag.
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While I may have just criticized the Kona Limited’s overall value, it’s undeniably well-equipped. It features all the safety systems you could ask for, surround-view cameras for parking, all-wheel drive, a large 12-inch central display, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a decent Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (finally—no more required wired connections like in previous Hyundais).
Faux-leather seats and other touchpoints have a soft, comfortable feel, enough to convincingly mimic genuine leather. Upon opening the door, this interior is immediately welcoming and thoughtfully designed with everyday amenities and ergonomics —an impressive step forward for Hyundai. Just a few years ago, their interiors felt far less refined, so it’s clear the brand is committed to continuous improvement.
Looks are always subjective, but I think the Kona’s sharp and unique styling will appeal to a sizable audience. Besides being distinct, it's handsome and even - dare I say it - almost cute, helping the Hyundai stand out in a sea of bland competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross. The Denim Blue Pearl paint is also a great shade of blue —reminiscent of your favorite pair of Levi's.
Under the hood, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers 190 horsepower to all four wheels. In a small, 170-inch-long car like this, that power is more than adequate for normal accelerations and overtaking on the freeway with a welcoming turbocharged midrange grunt. The eight-speed automatic transmission does a fine job of keeping you in the right gear, and fuel economy stood at a respectable 27 MPG after a week of mixed driving conditions. That’s right in line with equivalent offerings from Toyota and Honda, though the Kona offers a bit more punch when you ask for it.
When turns loom ahead, the Kona is not exactly a willing dance partner, which isn’t surprising given its purpose and positioning. That said, I appreciated the tight and responsive steering from the leather-wrapped wheel, and overall, the handling is commendable for a mainstream compact crossover. While it understeers and can get sloppy when pushed to its moderate limits, it feels perfectly capable during normal day-to-day driving and easily capable of scaring unassuming passengers. The ride quality is decent across a variety of road surfaces, also making it comfortable for your back and bottom for everyday use.
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The Kona isn’t without its flaws, and a few key issues ultimately detract from the otherwise positive overall experience. While the engine delivers reasonable power for most drivers, its throttle response at low speeds is frustratingly poor. Finding the sweet spot between “not too slow” and “not too fast” when setting off can be tricky, and the car often lurches or jolts when pulling away from stop signs as a result. Conversely, pressing too lightly on the throttle results in going nowhere, as if you've stalled. It’s an issue that you can adapt to over time, but you shouldn’t have to—basic drivability should be intuitive from the start in a brand new car. The culprit likely is the throttle mapping, which struggles to balance responsiveness with the engine’s reliance on forced induction to make any reasonable sense of forward progress.
Four-cylinder engines aren't renowned for sound, and the Hyundai is no exception with its unpleasant aural experience. It’s loud and coarse, particularly when climbing steep freeway grades where the powertrain requires heavy throttle. While the transmission shifts smoothly, the shift controls have been relocated to a stalk on the steering column., and this setup feels flimsy and awkward at times, even if it does free up space in the center console. There also seems to be a lack of response when switching between reverse and drive, as on more than one occasion, I found myself backing out of a parking space, shifting to drive, and then felt the car continue rolling backwards momentarily. To avoid this quirk, it’s best to come to a complete and full stop when switching between drive and reverse.
The H-Tex seats are comfortable and convincing in their faux-leather presentation, but the Kona’s overall refinement is hindered by intrusive road noise on the highway. Combine that with the engine’s grating sound under load (and it needs lots of load to maintain speed up grades) and the experience becomes more annoying than it should be—especially for a vehicle at this price point. While this level of noise might be acceptable in a $25,000 Hyundai, it’s less forgivable in a $35,000 Limited model that otherwise feels quite considerate.
Compelling alternatives
Hyundai has done an admirable job making the Kona stand out and appeal to a wider audience, but there are two key rivals that offer a superior everyday package: Mazda’s CX-30 and Honda's HR-V. Both are quieter on the move, with Mazda's offering boasts improved driving dynamics and offers a significantly more powerful turbocharged engine option, along with a genuine luxury feel in its higher trims. It’s so good that it’s difficult to recommend alternatives.
Honda’s HR-V, on the other hand, provides a comfortably practical and highly spacious interior at a lower price. GMC’s Terrain, Chevrolet’s Trax, and Volkswagen’s Taos are also worthy competitors, with the Taos in particular seeing significant improvements this year.
While the Kona looks distinct (and good) and comes loaded with features, the high price of the Limited trim is a sticking point that cannot be undone. This is a good car overall, but it feels like Hyundai is relying too heavily on its bold styling to attract buyers and forgot the one thing people value most in a Hyundai: Value.
2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD
Price as-tested: $35,005
Pros: Good looks; Decent interior
Cons: Noisy powertrain; It costs how much?
Basic specifications:
Engine and Performance:
Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 195 lb-ft @ 1,700-4,500 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) standard; HTRAC All-Wheel Drive (AWD) optional
Fuel Economy:
AWD: 24 City / 29 Highway / 26 Combined MPG
Road Beat real world average: 27 MPG
Dimensions:
171-inches long
104-inch wheelbase
63-inches high
72-inches wide
3,500 pounds
26 cubic-feet of cargo storage
Interior Features:
Seating: H-Tex™ leatherette-trimmed seats
Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Audio: Bose premium sound system
Climate Control: Dual-zone automatic temperature control
Additional Features: Heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel
Safety and Driver Assistance:
Standard Features: Hyundai SmartSense safety suite, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning
Additional Features: Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Surround View Monitor (SVM)
Exterior Features:
Wheels: 19-inch alloy wheels
Lighting: LED headlights and Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Sunroof: Power tilt-and-slide
Liftgate: Hands-free smart liftgate with auto open
Pricing:
Starting MSRP: $31,800 (excluding freight charges, tax, title, and license fees)
Price as-tested: $35,005
More photos of the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD
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