2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD – Maximum Personality

By A.Giron | May 2, 2025

The subcompact SUV market is packed with options, but the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD stands out with a stylish design, smart tech, and refined features. Over the past week, We drove a Mirage Green Kona in top-trim Limited. It’s compact in size but rich in features, delivering a premium experience that exceeds expectations for the price.

Design & Exterior

The Mirage Green paint makes a statement — fresh, stylish, and perfectly matched to the Kona’s reshaped body. Hyundai’s latest design language brings a more athletic and upscale vibe. With LED lighting, 19-inch alloys, and sculpted bodywork, this small SUV looks confident and modern.

Interior & Comfort

Inside, the Kona Limited punches above its weight. Gray-on-gray leatherette, ambient lighting, and dual 12.3-inch displays give it a sleek, high-tech atmosphere. Materials and layout feel well-considered and premium.

The front seats are firm but supportive, great for commutes or longer drives. This generation adds more rear legroom and includes rear air vents — a thoughtful touch. Heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar, and a heated steering wheel all come standard, boosting comfort.

Technology & Infotainment

Hyundai is ahead of the curve on tech. The Kona’s 12.3-inch infotainment system is responsive and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ work seamlessly, and Bluelink® services add features like remote start and vehicle tracking.

A highlight: Digital Key 2 Touch — start and unlock the car with your phone. It’s the kind of feature usually reserved for luxury brands.

Performance & Driving Impressions

The Kona Limited packs a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder pushing 190 hp, paired with an 8-speed automatic and paddle shifters. It feels quick around town and stable in corners. The AWD system provides grip and confidence, and highway cruising is impressively quiet for the class.

Handling is responsive with a firm, Euro-inspired ride. Sport mode sharpens throttle response and adds a hint of extra engagement.

Fuel Economy

Rated at 26 MPG combined (24 city / 29 highway), the Kona Limited AWD is efficient for a turbocharged AWD vehicle. I averaged 27.1 MPG over the week in mixed conditions — slightly better than the EPA estimate. With a projected annual fuel cost around $2,000, it’s a solid balance of power and practicality.

Safety & Driver Assistance

The Kona Limited comes loaded with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite, including:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Keeping & Lane Following Assist
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Rear Occupant Alert

Add surround-view cameras and front/rear parking sensors, and you get a high-end safety experience in a compact SUV.

How the 2025 Kona Stacks Up Against the Competition

In a crowded segment, the Kona Limited AWD pulls ahead in key areas. Here’s how it compares:

Kona vs. Mazda CX-30

The CX-30 offers sharp handling and a quiet interior, but the Kona wins on tech. Its dual 12.3-inch displays, faster infotainment, and standard wireless smartphone integration give it the edge.

Kona vs. Honda HR-V

The HR-V is roomy but underpowered. Its 158-hp engine can’t match the Kona’s 190-hp turbo. Hyundai also packs in more advanced safety and driver aids.

Kona vs. Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross is reliable but plays it safe. The Kona feels more modern — with quicker acceleration, sharper design, and standout features like Digital Key 2 Touch.

Kona vs. Chevrolet Trax

The new Trax is budget-friendly, but lacks AWD. The Kona offers power, all-weather capability, and a more premium cabin, all at a competitive price.

Why the Kona Should Be Your Top Choice

The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD delivers:

• Class-leading tech with dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluelink
• Turbocharged performance that’s responsive and confident
• Bold, upscale styling inside and out
• Advanced safety features included as standard
• A 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty — one of the best in the industry

Price & Value

At a $35,005 including destination, the Kona Limited AWD is fully loaded. Aside from $210 for optional floor mats, everything is standard. Compared to rivals, it delivers more features, comfort, and safety for the money — without creeping into luxury-brand territory.

Final Verdict

The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD is the subcompact SUV for drivers who want more — more style, more tech, more substance. It’s not just a smart buy in its class — it raises the bar for what a small crossover can deliver.

Carsfera Rating: 9/10
Strengths: striking design, top-tier tech, upscale interior
Weakness: cargo space trails some competitors.