Hyundai is out to prove that EVs can be a viable part of its sales plans. The Ioniq 5, 6, and the upcoming Ioniq 9 are providing a glimpse into how the company intends to integrate these models into its broader vehicle lineup with technology and range leading the way. However, other models will also command their fair share of attention. One of these models is the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric which is supposed to provide compact CUV buyers an electrified alternative in a segment of the market that’s still hotly contested.Â
Hyundai is hoping the Kona EV can continue to be a valuable foot soldier in the segment, but can it still deliver the range and technology that customers want in an evolving market that’s currently going through uncertain market conditions?
Kona EV stands out with its own styling tweaks
The major update for 2025 is the addition of a new N Line variant with that model being placed just below the range-topping Limited model in the trim ladder. Like its gasoline-powered counterpart, the N Line gets sporty touches including a redesigned front bumper, 19-inch wheels, and stylish side skirts. While we get to wait another day for our chance to experience the N Line, the Limited we drove still proved to be a stylish CUV. Limited models clearly go for subtlety with the front end adopting a clean look with the wraparound lightbar and smoothed-out grille panel giving the EV better aerodynamics than its gasoline-powered counterpart.
The side profile is shared with other Kona models with the rear styling being carried over from the gas-powered model. The EV benefits from a platform that was designed from the ground up to comply with the needs of an EV with the platform allowing Hyundai designers to craft a CUV that still has strong family ties to the ICE model but packages the battery and electric powertrain in a way that still provides a solid benefit. The winter snow our tester experienced did little to mute its curb appeal and the white stuff also accented some of its inner personality though some paint colors (including the bright yellow) help the Kona pop more to the eye.
Comfort and tech define Kona EV cabin
The interior is carried over mostly unchanged but that’s not a bad thing since the EV still benefits from some of the changes Hyundai made to improve usability in 2024. A floating center console allowed interior designers to open up more space which helps boost the amount of leg and knee room that front and rear passengers get to experience. Ambient lighting helps create an upscale atmosphere with the moody lighting making the Limited’s cabin feel more personable at night. The updated steering wheel feels good in the hands but it still takes a moment or two to get used to the odd shape.
The rear cargo area offers room for bulky items and luggage but unlike other EVs, the front-mounted frunk is small and is mainly used to store the charging cables. Technology also continues to be a pillar of excellence for the Kona EV with our tester arriving with two 12.3-inch screens that serve as the instrumentation and the infotainment system. The infotainment system side of the coin features fast software and a logical menu layout with Hyundai providing several EV exclusive menus that allow owners to see the state of charge, how efficient they are being when out on the road, and other items. Wireless AppleCarPLay and AANdorid Auto are standard with the Android Auto in our tester doing a good job of working with our older Samsung phone. A WiFi hotspot is so available.
EV powertrain is ready for the urban jungle
All Kona Elecrics are front-wheel drive and are powered by a single electric motor that is offered in two tunes depending on the trim level involved. The base EV gets a setup that makes 133 hp but buyers that go for the N Line or a Limited model like our example get a beefed-up version of the motor that makes 201 hp.
While the beefier motor doesn’t mean that the Kona Electric will be a performance model anytime soon, we actually recommend it for buyers that want more oomph in acceleration with the extra power allowing the Kona Electric to have a commendable amount of pep for freeway passing and other high-speed maneuvers. Handling is competent but the suspension here is clearly tuned towards comfort and our tester had no problem reminding us of this fact when put through corners with the wallowy ride and the light steering discouraging us from pushing the EV too far out of its comfort zone. Â
Hyundai offers two battery packs on the Koan Electric with the base 48.6-kWh battery pack allowing the CUV to get 200 miles of range on a single charge. Our tester arrived with the bigger 64.8 kWh battery pack and while cold Michigan weather did cause us to not see the full 260 miles of range that Hyundai says the pack is capable of doing, we still managed to see 230 to 240 miles of range during our time with it which is still pretty good with our area of town having the unique distinction of having a large charging bank of stations courtesy of General Motors which allowed us to get the EV charged without moving too far away from home. This charging bank also has two fast charge stations with our tester matching Hyundai’s claim that the battery can go from 10 to 80% charged in 43 minutes with the time being used to get some dinner at a nearby diner while the EV was getting juice.Â
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2025 Hyundai Kona starts at $32,875 for the base SE model with the SEL pushing the figure up slightly to just over $36,000. The N Line and the Limited serve as the two personality trims in the family with the spicy-looking N Line starting at $38,275. Meanwhile, if you move up into a range-topping Limited model like our example, the base sticker goes over $41,000 with our tester getting some minor options that caused the final sticker to go over $42,000 with all pricing not including any fees and potential green credits.
This pricing ladder allows the Kona Electric to continue being one of the best budget-friendly EVs on the market. This is mostly thanks to its impressive lineup of standard equipment with the Kona continuing to be a standout player in that regard when it comes to offering customers more for their money. Limited models in particular enhance that demeanor with comfort and tech features making the Kona a good cross shop with EVs that attempt to offer the same level of standard equipment but often cost more.Â
As for Hyundai, it will be interesting to see what else it has in store for the Kona Electric. As the company continues to expand its IOniq lineup with models like the Ioniq 5 and even the bigger Ioniq 9, there is a chance that the model might suffer from internal sales cannibalization. However, if Hyundai is strategic with marketing and pricing, the 2025 Kona Electric will continue to be a solid player for the brand moving forward. Â
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.