2025 Hyundai KONA vs. 2025 Honda HR-V

Image provided by Hyundai Automotive Group

If you’re in the market for a subcompact SUV, the 2025 Hyundai KONA and 2025 Honda HR-V are excellent choices. While the KONA offers a futuristic design and a long list of standard features at an attractive price point, the HR-V is an eye-catching crossover with a comfortable cabin and classic style. In this car comparison review, we look at the 2025 Hyundai KONA vs. the 2025 Honda HR-V and highlight their designs, performance, interior comfort, and technology, giving you everything you need to make an informed buying decision.

Exterior and Design: Captivating Styles

After its full redesign in 2024, the 2025 Hyundai KONA maintains its futuristic design and sleek proportions. Exterior highlights include a continuous LED light bar up front, LED headlights and running lights, and an aggressive and angular design that delivers a compact but dominating presence.

The 2025 Honda HR-V keeps the clean exterior from the 2023 redesign but has a more mature appearance thanks to its prominent hexagonal grille, sleek LED headlights, and extended hood. While the KONA has a sporty exterior, the HR-V is more traditional.

Performance and Efficiency: Finding the Balance

The Hyundai KONA offers two four-cylinder engine options. The entry-level 2.0-liter engine produces 147 horsepower and pairs with a continuously variable transmission. The more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four outputs 195 horsepower and uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base engine is standard on the SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims, while the N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims come with the turbo model. While the base engine offers excellent fuel economy, the turbocharged engine is the better choice if you’re looking for an exciting ride.

The 2025 Honda HR-V comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 158 horsepower. It pairs with a continuously variable transmission to deliver power in front-wheel drive, although all trims can upgrade to all-wheel drive. The HR-V borrows its powertrain from the lighter Honda Civic, resulting in a leisurely performance with a full passenger load.

Interior Comfort and Cargo Space: Maximizing Usability

For a small SUV, the KONA has a roomy and tasteful interior. Its upscale and futuristic design keeps practicality in mind, with convenient audio and climate controls and a user-friendly infotainment system. Heated seats come standard on some trims and are available on all models. You can also get ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel on the high-end Limited trim. The KONA is easy to get in and out of and has decent room for adults to stretch out on long trips. Cargo space is also excellent at 63.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Using the Civic’s platform, the HR-V’s interior is modern and feature-packed. The front seats are supportive and comfortable with eight adjustable settings on the driver’s seat. Leather accents on the steering wheel, shift knob, and seats elevate the SUV’s luxurious feel, and buttons on the steering-wheel let you control the digital instrument cluster, cruise control, and volume. The HR-V’s larger frame gives adult passengers ample legroom, while its 60/40-split folding seats simplify cargo loading. With the rear seats folded, you get 55.1 cubic feet of cargo, which is less than what the smaller KONA offers.

Technology and Safety Features: Advanced Innovations

The KONA features dual 12-3-inch displays — one is a reconfigurable digital instrument cluster, and the other is an infotainment touch screen. The infotainment display runs the latest Hyundai user interface and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although only versions without navigation get wireless connectivity. Each row gets two USB ports, and you can opt for an available wireless charging pad. The KONA comes with a suite of standard driver-assist technologies, including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The HR-V includes either a 7-or 9-inch touch-screen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Only the top EX-L trim gets wireless phone connectivity, plus a wireless charging pad, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The HR-V comes with three USB ports, but they’re all in the front, which can be inconvenient for rear passengers. Standard safety and driver-assistance features include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

In terms of safety, the KONA received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while the HR-V received a five-star rating.

Pricing and Ownership Costs: Evaluating Worth

With the KONA, you can choose from six trim levels based on your driving preferences and needs. Below is a breakdown of each trim’s MSRP:

• SE: $24,550
• SEL: $25,900
• SEL Convenience: $28,100
• N Line S: $29,550
• N Line: $31,100
• Limited: $32,100

The HR-V comes in three trims:

• LX: $25,400
• Sport: $27,500
• EX-L: $29,500

While the HR-V offers more space, especially for rear passengers, the KONA is an all-around better option. Not only does the KONA have cheaper base trims, but it provides four additional trim levels and two engine options. Plus, the KONA has a higher cargo capacity and more advanced technology and infotainment features. The KONA also comes with Hyundai’s industry-leading five-year/60,000 mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, compared to the HR-V’s modest three-year/36,000 mile basic and five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranties.

Schedule Your Test-Drive Today at Hyundai of Dundalk

The 2025 Hyundai KONA is a subcompact SUV with the value of a bigger vehicle. It offers a comfortable and plush interior, abundant cargo space, and the latest technology to keep you and your passengers engaged, entertained, and comfortable. Whether you prefer a leisurely driving style or want a more energetic ride, the KONA provides an exceptional value. Contact Hyundai Dundalk today to schedule a test-drive and experience the new KONA in person. Our helpful team will answer your questions and help you choose the perfect Hyundai KONA trim for your lifestyle.