carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $26,110–$34,794 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2025 Hyundai Kona Base at 7.8/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 8.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.4/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $26,110–$34,794, 31 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Kona Base sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.2/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Hyundai Kona Base is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2025 Hyundai Kona Base ranks #428 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 83% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,110 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 28%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Hyundai Kona Base scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.8 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $26,110 | |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $25,350 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $24,589 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $23,829 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $23,068 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $22,308 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $21,547 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $20,787 | Read review → |
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
