What Engine, Trim, and Features Come on the 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Kona lineup: three engines, five trim levels, and what each one actually gives you

The 2025 Hyundai Kona comes in five trim levels—SE, SEL, N Line, Limited, and N—each paired with one of three powertrains: a 2.0-litre petrol engine, a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol, or a hybrid system. The SE and SEL use the standard 2.0-litre; the N Line and Limited offer both the 2.0-litre and turbo; the N trim uses only the turbo. The hybrid is available on SE, SEL, and Limited trims. Your choice of engine and trim determines your fuel economy, acceleration, available features, and price.

Understanding what you actually get at each level matters because trim names don't tell you whether a feature is standard or optional. A Limited with the base engine might cost less than an N Line with the turbo, but the N Line comes with sport suspension and a different interior. This section breaks down what's standard at each tier and which engines pair with which trims.

Key Takeaways

The 2025 Kona offers three engines: a 2.0-litre petrol (147 hp), a turbocharged 1.6-litre (195 hp), and a hybrid system (141 hp combined), each with different fuel economy and acceleration.
SE and SEL trims come standard with the 2.0-litre engine; N Line and Limited can be ordered with either the 2.0-litre or turbo; the N trim uses only the turbo.
The hybrid is available on SE, SEL, and Limited trims and delivers the best fuel economy but costs more upfront than the petrol engines.
Standard safety features like forward collision warning and lane-keeping information come on all trims, but higher trims add adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
Infotainment, climate control, and convenience features vary by trim; the Limited and N add heated seats, a power liftgate, and an 8-inch touchscreen as standard.

Engine choices and what they mean for real driving

The base 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine is adequate for city driving and highway cruising but feels leisurely when merging or passing on the highway. It returns roughly 28 to 32 miles per gallon combined, depending on whether you choose front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The SE and SEL trims use this engine as standard.

The turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol produces 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. It accelerates noticeably faster than the 2.0-litre and feels more responsive in traffic. Fuel economy drops to roughly 26 to 30 miles per gallon combined. The turbo is optional on N Line and Limited trims and standard on the N. If you drive mostly highway miles or want quicker acceleration, the turbo is worth the cost difference; if you sit in stop-and-go traffic, the base engine is sufficient.

The hybrid system pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for 141 horsepower combined. It uses a six-speed automatic transmission and returns roughly 33 to 37 miles per gallon combined. The hybrid costs more upfront than either petrol engine but saves money on fuel over time if you drive more than 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. The hybrid is available on SE, SEL, and Limited trims only—not on the N Line or N.

Trim levels and standard equipment at each step

The SE is the entry-level trim and comes with the 2.0-litre engine as standard. Standard features include a 5-inch touchscreen, six speakers, air conditioning, power windows and locks, a rearview camera, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping information. Cloth upholstery is standard. The SE does not include heated seats, a power liftgate, or blind-spot monitoring. If you want the hybrid or turbo engine on an SE, both are available as upgrades.

The SEL adds a 7-inch touchscreen, eight speakers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The engine options remain the same as the SE: 2.0-litre standard, hybrid or turbo available. The SEL is where you start to see creature comforts that matter in winter or on longer drives.

The N Line is a styling and handling package, not a performance tier. It comes with a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and a more aggressive front grille. The N Line uses the 2.0-litre engine as standard but allows you to upgrade to the turbocharged 1.6-litre. Standard features include the 7-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and a power liftgate. The N Line does not include the hybrid option.

The Limited is the comfort-focused trim and includes an 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. It comes with the 2.0-litre engine standard; you can upgrade to the turbo or hybrid. The Limited adds adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set distance from the car ahead and is useful on long highway drives.

The N trim is the performance variant and uses only the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. It includes a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a more aggressive body kit. Standard features include the 8-inch touchscreen, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The N is aimed at drivers who want quicker acceleration and a sportier driving feel; it costs significantly more than the Limited.

Infotainment and connectivity across the lineup

The SE and SEL trims come with a 5-inch or 7-inch touchscreen, respectively, both with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the SEL. Neither includes wireless smartphone integration; you must plug in a cable. The N Line, Limited, and N all have a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. None of the 2025 Kona trims include a built-in navigation system; you rely on your phone's maps app through CarPlay or Android Auto.

All trims include Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling. The SE has six speakers; the SEL and higher add two more for eight total. If you spend a lot of time in the car, the difference between six and eight speakers is noticeable but not dramatic. Hyundai's infotainment software is straightforward and responsive; it does not lag or freeze the way some competitors' systems do.

Safety features: what's standard and what costs extra

Forward collision warning and lane-keeping information are standard on all 2025 Kona trims. These systems alert you if a car ahead brakes suddenly or if you drift out of your lane without signalling. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on SEL and higher trims; it is not available on the SE. Adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts your speed to match traffic, is standard on Limited and N trims and not available on lower trims.

All trims include a rearview camera. The Limited and N add a surround-view camera system that shows a bird's-eye view of the car when reversing or parking, which is genuinely useful in tight spaces. Hyundai does not offer a blind-spot camera on any 2025 Kona trim. If you want the most comprehensive safety package, the Limited or N is the better choice; if you drive mostly on familiar roads and highways, the SE's standard features are sufficient.

Interior materials, comfort, and storage

The SE and SEL use cloth upholstery throughout. The N Line, Limited, and N offer cloth as standard but allow you to upgrade to synthetic leather on the N Line and Limited, and real leather on the N. Cloth is durable and easier to clean; synthetic leather looks more upscale but can crack over time in very hot climates. Real leather on the N is soft and ages well but requires occasional conditioning.

Heated front seats are standard on SEL and higher trims. The Limited and N add heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, both useful in cold climates. Air conditioning is standard on all trims; the Limited and N include dual-zone automatic climate control, which lets the driver and passenger set different temperatures. This matters if one person runs cold and the other runs hot.

Cargo space is identical across all trims: 19.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The power liftgate, standard on N Line and higher, makes loading groceries easier but adds weight and cost. A manual liftgate is fine if you do not load heavy items regularly.

Wheel and suspension differences between trims

The SE and SEL come with 17-inch steel wheels and all-season tyres. The N Line upgrades to 18-inch alloy wheels. The Limited offers 18-inch alloys as standard. The N uses 19-inch alloy wheels and comes with performance-rated summer tyres, which offer better grip in warm weather but wear faster and perform poorly in snow or ice.

The base suspension on SE, SEL, and Limited trims is tuned for comfort and absorbs bumps smoothly. The N Line and N use a sport-tuned suspension with stiffer springs and dampers; this reduces body roll in corners but makes the ride firmer over rough pavement. If you drive on well-maintained roads, the sport suspension feels responsive. If you drive on potholed or gravel roads regularly, the comfort suspension is more forgiving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get all-wheel drive on every 2025 Kona trim?

Yes. All-wheel drive is available on every trim and engine combination except the N, which is front-wheel drive only. All-wheel drive adds roughly 2 miles per gallon of fuel consumption and costs between $1,500 and $2,000 depending on the trim. It improves traction in snow and on gravel but is not necessary for most drivers in dry climates.

Which trim gives me the best fuel economy?

The hybrid SE or SEL with front-wheel drive returns the best fuel economy, roughly 33 to 37 miles per gallon combined. If you want a hybrid but prefer more features, the Limited hybrid is the next step up. The turbocharged N returns the worst fuel economy at roughly 26 to 30 miles per gallon combined.

Is the N Line worth the extra cost over the SEL?

That depends on whether you value the sport suspension and styling. The N Line costs roughly $2,000 to $3,000 more than an SEL with the same engine and drivetrain. You get a stiffer suspension, 18-inch wheels, a power liftgate, and a more aggressive appearance. If you enjoy driving and want a sportier feel, yes. If you prioritize comfort and cost, the SEL is sufficient.

Does the 2025 Kona have a sunroof?

No. Hyundai does not offer a sunroof or panoramic roof on any 2025 Kona trim. If a sunroof is important to you, you will need to look at competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross or Mazda CX-30.

What is the difference between the N Line and the N trim?

The N Line is a styling package available on any engine; the N is a true performance trim that uses only the turbocharged engine. The N has a stiffer suspension, larger brakes, 19-inch wheels with summer tyres, and more aggressive styling. The N accelerates noticeably faster and handles more sharply in corners. The N Line looks sportier but drives like a regular Kona with stiffer springs.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.