When the Kona arrived in the Philippines in 2018, it captured the attention of the public, flaunting unconventional design and a paint color option that turned heads. It’s aimed at those who want an SUV but don’t want the the added heft. It was an instant hit – you would see them on the road, cementing the Kona name in the minds of discerning Filipino car buyers.
Hyundai could’ve played it safe with the second-generation Kona – slap on some new bumpers, stretch it by a few centimeters, and call it a day. But it didn’t. The 2025 Kona is practically a different car, not just in looks but in how it drives, feels, and fits into your life. And with a new hybrid variant leading the charge, it’s no longer just a quirky urban crossover but a legitimate, well-rounded contender in the compact SUV market.
So what changed? Nearly everything.
Bigger, Bolder, and No Longer Cute
The old Kona was endearing. With its stubby proportions, low roof, and almost cartoon-like face, it wore its urban runabout identity on its sleeve. The new Kona? It’s grown up – and grown bigger.
Length is up by nearly 200 mm, and the wheelbase is stretched by 60 mm. Width has gone up too, and even the height sees a bump. This translates into more presence on the road and more usable space inside. The new Kona now offers enough rear legroom to fit actual adults without apology, and the cargo area has grown from 361 liters to 466 liters with the seats up.
In short: it’s no longer a glorified hatchback. This is now a proper compact SUV.
Cabin Tech: From Basic to Best-in-Class
Step inside the old Kona, and it was clear you were getting solid value, but not a premium experience. Infotainment came in either 7″ or 8″ flavors, the gauge cluster was mostly analog, and climate controls were as straightforward as they come. Nothing wrong with that, until you see what the new Kona brings to the table.
The dashboard now features twin 12.3-inch screens: one for the instrument cluster, one for the infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. You get ambient lighting, a new column-mounted shifter, more storage space, and improved seat comfort. Even the rear seatbacks recline.
It all feels more modern and more spacious. And perhaps more importantly, it feels more Hyundai – pulling design elements from bigger siblings like the Tucson and Ioniq 5.
From Gritty to Green
This is where the powertrain story shifts dramatically. The old Philippine-spec Kona offered a 2.0L naturally aspirated, Atkinson-cycle engine that did daily duty with little fanfare, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The new Kona Hybrid takes a different route. It pairs a 1.6L GDi gasoline engine with a small electric motor and a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The result is a combined output of 141 hp and 144 Nm of torque – a bit down on numbers compared to the older version, but the real party trick is efficiency, which is something we’re excited to test out.
It’s worth noting that the hybrid uses a dual-clutch gearbox, not a torque converter automatic. Again, that’s something we need to check out once Hyundai starts lending out the hybrid model.
Ride and Handling: Expect A Softer, Calmer Kona
The old Kona wasn’t sporty, but it had a certain eagerness to them. A firm chassis, tight proportions, and quick steering made it more fun than it needed to be. But that also meant it could feel a bit stiff or jittery over poor surfaces.
While we haven’t had a chance to drive one, we expect the new Kona to lean into refinement. In other markets, it is said to have a better NVH insulation than before, and the longer wheelbase helps with straight-line stability. We’ll have our own take on this, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Safety & Smart Features: Welcome to the Future
Safety tech is another area where Hyundai didn’t hold back. While the old Kona offered basic active safety in the base models – Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, and a Driver Attention Warning system – most of the good stuff was reserved for the higher trims.
In the new Kona Hybrid, Hyundai SmartSense is now standard across the board. You get Blind Spot Collision Avoidance, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Following Assist, adaptive cruise control with stop & go, and more. The new system uses both camera and radar-based systems, making it more capable and less likely to false-alarm you into frustration.
Design: From Edgy to Sci-Fi
Fun fact: the Kona is one of the first crossovers to introduce split headlights. It also had fender cladding and an upright stance that made it look rugged in a kind of city-centric way. The new Kona looks like something Hyundai cooked up while working on the Ioniq range.
A full-width LED light bar spans the front and rear. The fenders are still there, but there’s a distinct “EV-first” design language, even if you’re buying the hybrid or ICE version. And the details – flush surfaces, sharp creases, and pixel-style DRLs – give it a techy, futuristic vibe that stands out in a sea of soft-looking crossovers.
It’s polarizing, sure. But you can’t say it’s boring.
Improvements That Come With A Price
Probably the biggest difference between the old and new Kona is the price. In 2018, the Kona was priced at P1,118,000. Factoring in inflation, that’s around P1,490,000 in today’s money.
However, the new Kona Hybrid starts at P1,528,000 – a tad higher than expected, especially when you look at the top-spec model that sells at P1,688,000. The increase maybe hard to swallow but when you look at what you gain – especially in fuel efficiency, tech, and everyday usability – it’s a trade-off that makes sense.
