The 2025 Honda HR-V and 2025 Hyundai Kona squeeze loads of value and efficiency into city-friendly proportions. These 5-seat subcompact SUVs might be small in mass but they don’t lack for the latest in comfort, tech, or advanced safety features.
Moreover, one of the two also happens to look capable of landing a starring role in a sci-fi series (hint: it’s not the Honda).
When it comes to cabin space and overall refinement, the Honda HR-V is a standout. Add to that its inclusion on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) list of Top Safety Pick+ vehicles and its outstanding resale value, and you have one solid subcompact SUV.
Kia rolled out the current generation of the Kona in 2024, with longer, wider, and taller dimensions, translating into more passenger and cargo space. Not only did its footprint increase, but its styling took a decidedly futuristic path. We are so impressed by the Kona that we put it at the top of our list for Best Subcompact SUVs for 2024 and 2025. (The HR-V made the list, as well.)
Let’s explore key highlights of both the Honda HR-V and the Hyundai Kona.
2025 Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V was given a total redesign in 2023, which included transferring to the same platform that underpins the highly regarded Civic compact sedan and hatchback. Consequently, it returns for 2025 basically unchanged. Under the hood of every new Honda HR-V is a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard; all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. The Honda HR-V comes in three main trim levels: LX, Sport, and EX-L with a starting price of $26,750, including the factory-to-dealer destination charge.
Standard features include a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three USB ports, automatic climate control, remote start, keyless entry, and a number of active driver aids.
Honda HR-V Highlights
Honda Sensing: This suite of driver aids is standard on every HR-V and includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, and more.
IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status: Reinforcing the HR-V’s safety credentials is its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status. This not only scores vehicle structural performance in crash tests, but it also factors in the effectiveness of collision prevention, which includes headlight performance.
Driving refinement: Migrating to the current Honda Civic platform has given the HR-V a more composed and smoother ride. It absorbs rough pavement, while the light steering makes this Honda easy to maneuver.
HondaLink: This smartphone app allows an HR-V to monitor upcoming service appointments, track the vehicle if it’s stolen, set geofencing boundaries, and get alerts if a collision is detected while the car is parked. HondaLink is standard on every HR-V.
Read our Honda HR-V Expert Review or see 2025 Honda HR-V models for sale near you.
2025 Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona comes as one of six trim levels with a starting price of $25,745, including the factory-to-dealer delivery charge. Kia offers Kona with three different drivetrains, including the Kona Electric. The two combustion choices are between a 147-hp 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and 195-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder mill with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive available with either engine.
Standard convenience and technology features include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with over-the-air (OTA) updates, four USB-C ports (two front, two rear), automatic high-beam headlights, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto..
Hyundai Kona Highlights
Optional turbocharged 4-cylinder: The majority of Kona buyers are likely to stick with the less expensive and more fuel efficient 147-hp 4-cylinder found in the SE and SEL trims. But having the option of a peppier 190-hp turbo 4-cylinder coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission gives the Kona a performance advantage over the HR-V. This turbocharged engine is standard in the N Line and Limited.
Wireless smartphone connectivity: The Kona comes standard with not only a 12.3-inch touchscreen but also the added convenience of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the SE and SEL trims. Hyundai says an upcoming OTA update will bring wireless connectivity to the N Line and Limited trims. In the Honda HR-V you need a wired connection in all but the top-of-the-line EX-L.
Head-turning design: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, to be fair, many car shoppers might find the bold exterior of the Kona to be more beast than beauty. Yet you can’t accuse this subcompact SUV of blandness in the looks department.
Class-leading warranty coverage: The Kona has superb warranty coverage that knocks the proverbial socks off the HR-V, not to mention most other small SUVs. Not only do you get a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, but there also is powertrain coverage lasting 10 years or 100,000 miles.
Read our Hyundai Kona Expert Review or see 2025 Hyundai Kona models for sale near you.
Similarities
The HR-V and Kona have starting prices within $1,000 of each other and have small footprints that make them agile and easy to park. There is very little separating these rivals when comparing the entry-level 4-cylinder engines: Each prioritizes economy over acceleration grunt.
Conclusion
The Honda HR-V and the Hyundai Kona make a big case for thinking small. The upscale feel of the HR-V’s cabin is impressive given its price point. Yet the Kona counters with a sleek dual-screen arrangement that wouldn’t be out of place in a luxury-badged vehicle.
Granted, the HR-V’s price is a bit more; however, we think the Honda provides a quality package, one with a superb track record in terms of safety and resale value. On the other hand, the Kona costs less and delivers significantly more total cargo room and a tad more rear-seat legroom.
Which of the two is the better pick? That’s for you to decide. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either of them.
New 2025 Honda HR-V Prices
New 2025 Hyundai Kona Prices
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for vehicles and vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Honda HR-V | 2025 Hyundai Kona | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined | 28 city/35 highway/31 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | Turbo 1.6-liter 4-cyl., AWD; all-electric |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 104.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 179.8 inches | 171.3 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 71.9 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 62.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.1 feet | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.7 inches | 38.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 56.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.2 inches | 55.2 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 24.4 cubic feet/55.1 cubic feet | 25.5 cubic feet/62.8 cubic feet |