2025 Hyundai Kona - Comprehensive review and first impression

2025 Hyundai Kona - Comprehensive review and first impression of the model for Ireland and the UK .. part of the video may also be relevant for people in United States and Australia, as well as mainland Europe, #hyundaikona #review #videotour

[@mad4tar77]

Wow, now this man is a salesman. Such a pleasure to learn about the car from someone with such knowledge of the product and a clear passion for cars and sales. We will be calling in. Thank you.

[@doolanbrian]

Wow thanks for the very nice comment I do appreciate you watching 🙂🙂

[@crazyhands911.]

great side by side comparisons between the different models, especially having the prior model right there showing the differences.

[@doolanbrian]

Thank you for watching much appreciated !!!

[@bernardkeating6548]

Great video Brian,, love all your videos,,, keep up the good work, hyundai are on a roll right now,,, making beautiful cars

[@doolanbrian]

Thank you very much for watching and their kind comments, much appreciated!

[@JustIdeas000]

Excellent review - this is exactly the initial content I look for - dimensions, internal and external; features which are improved. I’d love to see it compared to the Honda HRV or ZRV. I’m in Australia, but I’d I were in Ireland, I’d be buying from you. 😜

[@doolanbrian]

Thanks for watching! We used to sell honda but not anymore unfortunately, I think it will be close on HRV size 🙂👍appreciate the kind feedback !

[@AlanMacdonald-on6nd]

Cracking video I will be moving from the Ioniq to the Kona, would never have done that with the old model ,this also looks better than the Kia Niro

[@doolanbrian]

Appreciate the kind feedback. Thank you for watching!

[@39doddle]

Very nice looking car. I'll keep this in mind if I'm thinking of changing.

[@doolanbrian]

Thanks for watching!

[@Nigelrudyardmusic]

Excellent overview, thanks Brian. Currently on the look out for a replacement for my old Jazz, so this is a candidate.

[@doolanbrian]

Thank you for watching it is much appreciated, we used to sell Honda , so you will find this car, a little bit bigger and it should give you a more SUV feel, hope you like it when you get a chance to test drive one !

[@f1050enzo]

Great video! ❤ thanks for the review and for sharing the specs of the car with us 👍

[@doolanbrian]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimbonogero4078]

Another brilliant informative video Brian, you tell it how it is , great idea putting the various models side by side looking forward to More videos on this model as I'm driving a Kona hybrid and am really interested in the interior upgrades etc , I have noticed on models shown in other countries that they have the screen on the dashboard when you indicate for the blind spot would you check this out if available on models for this country then again the government would see that as a luxury item and not a safety feature and increase the vet 😅

[@doolanbrian]

I know what you mean ! Hey thanks for watching ! I’ll have a specification video up soon once the other models arrive ! I can send you a spec sheet via WhatsApp anytime you want if you WhatsApp me at 0868431945

[@jimbonogero4078]

Thanks Brian will do cheers

[@cathyellis767]

I love it bought orange one last week. Even Kona SE seems fully loaded and gorgeous!! 🧡

[@doolanbrian]

Glad you like it !! What country are you in ?? 🙂

[@cathyellis767]

@@doolanbrian California

[@doolanbrian]

@@cathyellis767 hey thanks for watching!

[@mokurt2529]

really appreciate the side by side comparisons!

[@doolanbrian]

Hey I appreciate you watching 🙂👍

[@sachah2400]

The front LED light Bar, (daytime run lamp) that runs accross the front bonnet. I see it does not light up in the middle of the bonnet on this hybrid model. I notice it does run ON (LEDs) all the way accross the bonnet in the upper spec models I see online. Is that correct? Hyundai have taken the full light function off the hybrid and lower spec models on the LED bonnet light? Thanks again for the great review. Very clear and concise.

[@doolanbrian]

Thanks for watching You are correct The LED light bar at the front is not on the entry model or the middle specification , in Ireland, the hybrid only comes in the entry or middle specifications In the 1 L turbo petrol manual, however, there is an entry model, a middle model and a top model . In this case, the top model is called NLINE, at the moment that is the only model that will have the front LED bar running all the way across from left to right This may change in different countries, but this information would be relevant for Ireland Thanks for the kind words!

[@grahammurray2167]

Great review,I asked a question a few minutes ago but seems to have disappeared,how is the ride quality and road noise compared to the previous Kona?

[@doolanbrian]

thanks for watching! There have been attempts to reduce the noise in the vehicle by the manufacturer. So in theory, it should be better … I would say from experience, all people have different levels of perception so the only way to be really sure is to take one for a test drive I guess 🙂👍 ride quality is more firm with the increase in steel rigidity in the body but again it’s a personal thing 🙂

[@10mbc]

I've finally managed to test drive the new Kona and I would say it's a good car. I drove the 1.0 T-GDI 120ps manual in "Premium" trim and it was nice. The feeling of the gearbox is better compared to the i30 and the engine is good enough even if not that powerful. It seems like there is a new engine available just from a couple of weeks ago, a 1.6 T-GDI with 138 ps, FWD, available with both the manual and DCT transmission at 1200 euro price premium compared to the 1.0 T-GDI, which is acceptable. Also, the USB-C chargers in the Kona and the new i30 are both 27w which is a bit outdated for 2024 but acceptable for a phone or tablet. It will only slow charge a laptop, if turned off.

[@doolanbrian]

In Ireland, we get a middle spec 1.6 turbo, 177 BHP , or at least we did. It was available earlier in the year, but doesn’t seem to be available anymore.

[@hawkinsk111]

Hi Brian great video, i notice the front horizon lights up all the way across on the n line model but doesnt on the hybrid, is this something you could get added?

[@doolanbrian]

A good point, unfortunately I don’t see an option to retrofit afterwards so if you are going for Hybrid in Ireland, it looks like the horizon front LED is not possible, you have to go from Manual NLINE to get the front horizon LED

[@lesliekeates7097]

Super Video and presentation . Well done . Very informative .

[@doolanbrian]

Wow I appreciate the kind words and your time thank you !!

[@danmaiale1366]

Can you please check the heating system in the 2024? It isn't something you normally would test, but you really should! My wife and I are on our 2nd 2023 Kona EV! Trust me, not because we want to. Let me explain... Bought the first one in December and wife reported issues with heat not working. They couldn't immediately reproduce but eventually did and after replacing the entire heater control assembly (as per tech line) they obtained the same results . They checked fuses, disabled the system open 40AMP fuse and after all that, said the car was defective and they would trade that in for the same 2023 Kona EV. They provided us another brand new, same make/model/color, and after 62 miles with the new car, the service manager verified "No Heat - Same as their trade in". So, they call in a regional "EV Expert" and he says, "at this time heat working as designed". He also said "in the cold weather pre-heat the vehicle for 1/2 hour with this procedure" (procedure never provided). So, I ran my own tests and uploaded the videos to youtube. kzbin.info/aero/PL7Lcm9IY-sZ-r_6wE2RKStjK4C9Rzf3Z2 You can see how unpredictable and unacceptable the heating system is in the 2023 Kona EV's! Based on what I've learned, @hyundai is using sub-standard heating systems in the USA. Why? I can only think the range of the vehicle wouldn't look as good if they used a better heating system (like they already do in Canada).

[@doolanbrian]

Sorry to hear you are having problems, we don’t actually get the new version of the electric car here until early next year, unfortunately we haven’t had customer complaints in this area of functionality in Ireland, but I would imagine our climate is very different to yours so there may be a phenomenon that happens in your country that we don’t happen to experience in Ireland if that makes sense? I can only assume both continents get the same heating system for the car, but I can’t be sure🙂

[@danmaiale1366]

@@doolanbrian Yeah, from what I have learned Canada gets Kona EV's that actually have working heat. Canadian Kona EV's include a heat pump system but Hyundai uses some other (substandard?) heating for their customers in the USA. I would certainly investigate the heating system that they put into the Kona EV's made for Ireland before you purchase one. 30 F air here in Pennsylvania is just as cold as 30 F air in Canada! @hyundaiusa #recallUSAKonaEV's

[@tonymurray9807]

Great video Brian, Thank you

[@doolanbrian]

Thanks for watching, and for the nice comment!

[@Raaz-su7fv]

Thanks for this video, I really loved the comparison with all other models! Is this elegance model in Ireland comes with interior ambient lights? If not is it fixable at your Garage?

[@doolanbrian]

Okay, I checked this, ambient lighting not current on Elegance model, also there are no accessories available on new model yet so short-term so we are unable to retrofit right now🙂

[@willowjunction4879]

Hi, can you please tell me what the service intervals are for the Hybrid version of the new kona?

[@doolanbrian]

At the moment, we understand that they are every 12 months or 15,000 km 🙂👍 we haven’t had any communication to tell us that there are any different than the previous generation

[@mickdaly6537]

Amazing review, love the way shows cars side by side, hope you do the interior of base model to top range same way

[@doolanbrian]

I will have a video at some point, which will show the first second and third models. In other words, the differences, thank you for watching and for the kind words.

[@olivianigealabhain893]

Hi does the 2024 Kona (petrol version) come with boot assist ?

[@doolanbrian]

Not from the factory in Ireland but possibly in other countries yes 👍

[@MrDuncl]

Can you comment on the spare wheel situation. Having been stranded for hours once due to the useless can of gunk (in a Hyundai) that is important to me. I'd be far more interested in in the new Honda HRV if they hadn't filled the spare wheel well with the Hybrid battery.

[@doolanbrian]

We get spare wheel in the petrol version, but not in the hybrid version, are you looking at petrol or Hybrid?

[@MrDuncl]

@@doolanbrian I was interested in the hybrid. The key thing is whether there is space for one. I would be happy with a space saver as a paid for extra.

[@doolanbrian]

@@MrDuncl looks like the Hybrid has space for a spare , so I think you should have an option to purchase this as an accessory 🙂🙂

[@KrishnaKumar-wy1mt]

Hello Brian. Thank you for the video and comparing the new Kona with the outgoing model. Do you know if the new Know Hybrid Ultimate edition have Wireless Apple CarPlay? Or still a Wired Apple CarPlay?

[@doolanbrian]

I’m unfamiliar with the ultimate model as we don’t get that in this country, but all of the models we have in Ireland at the moment with the bigger screen seem to only work with a tethered connection so they don’t have the wireless option!

[@KrishnaKumar-wy1mt]

@@doolanbrian Thank you very much for your quick response Brian. Oh that's a shame. It's been the same issue with other models of Hyundai and Kia. Only the base version comes with Wireless Apple CarPlay. The top end have to be tethered. Very odd.

[@doolanbrian]

@@KrishnaKumar-wy1mt I totally understand it is a little bit counterintuitive alright that the smaller audio system seems to have the wireless ability. It must be something to do with production issues, but at the moment that is my understanding.

[@willowjunction4879]

Hi, love the video, can you tell me if the hybrid version in your review has a spare tyre?

[@doolanbrian]

Looks like Hybrid doesn’t have a spare but non hybrid petrol does 🙂👍 hey thanks for watching!!

[@christopherperkins3416]

Best and most concise review I've seen. One question that none of the reviews have addressed is this. Can the lane departure and audible alarms when the speed limit changes be muted and/or switched off? If not I'm afraid that I won't be buying one.

[@doolanbrian]

Appreciate the kind words! Those functions can be switched off, however, they have to be switched off at the start of each journey, they can’t be permanently switched off !

[@christopherperkins3416]

Thanks Brian, if I have understood this correctly this means every time I start the car, so if I'm in my local town and stop at four locations I have to reset it every time? If that's correct how easy are the resets?@@doolanbrian

[@doolanbrian]

@@christopherperkins3416 that is correct every time you turn off the vehicle and turn it back on they will need to be reset, the lane keep assist is quite easy to turn off, but the speed limit warning requires 2 to 3 screen taps running through menus! I think this feature however, is going to be standard on most modern cars going forward🫤

[@maxkomisarenko2400]

Thanks for this video! Could you write specifications for the new Kona with 1.6T engine? Is it paired with 7-DCT or with 8-speed automatic transmission as in Korea? Is this car support wireless Android Auto/ Carplay?

[@doolanbrian]

Unfortunately we don’t get the 1.6 turbo engine in this country, so I’m unfamiliar with the specifications. The model in the video with the large 12.3 inch unit does not have wireless CarPlay or android auto so it needs to be tethered, it is possible that models with smaller screens, however may have the wireless option for these applications as per the last model of Kona 👍🙂

[@maxkomisarenko2400]

@@doolanbrian @doolanbrian , accordingly to prices on Hyundai's official site for your region 1.6T will come to UK this year. But, looks like, it will be with 7-DCT when all 1.6T trims in Korea with 8-speed automatic transmission and it makes me sad. I'm disappointed to read about wired AA/Carplay :(, because I've previous Kona with 10.25" infotainment system where it's wired too :(. I think all Kona trims will have the same 12.3" unit as they do in Korea :(.

[@69Thylacine]

gr8 video, i have the 2023 Kona Highlander(top spec) & loving it Any mention of HUD in the new 2nd gen?

[@doolanbrian]

We don’t have the option in Ireland, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get it in your country, unfortunately I am unsure outside of Ireland, thanks for watching

[@coachmoment]

Thank you Brian! Can you tell me if the HUD (heads up display) is still on the car. Like a projection on the front window. For example on the Kona 1,6 Hybrid (engine) comfort?

[@doolanbrian]

Unfortunately, we never got that feature in Ireland, so far the new model in Ireland. It does not feature heads up display, what country do you live in as this will vary for different markets globally?? thanks for watching!

[@coachmoment]

I live in the Netherlands 😀

[@coachmoment]

And thank you for your quick response 👍🏼

[@doolanbrian]

@@coachmoment hope you guys will get it!!

[@doolanbrian]

@@coachmoment well I appreciate you watching !

[@tomy4526]

I have a Peugeot 3008 from 2019 and thinking about exchanging it for this Kona. I am a bit afraid that it might be a downgrade, what do you think? Is it a good idea to go for the Kona?

[@doolanbrian]

Kona is bigger than previous generation .. 3008 operates in a different segment so they are not I suppose a direct comparison. I think from specification point and general looks, you will definitely like it, and in terms of driving you should as well, but the best thing to do is try one yourself and see what you think!

[@sachah2400]

Does it have removable memory card for the forward facing camera. The Korean version does. The memory card is in a small slot on the centre console? Great review. Thanks

[@doolanbrian]

Thank you for watching! So when you say, removable cards like a dash cam style?

[@sachah2400]

@@doolanbrian yes. Correct. The Korean models are able to remove the memory card if they wish for the forward facing camera. I will add a link to their kona video. Thanks

[@doolanbrian]

@@sachah2400 really cool, so we don’t get it in Ireland unfortunately so I’m unsure about other parts of Europe.. thanks for the information!

[@sidy1611]

Does the preferred version have blind spot camera's

[@doolanbrian]

In Ireland, we don’t have this option, but in other countries, it may be available!

[@barrydoherty636]

Does the new kona, come with a dash cam?

[@doolanbrian]

Not in ireland .. it has to be an accessory fitted after 😊

[@susanpritchard6164]

Brian what is the price of the Petrol one thanks

[@doolanbrian]

Petrol ones in Ireland run anywhere between €33,500 and €37,500 🙂☑️

[@yosital5264]

Nice and clear compare

[@doolanbrian]

Thank you for watching!

[@Nobrainer19073]

How does it compare to the Toyota Corolla Cross? Is the signal indicator control on the left or right?

[@doolanbrian]

Corolla Cross would be bigger and more expensive.. the turn signal would be on the left-hand side, but that is in Ireland. What country are you based in?🙂

[@Nobrainer19073]

@@doolanbrian I’m in Australia

[@doolanbrian]

@@Nobrainer19073 I presume you guys get the same, turn signal and wiper set up as we do so lights on the left hand side, wipers on the right hand side🙂👍

[@grahammurray2167]

Brian,what a great review,one question how does the road noise compare to the previous model on coarse chip.

[@doolanbrian]

@@grahammurray2167 thanks for watching! There have been attempts to reduce the noise in the vehicle by the manufacturer. So in theory, it should be better … I would say from experience, all people have different levels of perception so the only way to be really sure is to take one for a test drive I guess 🙂👍

[@jordanr205]

Brian I live in the U.S. I have a 2020 Mazda CX-5 am looking forward to the Kona N Line. But this is what I wanted to tell you. Yes Apple carplay in my car is tethered but I can use Pandora on Bluetooth and incar navigation none tethered. So there's always a work around. By the way nice video

[@doolanbrian]

I must investigate this Pandora, I’ve heard about it, thank you for the useful information I will look into this! And thank you for watching!

[@Glenningway]

I see a 2021 used Kona at a dealership, but I'm worried about theft since that is the end year of common stealable Hyundais. Also worried about reliability, since Hyundais are not known to last.

[@doolanbrian]

In ireland we have not had the theft issue so I can’t help on that .. in terms of reliability in my opinion most modern cars are on a par with each other .. it’s almost impossible to buy a modern car that can be guaranteed to be perfectly reliable as they are so complex now .. What’s important is to buy a car that had a good after sales service 🙂👍

[@ultraginga]

Got one order Brian.

[@doolanbrian]

@@ultraginga nice one !! I appreciate you watching too 👍

[@Margaux1970]

No LED for the signal lights? So 2015....

[@doolanbrian]

NLine has LED indicators - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKq3fZefabChd8U

[@rakeshraopambidi6334]

Is it base model or n line ?

[@doolanbrian]

This is mid spec elegance 🙂👍

[@theIzomo]

If you had time and were able to can you compare only 2023 and 2024 konas with sizing.

[@doolanbrian]

Do you mean dimension measurements or just a visual comparison?

[@theIzomo]

@@doolanbrian Visual comparison.

[@tedrik1346]

Not crazy about those dull silver inserts at lower front.

[@doolanbrian]

Maybe you’d prefer the NLine version ??

[@tedrik1346]

@@doolanbrian I considered that but the limited has all my required features..but there are always compromises I guess.

[@doolanbrian]

@@tedrik1346 understood , sorry to hear you don’t like it, but maybe the other features in the car will help outweigh this 🙂

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

waiting for the EV...................

[@sachah2400]

Hope you have lots of money. Hyundai have said this week they will not compete or try to compete with China EV on price, they aim to be premium.

[@Reddylion]

Hyundai kona ev 👍

[@doolanbrian]

EV due late 2023 / early 2024 👍

[@Reddylion]

@@doolanbrian ⚡️👍

[@jimbonogero4078]

That's meant to be vrt😂

[@doolanbrian]

✌️🙂

[@brianturner6487]

You talk too quickly

[@doolanbrian]

I sure do .. sorry about that .. what country are you from ?

[@descarroll2039]

Those front headlights are just waiting to be broken.....absolutely awful design....hyundai made a complete mess of this.....

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

slow down your speech please..

[@sachah2400]

No, he speaks perfectly. You need to expand your knowledge of the english language.

[@doolanbrian]

This is how I talk Unfortunately ! what country are you from?🙂🙂

[@whatthe6532]

It really looks shite compared with the older model.