2025 Hyundai Kona Elite
SUV
Score Summary
Reliability
Safety (ANCAP)
Summary
The Kona Elite is a top-spec petrol variant of Hyundai's small SUV, designed for urban buyers seeking a compact and stylish vehicle. It targets singles or small families who need a practical SUV with modern technology and decent cargo space. Potential buyers might choose it for its strong value for money, contemporary safety features, attractive design, and Hyundai's ownership package including warranty and service options. The Elite trim packages key features for daily use at a competitive price point.
Highlights
- 4-star ANCAP safety rating (certified for petrol, hybrid, and electric Kona variants).
- Generous 7-year unlimited-kilometre warranty for vehicles first registered from 1 June 2025.
- Price positioning typically in the low-to-mid $30k drive-away range.
- Servicing interval of 12 months / 15,000 km with capped-price options.
Pricing (excluding on-road costs)
New (2025)
Ownership Sentiment
✓Praises
- •Practicality and interior space for a small SUV; comfortable real-world usability.
- •Strong fuel efficiency, especially with hybrid options in the Kona family.
- •Smooth and quiet enough ride for city and light highway use.
- •Generous equipment levels for the price and a modern, stylish design.
- •Good safety features and solid safety ratings for the segment.
!Complaints
- •Engine is not particularly powerful and can feel noisy at higher revs; acceleration not the punchiest in class.
- •Some owners report “pricey to service” perceptions relative to competitors.
- •Steering reach/adjustment can be inadequate for taller drivers in some trims.
- •Infotainment or system responsiveness is occasionally criticized, though not widely documented as a systemic fault in this model year.
- •Some recall-related service visits can be inconvenient or time-consuming, impacting ownership experience.
Ownership Costs
Ownership Cost
Medium
Cost Predictability
Medium
Moderate to high cost of ownership relative to the average small-to-mid SUV in Australia, mainly due to depreciation and registration/insurance variability. Fuel efficiency is solid at 6.6 L/100km combined, aiding long-term running costs. Cost predictability is medium, with routine servicing and fuel costs being predictable, but insurance, registration, and depreciation introduce uncertainty. Suitable for buyers seeking acceptable running costs with consistent maintenance and reasonable mileage.
Model Reliability
Warranty
7 Years
Reliability Score
Assessment Summary
The Hyundai Kona Elite (Australia, 2025) sits in the “generally reliable with some weaknesses” band. Real-world reports across the Kona family praise practicality, efficiency, and value, with ongoing notes about safety and feature sets. However, multiple recalls in 2024–2025 concerning electrical wiring, EGR sensor issues, and fuel-pump-related defects demonstrate non-trivial risk areas that can carry high repair costs or reliability impact if not addressed. There is no strong signal of widespread, chronic drivetrain failures, but the electrical and specific engine-safety recalls warrant a cautious view. Overall durability is credible, with notable caveats tied to early-life recalls and engine-control components.
See what the experts say
WhichCar
Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium: Among the rash of new hybrids, the small SUV is a stand-out
Brand Reliability
Hyundai
Reliability Study (2025)
Problems per 100 vehicles: 222
Rank
#15 / 22
Practicality
Body Type
SUV
Doors
5
Seats
5
ISOfix Points
2
Features
Safety
ANCAP Rating
Fuel Type / Efficiency
Powertrain / Fuel Type
Hybrid, Petrol
Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid 1.6L Petrol Hybrid powertrain
Fuel Consumption
3.9 L/100km
Range (Approx)
580 km
Tank Capacity
42 L
2.0L Smartstream MPi Petrol
Fuel Consumption
6.6 L/100km
Range (Approx)
713 km
Tank Capacity
47 L
Performance
Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid 1.6L Petrol Hybrid powertrain
Engine / Motor Type
Hybrid
Displacement
1.6L
Power
107 kW
Torque
265 Nm
0-100 km/h
9.25s
Towing Capacity
725 kg
2.0L Smartstream MPi Petrol
Engine / Motor Type
Petrol
Displacement
2L
Cylinders
Inline 4
Power
110 kW
Torque
180 Nm
0-100 km/h
-
Towing Capacity
1300 kg
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