Hyundai’s small SUV proves hard to topple, fending off newer competition to hold onto its DCOTY segment win.
While some vehicle categories are easy to pigeonhole, the small SUV class needs to work for buyers from all walks of life, From first drivers, to young families, as well as empty-nesters looking to downsize – and almost every situation in-between.
Having evolved from being cheap and affordable car makers now often put their best food forward with comprehensive standard equipment, a full suite of advanced driver assist features, and more than a few luxuries to keep occupants comfortable.
In 2024 the Hyundai Kona took home the award for Best Small SUV under $50K. It led its field with excellent driving form, comprehensive safety inclusions, and a generous balance of equipment at a reasonable price.
In line with DCOTY entry criteria it returns in 2025 to defend it title. Can last year’s best fend off the newest models from fierce rivals?
At one end of the spectrum the value-led MG ZS Hybrid+ offers a very well-finished and budget priced small SUV that’s sure to catch the attention of a lot of Australian buyers. Vastly improved over the previous generation, the new MG ZS put up a strong fight in this year’s competition.
On the other side of the coin the Lexus LBX forges new grough for the Japanese luxury brand. Smaller than any SUV model before it, but finished to the same meticulous standard as more expensive members of the Lexus range.
There can only be one winner though, and after a long and heated discussion between Drive Car of the Year judges, the Hyundai Kona emerged as the carry-over gold standard for the class.
Drive's pick: Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium from $43,500 plus on-road costs
Hyundai Kona key facts:
- Priced from $32,500 to $71,000 plus on-road costs
- Five year, unlimited km warranty
- 4.2L/100km consumption (claimed, hybrid)
Why the Hyundai Kona won:
- Spacious interior with premium design touches
- Comfortable ride and confident handling
- Impressive standard equipment
Hyundai’s showing at the Drive Car of the Year 2025 awards demonstrates that the same level of attention to detail from the brand’s larger models like the Tucson and Santa Fe is also present in the smaller, cheaper Kona.
As was the case last year, the Kona stood out from the pack thanks to an interior that feels more premium than its price point. Practicality and versatility aren’t forgotten about, with spacious seating and plenty of storage for anything owners are likely to bring along for the ride.
Passengers get comfortable seats, good adjustability, fantastic visibility, and plenty of room both front and rear. That’s not always the case when small SUVs need to adhere to compact external dimensions.
Even the most basic version of the Kona comes with standard equipment like LED headlights, keyless entry and start, a huge 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a wireless phone charger, leather steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control with rear seat air vents.
That’s a comprehensive equipment list for a car that starts from $32,500. Opting for the hybrid version adds $4000 to the price of entry, but more than just cutting fuel use, Hyundai’s hybrid system adds extra oomph at city speeds.
A choice of petrol, turbo-petrol, and hybrid four-cylinder engines makes it easy to find your perfect match from performance to economy. In the judges' eyes, the hybrid versions stand out, with decent performance and respectable fuel consumption.
The smooth blending of electric and petrol power, and the conventional driving feel of the Kona Hybrid’s six-speed automatic blend the best aspects of smooth and quiet hybrids without the sometimes laggy or lacklustre driving feel felt in rivals,
On the safety front Hyundai again shows a strong hand.
The Kona boasts autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle detection, intersection support, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and a driver attention monitor.
Some of those features, like the lane-assist and adaptive cruise control functions have been meticulously honed to ensure they work with the driver and provide a natural and unobtrusive feel when they do chime in.
Hyundai has also worked to tame its speed limit monitoring chimes. A bugbear when launched, the new overspeed warning are now less obtrusive with the ability to be muted more easily.
As good as the package is overall, Hyundai’s servicing costs and intervals aren’t the sharpest in the segment, and we’d love to see the brand give this some attention. Similarly, we lean towards the hybrid versions for their superior efficiency, something the non-hybrid versions fall short on.
But these minor gripes are overshadowed by the overall polish and presentation of the Hyundai Kona. A fitting winner of the Best Small SUV under $50K award.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
