Top Safety Pick +

2025 Hyundai Kona

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Standard rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Kona SEL 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Kona was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Kona conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2313
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	11
Footrest (cm)	8
Left toepan (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	7
Lower instrument panel (cm)	6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2313
Head
HIC-15	128
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	23
Maximum Nij	0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	2.1
Right	0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.44
Right	0.33
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.9
Right	0.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	51
Right	40

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Kona SEL 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Kona was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Kona conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2322
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Footrest (cm)	7
Right toepan (cm)	4
Center toepan (cm)	2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	4
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Upper dash (cm)	6
Right lower dash (cm)	8

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2322
Head
HIC-15	115
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.5
Extension bending moment (Nm)	19
Maximum Nij	0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm)	20
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	2.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	9
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.30
Right	0.92
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.1
Right	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	38
Right	35

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2322
Head
HIC-15	74
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	6
Maximum Nij	0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.30
Right	0.19
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.4
Right	0.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	44
Right	42

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Kona was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Two tests of the Kona were conducted, the first by the Institute and the second by Hyundai. In the IIHS test, an engine bay fire occurred. While this shouldn't happen, it did not affect vehicle structure or dummy injuries in this test.

Beginning with vehicles built after December 2023, Hyundai modified N-Line Kona's with the 1.6 liter turbo engine to prevent such fires. Hyundai has implemented a recall to apply the same fix to cars built earlier. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

In the second test conducted by Hyundai on a vehicle with the modification, no engine bay fire was observed. Ratings of the Kona are based on the Institute's test.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt moved too far upward toward the dummy’s neck, compromising the effectiveness of the rear restraint system.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2346
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	9
Left (cm)	16
Center (cm)	13
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	4
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1
Right (cm)	3
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-1
Rearward (cm)	-4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2346
Head
HIC-15	199
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.51
Right	0.90
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	60
Right	81

Test ID	CEF2346
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.5
Compression (kN)	0.1
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	27
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	3.9
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.0
Right femur compression	0.0

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Kona 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Kona was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Kona conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2343
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-20.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2343
Head
HIC-15	251
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Compression (kN)	-0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	28
Lateral force (kN)	0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	40
Average deflection (mm)	32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.22
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.49
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2343
Head
HIC-15	282
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	-0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	53
Lateral force (kN)	1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	41
Average deflection (mm)	32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.67
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.59
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	3.4

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on the gradual left curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	76.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	60.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	75.0 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	63.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	68.7 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	61.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	166.0 m
Straightaway left edge	104.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	87.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	75.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	71.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	63.6 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

System details

standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

of the following trim lines: SEL trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 33 mph and a warning was issued 1.2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	N Line
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	N Line
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	11
Clearance angle (degrees)	74
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	68
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	22
Clearance angle (degrees)	63
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	19
Clearance angle (degrees)	71
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	61 dB
Difference between background and signal	10.0 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	56 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	62 dB
Difference between background and signal	6.9 dB
Dominant audio frequency	2220 Hz