Generation history
The Hyundai Kona has been through 2 generations, starting in 2017 and 2023. The gaps were 6 years, an average of 6.0. Redesigns come quickly on this model. The current generation began in 2023. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2028 through 2030, centered on 2029. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The second-generation Kona was revealed in December 2022. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Hyundai Kona model page.
Every generation
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | OS | 2017–2023 | The first-generation Kona was revealed in June 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. |
| Second generation | SX2 | 2023–present | The second-generation Kona was revealed in December 2022. |
The Hyundai Kona spent 6.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 3 years old. Treat 2028 to 2030 as a range, not a date.
Source: Hyundai Kona (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Hyundai Kona model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
The first-generation Kona was revealed in June 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. Positioned below the Tucson, it was the smallest crossover SUV in the Hyundai global line-up until that position was taken by the Venue in 2019. The first-generation Kona was built on a newly developed B-segment SUV platform derived from the Hyundai i30 platform which was designed to accommodate a range of powertrains, including fuel cell and electric variants.
The second-generation Kona was revealed in December 2022. It is available with petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid and battery electric models, while diesel engine options are no longer offered. According to Hyundai, the second-generation Kona was first designed as a battery electric vehicle before being adapted for other variants. Compared to the previous generation, the vehicle has a significantly larger footprint with around 150 mm (5.9 in) additional length (depending on the variant) and a 60 mm (2.4 in) longer wheelbase.
Generation notes adapted from Hyundai Kona (Wikipedia).
Today's Hyundai Kona
NHTSA rated the 2025 Hyundai Kona overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Kona, most often about electrical system (9), unknown or other (6), service brakes (4).