2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, characterized by subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. Despite the typical reservations about coupelike styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a nod to traditional design amidst a trend of larger screens, and while materials were of good quality, the Q5 no longer felt as special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) focus, evident in its grille resembling the Ioniq 5's and the seamless horizon styling seen on the new Sonata. Despite its increased size, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette, with new visual elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and substantial black body cladding on lower trims. The Kona lineup came standard with LED lighting and offered wheel sizes from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim. Inside, the cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack and a gear shift moved to the steering column, creating more space. The most noticeable update was the curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, alongside revised vents and climate controls.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, exclusively available with the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV) delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery due to the transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, power was adequate, and handling was sporty, with precise steering. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with a quiet engine and minimal road noise.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder for SE and SEL trims, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder for N-Line and Limited trims. The base engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the turbo engine delivered 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were available on N-Line and Limited trims. During a test drive, the Kona Limited showed slow pickup even with the turbo, but steering and handling were intuitive and nimble. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional fee, affecting fuel economy slightly.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018, with a well-placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional dials for climate controls. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar, and the rear view was better than average. The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably. Storage options included several oddly sized compartments, with a wireless phone charger on a sliding tray covering the cupholders. Cargo space was 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, slightly reduced in the Sportback model.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length was evident in the rear seat and cargo area. Rear-seat legroom was 38.2 inches, with headroom at 38.3 inches front and rear with the sunroof. Cargo capacity increased to 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate for easy access. Inside, a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash provided additional storage, and a guardrail kept phones in place on the wireless charging pad. Seating options included cloth for lower trims and leather/suede for higher trims, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses, though system boot-up and Apple CarPlay activation were slow. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto were available across all trims, with a Bang & Olufsen audio system standard on higher trims. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with Audi Connect Care service included for a limited time. Mid-range trims featured a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen standard across the lineup, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto initially available only on lower trims. An over-the-air update was promised to add wireless connectivity to higher trims. The Kona featured wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens were optional with the Convenience Package and standard on higher trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, with a subscription included for the vehicle's life.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ with "Good" ratings in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The top trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, and a semi-automated parking system.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came with standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, with adaptive cruise control on higher trims. The Limited trim included Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite offered Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features, with smooth lane-keep assist and a clear inventory of driver-assistance features.