2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Base trim had a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim boasted a wide stance, elevated height, and massive fender flares. The Heritage trim added nostalgic touches with a white grille, roof, and wheels, and unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's design was not just for aesthetics; functional elements like cleats above the headlights and raised "fins" helped secure cargo and provided better vehicle corner awareness. Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof materials, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. The interior was designed for durability, with sturdy handholds and a grid-like mesh for attaching accessories, though it lacked the softness of typical SUVs.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona, designed as an electric vehicle first, showcased a modern look with a grille resembling the Ioniq 5 and a single-piece appearance. The new Kona featured "seamless horizon" styling with a skinny LED headlight dominating the front. Despite its larger size, the Kona retained a recognizable silhouette, with new creased "parametric surface" doors and substantial black body cladding. The Kona lineup came standard with LED lights and offered 17-inch to 19-inch wheels depending on the trim. Inside, the Kona's cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a gear shift moved to the steering column, and a curved display housing driver-information and infotainment screens. The interior was refined with revised vents, climate controls, and dash, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-liter V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-tier Raptor featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The base engine was adequate for most drivers, while the Raptor's power was excessive but thrilling. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than average SUVs but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler, with quieter interiors. However, its high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curvy roads, though it felt more confident than expected.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for SE and SEL trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The N-Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now paired 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 its intuitive steering and nimble handling were appreciated. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional fee, affecting fuel economy slightly.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier rear seat access. The two-door model had 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 52.3 cubic feet, while the four-door offered 35.6 cubic feet, expandable to 77.6 cubic feet. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length improved rear-seat legroom to 38.2 inches and headroom to 38.3 inches with the sunroof. Cargo capacity increased to 25.5 cubic feet with rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate for easy access. Inside, a handy shelf on the dash and a "guardrail" on the wireless charging pad enhanced storage. The Kona offered cloth seats on lower trims and leather/suede combinations on higher trims, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2023 Ford Bronco featured G.O.A.T. drive modes for off-road optimization, with manual options for seasoned off-roaders. Camera views and Trail Turn Assist enhanced off-road navigation. The Bronco's infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional 12-inch display for ease of use.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona boasted a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen standard across the lineup, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming soon via OTA update. N-Line and Limited trims offered wireless charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Dual 12.3-inch screens were optional, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial NHTSA crash test results, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" in most tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more, with additional features available in higher packages.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona offered advanced safety features across all trims, with standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. Adaptive cruise control was standard on higher trims, and the Limited trim included Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist impressed with smooth lane-keep assist.