2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E was a bold move by Ford, blending the iconic Mustang styling with a five-door electric crossover SUV. Despite initial skepticism, the design choice proved successful, with the Mach-E's long, narrow, and tall dimensions adorned with Mustang's signature galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, and tri-bar taillights. This visual connection to the legendary pony car contributed significantly to its popularity. Since its debut in 2021, Ford produced over 150,000 units, shipping them worldwide. In the U.S., the Mach-E was available in Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT trims, with prices ranging from $45,995 to $63,995, plus a $1,800 destination charge. The GT trim, in particular, stood out with its aggressive styling, featuring revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille. Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded luxury, with artificial leather and synthetic suede-wrapped sport-bolstered seats, copper stitching, and a high-tech ambiance created by metallic and gloss-black trim paired with dual rectangular display screens.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona, designed as an electric vehicle first, showcased a modern and sleek appearance. Its grille resembled the Ioniq 5's, and the "seamless horizon" styling with a single skinny LED headlight dominated the front end. Despite its larger size, the Kona retained a recognizable silhouette, with new creased "parametric surface" doors and substantial black body cladding on the base SE, SEL, and Limited trims. The sporty N-Line trim featured body-colored wheel arches. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights enhanced its modern look, while the rear showcased a single taillight spanning the vehicle's width. Inside, the Kona's cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens. The interior updates, combined with the new design elements, created a more comfortable and spacious environment for passengers.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of configurations, including standard-range and extended-range battery packs, as well as single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems. Power output varied from 266 to 480 horsepower, with torque ranging from 317 to 634 lb-ft, and driving range spanning 224 to 312 miles. The Mach-E GT, equipped with an extended-range battery and AWD, delivered 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The EPA estimated its driving range at 270 miles. The GT Performance Edition package increased torque to 634 lb-ft, reduced range to 260 miles, and enhanced performance with adaptive damping suspension, larger front brakes, and summer performance tires. The Mach-E GT featured Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled driving modes, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for racetrack use. Despite its impressive speed, the steering in Engage mode lacked sharpness, but the overall driving dynamics were commendable. The brakes provided consistent performance, though the ride quality was firm. The Mach-E GT achieved an efficiency of 2.7 miles per kilowatt-hour, surpassing the EPA estimate of 40 kWh/100 mi.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for SE and SEL trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The N-Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were available on N-Line and Limited trims, and the SEL Convenience Package added paddles for the CVT. During the Kona launch, the Limited trim demonstrated intuitive steering and nimble handling, though pickup was slightly slow even with the turbo engine. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional $1,500. Opting for AWD reduced EPA fuel economy estimates from 26 city, 32 highway, and 28 mpg combined to 24 city, 29 highway, and 26 mpg combined.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV configuration, offered a balance of form and function. It provided seating for up to five people and 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk (frunk). The GT trim featured eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, wrapped in black ActiveX artificial leather with black Miko synthetic suede inserts. The Performance Edition package added performance seats with unique upholstery. A tiered center console with covered and open storage areas enhanced practicality. The rear seat accommodated passengers comfortably, with wide-opening rear doors and a panoramic glass roof creating an airy environment. The Mach-E offered 29.7 cu-ft of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 59.7 cu-ft with the rear seats folded. The frunk, measuring 4.7 cu-ft, was designed for easy cleaning with a drain plug.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length translated to improved rear-seat legroom, measuring 38.2 inches, three inches longer than the 2023 Kona and six more than the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. The narrower, molded front seats created a more comfortable space for rear passengers. Headroom increased to 38.3 inches front and rear with the sunroof. Cargo capacity expanded from 19.2 to 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.7 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, while a "guardrail" kept phones secure on the wireless charging pad. The center console's short and shallow tray was suitable for small items. The Kona offered cloth seats on SE and SEL trims, a leather/suede combination for N-Line, and H-Tex leatherette for Limited. Ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on the Limited trim, with heated front seats available on N-Line and SEL with the Convenience Package.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A infotainment platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. Sync 4A learned user habits and provided predictive suggestions. The system was user-friendly, though a radio tuning knob and driving mode button were missed. The Bang & Olufsen premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality. A 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display showed essential data. Phone As A Key technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access and operation.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen standard across the lineup, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on lower trims. An OTA update was promised to add wireless connectivity to higher trims. N-Line and Limited trims featured wireless device charging and a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The upgraded stereo system was provided by Bose. Dual 12.3-inch screens created a panoramic view in higher trims. OTA update capability and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, with a subscription included for the vehicle's life.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came with Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 technology and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise 1.2 added features like lane-change and predictive speed assist. The system performed well but required constant monitoring. The Mach-E received top marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022. NHTSA ratings were pending, with top scores for side-impact protection and rollover resistance.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, with adaptive cruise control on N-Line and Limited trims. The Limited trim included Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with smooth lane-keep assist. The system was user-friendly, with a clear inventory of driver-assistance features.