2023 Kia Sportage vs 2024 Hyundai Kona

The 2023 Kia Sportage emerged with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic, reminiscent of French automotive styling. Its distinctive features, such as the bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, added a touch of class to this compact crossover. The Sportage was available in seven trim levels, including the new X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige trims. Inside, Kia opted for synthetic leather upholstery, which, while durable, didn't quite match the feel of genuine leather. The interior boasted a large front windshield and a low beltline for excellent visibility, complemented by over two feet of display on the dash in trims above the base model. However, the use of hard-wearing plastic and piano-black plastic in the cabin was a bit more typical of the compact-crossover class.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) focus, evident in its grille and seamless horizon styling. The new Kona retained its recognizable silhouette but featured updated elements like the creased "parametric surface" of the doors and more substantial black body cladding. The Kona lineup came standard with LED lighting and offered a range of wheel sizes across trims. Inside, the Kona's cabin was noticeably updated with a driver-oriented center stack and a relocated gear shift, creating more storage space. The most striking update was the curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, along with revised vents and climate controls.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Sportage's engine was slightly larger and more powerful than its predecessor, yet more fuel-efficient, achieving 25 mpg city and 32 highway with FWD. However, the absence of a turbocharged engine option, which was available in the previous generation, left some drivers wanting more power. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-road features, respectively, with the X-Pro offering all-terrain tires and specific drive modes. The Sportage's 8.3 inches of ground clearance on AWD models made it capable off-road, though the naturally aspirated engine required effort to keep up with turbocharged competitors.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE and SEL trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The N-Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were available on the N-Line and Limited trims, enhancing the driving experience. The Kona's FWD was standard, with AWD available for an additional fee, though opting for AWD slightly reduced fuel economy. During a test drive, the Kona's turbo engine provided adequate pickup, and its intuitive steering and nimble handling were appreciated on city streets.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor, with a 7.1-inch longer body and a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. Rear-seat legroom was an impressive 41.3 inches, and the trunk provided 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front seats featured typical storage options, but the HVAC controls were criticized for their touch-sensitive buttons, which could be frustrating to use while driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length translated to improved rear-seat legroom at 38.2 inches and a more comfortable second-row space. Cargo capacity also saw a significant boost, with 25.5 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate for easy access. Inside, the cabin offered practical storage solutions, including a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The Kona's seating options included cloth seats for lower trims and a leather/suede combination for higher trims, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2023 Kia Sportage impressed with its technology offerings, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX and higher trims, paired with a panoramic, curved driver information display on the SX trim and up. However, the wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims puzzled some buyers, as the base LX trim offered wireless connectivity. The Sportage included wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, navigation, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and a Harman Kardon stereo on select trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced several technological enhancements, with a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display standard across the lineup. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were initially limited to lower trims, an over-the-air update was promised to bring 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 created a panoramic view in higher trims, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard on all 2024 Konas.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims included advanced safety features like the blind-view monitor and Highway driving assist.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona continued Hyundai's tradition of offering high-quality safety tech across its lineup. Standard features included Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. The Kona also introduced high-beam assist and adaptive cruise control on higher trims, with the Limited trim featuring Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist.