2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was a minivan that defied traditional expectations. While minivans often conjured images of family road trips and utilitarian design, the Sienna aimed to break that mold. Its front-end styling was reminiscent of a sleek Japanese bullet train, and the availability of 20-inch wheels on certain trims added a touch of sportiness. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, with the 25th Anniversary Special Edition providing a unique option. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality materials, such as the brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the latter configuration allowing for three car seats in the middle row.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, embraced its identity as an electric vehicle (EV) from the start. Its design featured a grille reminiscent of the Ioniq 5, with a single-piece appearance that signaled its electric powertrain. The Kona's "seamless horizon" styling, with a skinny LED headlight dominating the front, gave it a modern and futuristic look. Despite its larger size, the Kona retained a recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and substantial black body cladding. The interior received significant updates, including a driver-oriented center stack and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens. The Kona's cabin was designed for comfort and functionality, with features like a power hands-free liftgate and a wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and an additional rear-mounted motor for all-wheel drive (AWD) trims. This setup delivered a total of 245 horsepower, which, while efficient, felt somewhat underpowered for the Sienna's size. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a less-than-ideal driving experience, with the engine revving noticeably. However, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a surprisingly fun driving experience for a minivan. The Sienna's light steering made city driving a breeze, and its various drive modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, allowed for some customization, though Normal mode was recommended for the best balance.

In contrast, 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 and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for the N-Line and Limited trims. The base engine produced 147 horsepower, while the turbocharged version delivered 190 horsepower. The Kona's transmission was upgraded to an eight-speed automatic, replacing the previous seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Paddle shifters were available on the N-Line and Limited trims, enhancing the driving experience. The Kona's handling was intuitive and nimble, making it well-suited for city driving. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional cost, though it slightly reduced fuel economy.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions. It featured numerous cubbies, nooks, and bins, including a spacious open cubby below the center console and a long shelf extending across the dash. The Sienna's minivan platform allowed for impressive cargo space, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a total of 101 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the middle row of seats couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor, limiting maximum cargo capacity compared to some competitors. The second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and the ability to slide forward and backward, providing ample legroom for third-row passengers.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from its increased length, resulting in improved rear-seat legroom of 38.2 inches and enhanced cargo capacity. The Kona offered 25.5 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The cabin featured thoughtful storage solutions, such as a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a wireless charging pad with a "guardrail" to keep devices in place. The Kona's seating options included cloth seats for the SE and SEL trims, a leather/suede combination for the N-Line, and Hyundai's H-Tex leatherette for the Limited trim. Ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on the Limited trim, adding to the Kona's comfort and convenience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna's technology offerings were somewhat dated compared to newer models. It featured an older infotainment interface with core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, and the interface could be clunky to use. The Sienna's 9-inch touchscreen, while not impressive on paper, looked adequate in person. The 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality, but the overall technology package felt lacking compared to more modern vehicles.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona received several technological upgrades for 2024. A 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display became standard across the lineup, replacing the smaller screens of the previous model. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were initially available only on the lower trims, Hyundai promised an over-the-air update to add wireless connectivity to the top trims. The Kona also featured wireless device charging, a new Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens created a panoramic view in the curved housing, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, with a subscription included for the vehicle's life.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These features were particularly valuable for a family vehicle. The Sienna received a 5-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the mechanically identical 2022 model. While it lacked some of the more gimmicky features found in competitors, the Sienna prioritized safety.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona continued Hyundai's tradition of offering advanced safety features across its lineup. It came with standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. For 2024, high-beam assist became standard, and adaptive cruise control was included on N-Line and Limited trims. The Limited trim also featured a Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist, providing a confident driving experience.