2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the most notable update being the addition of a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan offered a range of prices from $26,950 to $37,680, excluding a destination charge. Despite the variety of exterior colors, interior options, and wheel designs, choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The SEL R-Line trim, with its Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Gray leather interior, was favored for its sporty appearance and upscale cabin, featuring quality materials and advanced lighting technology.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona, redesigned with an electric vehicle focus, showcased a modern look with a grille reminiscent of the Ioniq 5 and a seamless horizon styling. Despite its increased size, the Kona retained a familiar silhouette, with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" and substantial black body cladding. Standard LED lighting and varying wheel sizes across trims added to its appeal. Inside, the Kona featured a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, enhancing the cabin's modernity and functionality.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, offering various driving modes and settings for different terrains. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined, though real-world testing yielded 22.6 mpg. While the powertrain provided adequate performance, it struggled with turbo lag and delayed downshifts, though the vehicle's dynamic qualities and handling were commendable.

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 delivered 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, while the turbo engine offered 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The new eight-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous seven-speed DCT. The Kona's handling was intuitive and nimble, though acceleration was somewhat sluggish. Front-wheel drive was standard, with optional all-wheel drive available, impacting fuel economy slightly.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim provided comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were criticized for their poor ergonomics and distracting nature. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a sizable cargo area, especially in AWD models, which offered up to 73.4 cubic feet of space.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from its increased length, providing 38.2 inches of rear-seat legroom and 38.3 inches of headroom. Cargo capacity improved significantly, with 25.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate, enhancing accessibility. Interior storage was practical, with a handy shelf on the passenger's side and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The Kona's seating options included cloth, leather/suede, and H-Tex leatherette, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was criticized for its complexity and distracting nature, with sub-menus and touch-sensitive controls complicating simple tasks.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto promised via an OTA update for higher trims. The Kona also featured wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens were available with the Convenience Package and included on N-Line and Limited trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, with a lifetime subscription included.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was praised for its effectiveness and subtlety. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came with standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist and adaptive cruise control were standard 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, though it was slightly resistant to cancellation.