2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing icon in the automotive world, continued to blend seamlessly into traffic despite its massive size. Its imposing dimensions, stretching nearly 19 feet in length and over six feet in height, made it a formidable presence on the road. While its size was not ideal for urban environments, it catered to a specific market segment that valued cargo space, passenger capacity, and towing capabilities. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering a range of features from basic niceties like automatic windshield wipers and LED lights to more luxurious options like leather upholstery and larger alloy wheels. However, even the top-tier High Country trim required additional costs for features like power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious and comfortable cabin, though the interior felt somewhat pedestrian despite its premium features.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh and distinctive appearance, with a sleek grille and ultra-slim LED light bars that gave it a futuristic look. The Kona's design, characterized by curves, bulges, and sharp angles, created a visually appealing package. The 2025 model was larger than its predecessor, offering improved interior space and a more assertive road presence. The Kona was available in several trims, including the sporty N Line S and N Line, which featured body-colored bumpers and cladding. The interior remained unchanged from the 2024 model, providing a solid and airy feel with ample tech features. The addition of 64-color ambient lighting on higher trims enhanced the cabin's ambiance. The Kona's practicality extended to its cargo space, with a dual-level cargo floor and generous rear legroom, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options, catering to different performance needs. The standard 5.3-liter V8 engine, available on most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for towing up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-liter V8 engine, available on higher trims, offered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, delivering smoother acceleration. The third option, a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder, produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering better fuel economy and a lower cost on the High Country trim. The diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided a refined driving experience. The Suburban's size was evident, but its steering and brakes were up to the task, and the height-adjustable air suspension handled rough roads with ease.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered two gas-powered engine options. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims featured a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for fuel efficiency. The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims boasted a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, although it felt slightly flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup, offering enhanced traction and a more sophisticated suspension setup. The Kona's ride and handling prioritized competence, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet with all seats down. This made it a top choice for those needing ample storage for road trips or towing. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for long highway drives between fill-ups.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while smaller, provided a surprising amount of cargo space with 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The dual-level cargo floor added versatility. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, ensuring comfort for passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of movement, and the interior featured numerous storage compartments. The Kona's trims offered various upholstery options, with higher trims providing heated and ventilated seats and dual-zone climate control.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on most trims, with Google Built-in for seamless access to apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, along with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a 12.3-inch central touchscreen across all trims, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims included wireless smartphone charging and a digital key. The SEL Convenience trim and above featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Audiophiles could opt for the N Line or Limited trim for an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air updates.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with advanced driver assistance systems like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist included as standard. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving feature, as an option.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision Warning. Higher trims added features like Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials.