2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E retained its distinctive and sharp styling, with an aggressive front fascia and a sloping profile that maintained its crossover proportions. The tri-bar tail lights, a hallmark of the Mustang nameplate, were refreshed to match the signature lighting of the seventh-generation Ford Mustang. The new Rally trim emerged as the top-of-the-line model, featuring unique styling cues such as LED fog lamps integrated into its grille, a black roof, and a distinctive front splitter and rear spoiler painted in Dark Carbonized Gray. The Oxford White 19-inch wheels were particularly eye-catching, reflecting a design inspired by rally racing. The GT trim offered 20-inch wheels with various finishes, including a new Bronze Appearance Package exclusive to the GT and Rally trims. Inside, the Mach-E’s interior remained familiar, with a minimalist dash and a large touchscreen. The Ford Performance front seats, with their heavier bolstering, became standard on the GT and Rally trims, adding a futuristic touch with Oxford White plastic trim.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from the 2024 model, continued to stand out in the crossover class with its futuristic design. The single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars gave it a distinctive look, and the increased size of the newer model, about six inches longer, provided more interior space and a more assertive road presence. The Kona N Line S and N Line trims featured sportier design elements, including body-colored bumpers and cladding. The interior remained solidly constructed and airy, with a drive selector relocated to a column beneath the wiper stalk, creating a sense of space. The 64-color ambient interior lighting became standard on the N Line, N Line S, and Limited trims. The Kona offered a range of trims, each adding more visual appeal with larger alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. The interior featured a variety of upholstery options, with heated and ventilated front seats available on higher trims.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E continued to deliver a sporty ride, with a firm suspension that prioritized sports-car dynamics over crossover comfort. The GT trim featured the MagneRide damping system, allowing for more adjustment by drive mode. The GT Performance Upgrade package increased torque output to 700 lb-ft, maintaining 480 horsepower, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds. The Mach-E GT and Rally trims offered all-wheel drive, with ranges of 280 and 265 miles, respectively. The Mach-E’s new rear eMotor improved torque and range, with the base model offering 250 miles of range and the Premium trim with extended-range battery reaching 320 miles. Ford also enhanced the DC fast-charging experience, reducing charging time by about 20%.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options for its gas-powered models. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims featured a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission. The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup, providing active on-demand drive to the rear axle and a dedicated Snow mode. The AWD models featured a multi-link rear suspension for improved ride and handling. The Kona’s performance was competent, with the turbo engine offering a broader torque band for more muscular performance.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E excelled in interior space, offering 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The frunk added additional storage, making it easy to clean and ideal for stowing items outside the cabin. The driver and front passenger enjoyed 38.9 inches of headroom, increasing to 40.4 inches with the panoramic glass roof, while rear passengers had 38.2 inches, increasing to 39.3 inches. Legroom measured 43.3 inches in the front and 38.1 inches in the rear. The driver’s seat was power-adjustable, with ActiveX seating surfaces standard across all trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The dual-level cargo floor added versatility. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, with 38.3 inches of headroom, providing ample space for passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of movement, with a reach- and height-adjustable steering wheel. The interior featured excellent storage options, with numerous shelves, trays, and cubbies. Upholstery options varied by trim, with heated and ventilated front seats available on higher trims. The climate control system ranged from basic single-zone air conditioning to dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the latest SYNC 4A infotainment software operating through a 15.5-inch touchscreen. The system included Ford’s Intelligent Range, a cloud-based feature providing real-time range updates. The touchscreen housed climate and temperature controls, with a single hard control for stereo volume and power. The Mach-E’s infotainment system required careful user experience design, as full-screen interfaces could interfere with navigation instructions.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims included wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai’s digital key. The SEL Convenience trim and above featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, providing customization options. The N Line and Limited trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup. Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E came equipped with BlueCruise 1.3, Ford’s hands-free highway-driving assist software, available on all trims. The Ford CoPilot 360 suite included advanced driver-assistance technologies such as blind-spot information, pre-collision assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick Award from the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in side crash and rollover testing.

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 Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Limited trim included parking assistance technologies. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, reflecting its comprehensive safety equipment.