2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design and luxury-car style. It featured signature Genesis styling elements like split headlights and a large shield-like grille, but with a sleeker profile than the larger GV80 and less quirkiness than the smaller GV60. Notable details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the Sport Prestige trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury aesthetics, outperforming competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in finesse. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a shiny grille housing the charge port for convenience at charging stations. Inside, the GV70 offered a distinctive interior with luxury touches like quilted Nappa leather and a panoramic sunroof, complemented by unique design elements such as an elliptical pod for controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from the 2024 model, maintained a fresh appearance that set it apart in the crossover class. Its flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars gave even the gas-powered models a futuristic look. The Kona's design featured a mix of curves, bulges, and sharp angles that created a satisfactory aesthetic. The 2025 model was larger, offering more interior space and a more assertive road presence. The new N Line S and N Line trims added sportier design elements, including body-colored bumpers and cladding. The Kona's interior remained unchanged from 2024, with a solid construction and airy feel. The 2025 model introduced standard 64-color ambient lighting on higher trims, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. The Kona offered a range of trims with varying levels of visual enhancements, from cloth upholstery on lower trims to Alcantara sport seats and H-Tex leatherette on higher trims.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered unchanged powertrain options, with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors delivering a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or Porsche Macan. The GV70's ride quality was competent but not exceptional, with a tendency to crash over bumps. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar driving dynamics to the gasoline model, with the added benefit of adjustable regenerative braking for one-pedal driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available across the lineup, offering active on-demand drive to the rear axle and a dedicated Snow mode. AWD models featured a multi-link rear suspension for improved ride and handling. The Kona prioritized competence over excitement in its driving dynamics, offering a balanced and capable performance for its class.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats in place, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with seats folded. The Electrified GV70 had minimal impact on interior space, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the cost of limited small-item storage, but it included features like a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. The Electrified GV70 also featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with rear seats in place, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet with seats folded. It provided ample rear legroom at 38.2 inches and headroom at 38.3 inches, ensuring comfort for passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of movement, and the drive selector's relocation to the steering column created additional storage space. The Kona featured various upholstery options, from cloth on lower trims to Alcantara sport seats and H-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Heating and ventilation options varied by trim, with dual-zone automatic climate control available on most trims.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The system was user-friendly, with an intuitive layout and a rotary controller for alternative operation. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key for smartphone-based access.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims included wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai's digital key. Lower trims had a 4.2-inch color multi-information display, while higher trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Kona offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system on higher trims, with SiriusXM and HD Radio standard across all trims. Built-in navigation was available on select trims, and Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA awarded four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for gasoline models, with a five-star overall rating for the 2023 model. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. An advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system was available, adding automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. Limited trim included parking assistance features like Parking Distance Warning and Surround View Monitor. All Konas came with six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona earned the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award.