2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a sporty exterior with its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an upgrade with leather-lined interiors, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup with a more sophisticated cabin. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, featured Canyon River Blue paint and a price tag of $41,175, including destination charges. Its conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, gave it a unique look, though it carried too much visual weight over the front wheels. The best view was from the rear quarter, where Volvo-adjacent taillights and a tidy design lent an upscale appearance. Inside, the Sport Touring boasted leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, such as a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vents, creating a sophisticated cabin feel.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from the 2024 model, maintained a fresh appearance with its flush grille and ultra-slim LED light bars, giving it a futuristic look. The Kona's design, with its curves, bulges, and sharp angles, created a satisfactory aesthetic. The newer model was significantly larger, enhancing interior space and road presence. The Kona N Line S and N Line trims featured sportier designs with body-colored bumpers and cladding. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, offering a solid, airy feel with ample tech. The 64-color ambient lighting became standard on N Line, N Line S, and Limited trims. The Kona's interior was practical, with a generous range of seat adjustments and excellent in-car storage, making it a comfortable and functional choice.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a unique two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels. The hybrid system worked transparently, though it produced a low-speed electric vehicle acoustic warning noise and steady-state engine droning on hills. The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid, with standard AWD and larger wheels, was rated at 37 mpg combined by the EPA, but our test vehicle achieved only 32.4 mpg on a mountainous testing loop. Despite this, the CR-V offered a quiet ride, predictable handling, and impressive grip, though the steering felt unusually heavy.

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, 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 an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, though it felt flat at low revs. AWD was available across the lineup, offering active on-demand drive and a dedicated Snow mode. AWD models also featured a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension. The Kona's ride and handling were competent, though not particularly thrilling.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, while the front passenger seat offered similar comfort with limited adjustments. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control enhanced comfort. The CR-V's rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, making it easy to install child safety seats. The back seat was spacious and comfortable, with generous legroom and adjustable backrest angles. The CR-V offered ample storage, though the glove compartment was smaller than expected. The Sport Touring's cargo area measured 34.7 cubic feet, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet when folded. The dual-level cargo floor added versatility. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, with 38.3 inches of headroom, providing adequate space for most passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of adjustments, and the steering wheel was reach- and height-adjustable. The Kona's interior featured excellent storage options, with numerous shelves, trays, and cubbies. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth, Alcantara, and H-Tex leatherette available. Heating and ventilation features progressed from basic single-zone air conditioning to dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an available 9-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a premium sound system were reserved for higher trims. The Sport Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was basic, and the walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind.

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

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitoring. The CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for 2023, though NHTSA ratings were not available.

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 features. All Konas came with six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.