2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) aesthetic in mind, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The front grille closely resembled that of the Ioniq 5, featuring a single-piece design that has become synonymous with electric powertrains. The Kona adopted the "seamless horizon" styling seen in the new Sonata, with a prominent skinny LED headlight at the front. Despite its increased size, with nearly 6 inches added to its length, the Kona maintained its recognizable silhouette. The visual updates were more apparent up close, with new creased "parametric surface" doors and more substantial black body cladding on the SE, SEL, and Limited trims. The N-Line trim, however, featured body-colored wheel arches. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights were part of the package, with a single taillight spanning the rear. Wheel sizes varied from 17-inch on the base model to 19-inch on the N-Line and Limited trims. Inside, the Kona's cabin was noticeably updated, with a driver-oriented center stack and a relocated gear shift to the steering column, creating more storage space. The most striking update was the curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, alongside revised vents, climate controls, and dash.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its modern look with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The flat roof, upright grille, and "shark fin" C-pillar gave it a more robust appearance, fitting in with models like the Suburban and Silverado. Each trim had distinct exterior styling elements, with the base Equinox LT offering chrome or a Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim featured black mirrors, badges, a larger grille, and red RS emblems, with 19-inch wheels standard and 20-inch available. The new ACTIV trim stood out with dark chrome accents and simpler grille inserts, emphasizing its adventure orientation with 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Higher trims sported a dark blue Chevy bowtie and two-tone paint options. Inside, the Equinox's cabin was distinct across trims, with a new sub-texture effect around vents and a more open center console. The RS trim offered a storage area and wireless charging pad, while the larger infotainment screen was layered with the driver-information display. The cabin avoided a cheap feel, with textures that felt like a choice rather than a compromise. The ACTIV trim featured a "Maple Sugar and Black" interior theme, while the RS trim had red highlights and contrast stitching, achieving a sporty effect.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, featuring a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the SE and SEL trims, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder for the N-Line and Limited trims. The base engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The turbo engine delivered 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Paddle shifters were available on the N-Line and Limited trims, with the SEL Convenience Package offering them for the CVT. During a test drive from Baltimore to the Maryland countryside, the Kona Limited and N-Line demonstrated intuitive steering and nimble handling, though pickup was slightly slow even with the turbo. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500, affecting fuel economy estimates.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox continued with a single engine offering: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied with powertrain, offering 184 lb-ft in front-wheel-drive models and 203 lb-ft in all-wheel-drive versions. The transmission options differed, with FWD models featuring a CVT and AWD models an eight-speed automatic. The eight-speed was an improvement over the previous six-speed, offering quicker gear changes and reduced noise. The accelerator was responsive at low speeds, though highway merging highlighted the engine's limitations. The ride was generally quiet and comfortable. The Equinox could tow up to 1,500 pounds with AWD, and selectable drive modes were introduced, allowing drivers to switch between Normal, Snow, and Off-Road modes depending on the drivetrain.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length was most noticeable in the rear seat and cargo area. Rear-seat legroom expanded to 38.2 inches, three inches longer than the 2023 model, and six inches more than the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. The narrower, molded front seats created a more comfortable space for rear passengers. Headroom increased to 38.3 inches front and rear with the sunroof, while cargo capacity grew from 19.2 to 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up, and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate for easier access. Inside, a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash provided storage, and a "guardrail" kept phones in place on the wireless charging pad. Seating options included cloth for SE and SEL trims, a leather/suede combination for N-Line, and H-Tex leatherette for Limited. Ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on the Limited trim, with heated front seats available from the N-Line trim.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard on RS and ACTIV trims. Front seat ventilation was available in a $950 package that also included heated rear seats and driver's seat memory. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with 38.2 inches in the front seats with the moonroof, and 37.8 inches in the rear. The moonroof extended into the rear seats, adding light for passengers. The flat floor in the back row was appreciated for accommodating three passengers. The cabin featured a well-placed "dead pedal" for driver comfort. Cargo space was slightly reduced, with 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded down. A hidden storage compartment was available beneath the load floor, though overall cargo volume was small for the class.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced several technological upgrades, including a standard 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen across the lineup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were initially available only on lower trims, with an over-the-air update promised for higher trims. N-Line and Limited trims offered wired connections, wireless device charging, and a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The upgraded stereo system was now provided by Bose, with six speakers standard. Dual 12.3-inch screens created a panoramic view in the curved housing, optional with the Convenience Package and included with N-Line and Limited trims. OTA update capability was standard, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were included for the vehicle's life.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox featured Google Built-In as standard, along with wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps functionality projected onto the driver information display, allowing for simultaneous infotainment activity. Voice control was a challenge, with the assistant's volume set high, though this seemed to be an isolated issue. Most tech features were standard, including an 11.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard for RS and ACTIV trims, available on LT, but there was no option for an upgraded sound system.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was now standard, with adaptive cruise control on N-Line and Limited trims. The Limited trim also included Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features, with smooth lane-keep assist and intuitive steering inputs.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox included most safety features as standard, with an available Safety & Technology package adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. The Chevy Safety Assist suite offered enhanced automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rear seat reminder, and automatic high beams. Teen Driver Technology was also standard, allowing parents to program speed and volume limitations and receive a "report card" on driving behavior.