2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) focus, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The front grille closely resembled that of the Ioniq 5, featuring a single-piece design that signaled its electric powertrain. 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 new Kona lineup, 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 gear shift moved to a stalk on the steering column. The most striking update was the curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, alongside revised vents, climate controls, and dash.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its distinctive retro-inspired appearance, drawing comparisons to the 1986-1991 Lancia Delta. The mid-cycle refresh kept the styling largely unchanged, with minor revisions to the lower front fascia. The "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, round wheel arches, diagonal crease, and high rear spoiler remained key design elements. The new XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern. Exclusive colors like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl were available for the XRT, while the overall color palette expanded with Atlas White Matte and Ecotronic Gray Matte. New wheel designs were introduced, with 19-inch wheels standard on SE and SEL trims, 20-inch on the Limited, and rally-style 18-inch wheels exclusive to the XRT. The interior saw minor changes, maintaining its open and uncluttered space with a minimalistic and modern feel. The center console was revised for functionality, and the XRT trim featured a dark interior with all-weather floor mats and the XRT logo debossed in the seats.

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

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT featured etched badging, extra cladding, and a solid front fascia for added protection. The XRT introduced a Terrain Mode button on the steering wheel, offering Snow, Mud, and Sand options that adjusted throttle mapping, wheel slip, power distribution, and regenerative braking. The XRT handled off-road conditions well, with regenerative braking eliminating the need for hill-descent control. The XRT was AWD-only, while the base SE Standard Range was RWD. SE, SEL, and Limited trims were RWD by default, with AWD available for a fee. The Ioniq 5's battery capacity increased for 2025, offering a range of up to 318 miles in RWD configuration, with AWD reducing range slightly. Power output varied with powertrain choice, with RWD models producing 168 to 225 horsepower and AWD models delivering 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length translated to more rear-seat legroom, measuring 38.2 inches, and improved headroom at 38.3 inches with the sunroof. Cargo capacity expanded significantly 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 easy access. Inside, a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash provided storage, while a "guardrail" kept phones in place on the wireless charging pad. The Kona offered cloth seats on 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 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper. The movable center console featured fore-and-aft cupholders, with a wireless charging pad alongside. Heated front seats were standard, with a heated steering wheel available from the SEL trim. The Limited trim offered front seat ventilation and driver's seat memory. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, with headroom ranging from 39.1 to 39.8 inches front and 37.5 to 38.7 inches rear. Legroom was generous at 41.7 inches front and 39.4 inches rear. Cargo space measured 26.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up, plus an additional .85 cubic feet in the "frunk." The Ioniq 5 transitioned to the North American Charging System (NACS), allowing access to the Tesla Supercharger network, and included a Combined Charging System (CCS) adapter for public and fast charging.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on lower trims and promised for higher trims via an OTA update. N-Line and Limited trims offered wireless device charging and a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The upgraded stereo system was 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 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its pair of 12.3-inch screens, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT trim. SE and SEL trims had a six-speaker sound system, with standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and Bluetooth connectivity supporting two devices. Five USB-C ports were included, with a central port offering charging and data transmitting options. A head-up display was available on the Limited trim, and a wireless charging pad was standard from the SEL trim.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona offered advanced driver-assistance safety features across its lineup. Standard features included Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was now standard, with adaptive cruise control available on N-Line and Limited trims. The Limited trim also featured 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.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its high safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. New standard safety features included an enhanced driver attention system with haptic steering wheel feedback and hands-on detection, as well as reverse and forward parking-distance warning. The XRT trim included surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2 were available, with HDA 2 offering lane-changing capability and machine learning for improved driving style approximation.