2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

Hyundai's 2024 Kona was crafted with an electric vehicle (EV) design ethos, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The front grille mirrored the Ioniq 5's design, featuring a single-piece look that signaled its electric powertrain roots. The Kona adopted the "seamless horizon" styling, with a prominent skinny LED headlight at the front. Despite its increased length, the Kona maintained its recognizable silhouette, with new creased "parametric surface" doors and more pronounced black body cladding on various trims. The rear showcased a single taillight spanning the vehicle's width, and wheel sizes varied from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim. Inside, the Kona's cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing driver-information and infotainment screens.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna retained its minivan essence, albeit with attempts at a stylish twist. Its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines gave it a distinctive look, while the narrow taillights and rear fenders added a touch of flair. The Sienna's Platinum trim introduced new flower-petal wheel designs. Despite these efforts, the Sienna remained a minivan at heart, prioritizing practicality over style. The interior updates included a new woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna's design aimed to balance functionality with a hint of sophistication, catering to families seeking a spacious and versatile vehicle.

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. The N-Line and Limited trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The previous seven-speed dual-clutch transmission was replaced with an eight-speed automatic transmission for 2024. Paddle shifters were available on the N-Line and Limited trims, with an option for the SEL Convenience Package. The Kona offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500. Opting for AWD slightly reduced fuel economy estimates.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hybrid system produced a net horsepower of 245, providing adequate power for a minivan seating up to eight and towing up to 3,500 pounds. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving for the FWD model. However, during testing, the Sienna averaged 26.3 mpg. The Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, though not particularly engaging. The XSE trim offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more dynamic driving experience. The Sienna excelled in providing a smooth and quiet ride, with the CVT occasionally emitting a droning sound during hard acceleration.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length translated to improved rear-seat legroom, measuring 38.2 inches, and enhanced cargo capacity, expanding 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 to the cargo area. Inside, the Kona offered practical storage solutions, including a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The Kona's seating options included cloth seats 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.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized form and function, offering power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats wrapped in perforated leather. The Platinum trim's second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular among passengers. The Sienna's third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably, and the sliding side doors facilitated easy loading and unloading. The Sienna provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third-row seats stowed. Maximum cargo capacity reached 101 cubic feet, though the Sienna's second-row seats were not removable, limiting its cargo versatility compared to rivals.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced several technological enhancements, including a standard 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display 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. The Kona featured wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens created a panoramic view in the curved housing, available with the Convenience Package and included with N-Line and Limited trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, with a subscription included for the vehicle's life.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered access to five connected services plans, with varying complimentary subscription periods. The Drive Connect plan included a digital assistant that responded to conversational commands. The Sienna Platinum featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though the sound quality was criticized for excessive bass. The four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera were appreciated for their functionality.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance safety features. Standard features included Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, while adaptive cruise control was 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 impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist and intuitive operation.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sienna's TSS 2.0 provided a more straightforward and less intrusive experience compared to TSS 3.0. The Sienna added a new rear-seat reminder technology for 2025, enhancing safety for families. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it received lower scores in frontal crash tests.