2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

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, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette, with new visual elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and more substantial black body cladding on various trims. The rear of the vehicle mirrored the front's seamless horizon with a single taillight spanning the width, and the lineup came standard with LED lighting and varying wheel sizes across trims. Inside, the Kona's cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, alongside refined vents, climate controls, and dash.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, marking the start of its third generation. It shed much of its conventional compact SUV styling in favor of a sleek, modern look inspired by VW's electric vehicles. The front featured narrower headlights connected by a plastic trim element, reminiscent of the ID.4 EV. The grille appeared larger, with smaller actual openings and prominent air intakes. The side profile showcased a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black contrasting roof and dark-tinted windows. The rear replaced conventional taillights with a single bar spanning the liftgate, and the overall exterior styling evolved previous themes with influences from newer VW models. Inside, the Tiguan's interior was modernized with a tablet-like infotainment display, a digital instrument panel, and a minimalist dashboard. The gear selector moved to the steering column, creating more storage space, and materials quality was average for the class, with soft-touch materials in key areas.

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, 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), while the turbo engine delivered 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were available on the N-Line and Limited trims, and the SEL Convenience Package offered them for the CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500, though it slightly reduced fuel economy estimates. During a test drive, the Kona Limited and N-Line demonstrated intuitive steering and nimble handling, though pickup was somewhat slow even with the turbo engine.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, similar to the previous generation but with increased output of 201 horsepower and reduced torque of 207 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with front-wheel drive as the default and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive available on all models, standard on the top SEL R-Line trim. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to its predecessor, reaching 60 mph in approximately 8.5 seconds. The drivetrain delivered power smoothly and linearly, with confident braking and a suspension tuned for comfort. The Tiguan cornered with minimal body roll, maintaining composure on winding roads. The cabin was quiet, with well-silenced tire and wind noise. While not sporty, the Tiguan was appropriately tuned for a balance of performance and comfort. A more powerful Turbo version was anticipated for 2026, offering increased output for more spirited drivers, alongside a teased hybrid powertrain.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length was most noticeable in the rear seat and cargo area. Rear-seat legroom increased to 38.2 inches, providing more space than the previous model and the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. Headroom also improved to 38.3 inches with the sunroof, and 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 easier access. Inside, storage was enhanced with a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a "guardrail" 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 on N-Line and SEL with the Convenience Package.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row of seats, resulting in increased second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The elimination of capacitive-touch buttons improved usability, with traditional controls on the steering wheel. Outward visibility was comparable to other small SUVs, with narrow front roof pillars and a sufficiently sized rear window. The center console offered more storage with the gear shifter relocated, featuring cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the new area appeared smaller than before, with angled liftgate hatch limiting bulkier object loading. The Tiguan included remote seatback releases and a power liftgate on all but the base trim, with hands-free operation on the top SEL R-Line.

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 available on lower trims, with an over-the-air update promised for higher trims. N-Line and Limited trims featured wireless device charging and a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The Kona came with six speakers, with an upgraded Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens were 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 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a standard digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display available on higher trims. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were complemented by a wireless phone charger with a cooling fan. Capacitive-touch sliders adorned the infotainment screen frame, but a new volume knob on the center console improved usability. The Tiguan introduced Atmospheres, a feature combining ambient lighting and audio settings to enhance mood. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system available on the top trim. VW's Car-Net system included remote monitoring and control, plus a Wi-Fi hotspot.

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, with adaptive cruise control 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 of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features impressed with smooth lane-keep assist and intuitive operation.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available, but it offered a robust set of standard advanced safety features. These included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. The Emergency Assist system could slow the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Higher trims added features like a head-up display, surround-view camera system, traffic sign reader, and semi-automated parking system. The safety and driver assist features functioned effectively, with no false alarms or oversensitivity issues.