2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from the typical family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not have appealed to everyone, those who appreciated its aesthetics likely found other aspects of the vehicle to their liking. The Palisade was available in several trims, including the SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy, and the new-for-2024 Calligraphy Night Edition. Prices ranged from $36,650 to $53,850, excluding the $1,395 destination charge. The Calligraphy Night Edition, priced at $55,930, featured a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim, available in Abyss Black or Hyper White paint colors, paired with a luxurious black interior.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from its 2024 predecessor, maintained a fresh appearance that distinguished it from other crossovers. Its design featured a flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars, giving even the gas-powered models a futuristic look. The Kona was notably larger than previous generations, offering more interior space and a more assertive road presence. The 2025 lineup included trims such as SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, N Line S, N Line, and Limited, each adding unique design elements and features. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, providing a solid and airy feel with ample tech, including standard 64-color ambient lighting on higher trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available. The Palisade boasted a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and offered eight inches of ground clearance. Various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, were available, with the AWD system capable of locking power distribution for off-road conditions. Despite its power, the Palisade averaged 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode during testing, slightly below the EPA's 21 mpg estimate for AWD models. The SUV provided a firm yet comfortable ride, with excellent visibility and handling, especially on mountain roads.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options for its gas-powered models. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims featured a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). For those seeking more power, the N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup for an additional $1,500, enhancing the Kona's handling with a multi-link rear suspension. While the Kona's performance was adequate, it prioritized competence over excitement, with the turbo engine providing a more muscular experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts in the Calligraphy Night Edition. Heated and ventilated front seats were available, with additional comfort features like memory settings and an Ergo Motion massage function for the driver. The Palisade's interior was spacious, with configurable storage options and a generous cargo capacity of up to 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Second-row passengers enjoyed excellent comfort, with optional heated and ventilated captain's chairs and a rear climate control panel. The hands-free power tailgate added convenience, although it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona provided a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, with 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, expandable to 63.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, offering decent comfort for passengers. The front seats featured a generous range of movement, with a reach- and height-adjustable steering wheel. The Kona's interior boasted excellent storage options, with numerous shelves, trays, and cubbies. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth seats on lower trims and Alcantara sport seats or H-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Heating and ventilation features were available, with dual-zone automatic climate control on most trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a rear-seat Quiet Mode. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable, while wireless charging was standard from the SEL trim. The Harman Kardon premium sound system provided excellent audio quality, and additional technologies included a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display offered valuable information, although it was incompatible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona continued to offer 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 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing customization and cohesion. Audiophiles could upgrade to the N Line or Limited trim for an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates, ensuring features remained up to date.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, offering a hands-on driving system for highway travel. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although some crash test results were incomplete.

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 Kona included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.