2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2024 MINI Countryman

The 2024 MINI Countryman exuded a playful charm, staying true to its British roots with classic Mini styling cues. Its design featured an erect wraparound windshield, a floating roof reminiscent of a bimini top, and Union Jack tail lights that proudly declared its heritage. The Countryman offered a variety of customization options, including numerous paint treatments and wheel designs, although it was peculiar that dark tinted rear privacy glass was an optional feature rather than standard. The lineup included several models, each with distinct drivetrains, from the underpowered Cooper to the plug-in hybrid Cooper SE, and the more robust Cooper S and John Cooper Works. Our test vehicle, a Cooper S with the Iconic trim package, boasted premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a semi-autonomous parking system, all for an MSRP of $41,945. The interior was a blend of classic Mini character and modern technology, featuring digital instrumentation and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh and futuristic appearance, with a largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars. The Kona's design was not traditionally handsome, but its curves and angles created a satisfactory visual appeal. The 2025 model was notably larger, offering more interior space and a more assertive road presence. The Kona's trim levels ranged from SE to Limited, with the sportier N Line S and N Line trims featuring body-colored bumpers and cladding. The interior remained unchanged from the previous year, providing a solid and airy feel, with a drive selector relocated to a column beneath the wiper stalk. The Kona offered a range of upholstery options, from cloth to Alcantara sport seats and H-Tex leatherette, with heated and ventilated front seats available on higher trims. The dual-zone automatic climate control and ample in-car storage added to the Kona's practicality.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered a range of performance options, with the John Cooper Works model standing out for its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. This powerhouse could accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it the choice for speed enthusiasts. The Cooper S, with its 189 hp turbocharged engine, provided a zippy and athletic drive, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The Countryman excelled in daily commuting and errand-running, though it wasn't designed for off-road adventures. Despite its sporty tires and adaptive damping suspension, the Cooper S wasn't the most engaging for spirited driving, but it offered a rewarding rhythm on twisty roads. The test vehicle's fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg combined, though real-world testing yielded 25.4 mpg.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered two gas-powered engine options. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims featured a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) for fuel efficiency. For those seeking more power, the N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a more muscular performance, though it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup, enhancing traction and handling. The Kona's ride and handling prioritized competence over excitement, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered seating for four adults, with enough luggage space for a week-long road trip. The Iconic trim package added dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, and power-adjustable heated front seats. While the Countryman had seatbelts for five, four passengers would be more comfortable. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though squeezing in a fifth person was challenging. The Mini's compact dimensions made parking easy, though it lacked advanced parking technologies. Interior storage was reasonable, but the smartphone charging pad obstructed access to the tray beneath it. Cargo space was limited, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its cargo capacity, offering 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 63.7 cubic feet when folded. The dual-level cargo floor added versatility. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, providing comfort for most passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was adjustable for reach and height. The Kona's interior featured numerous storage compartments, enhancing practicality. Upholstery options varied by trim, with heated and ventilated front seats available on higher trims. The climate control system progressed from single-zone air conditioning to dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents.

The 2024 MINI Countryman featured a small digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD) projecting information on a small screen. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed in a round casing reminiscent of classic Mini models, used BMW's iDrive technology. It offered multiple interaction methods, including touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. While the system lacked Android Auto, it provided Apple CarPlay. The Iconic trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona boasted a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Higher trims added 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 opt for the N Line or Limited trim for an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates, ensuring features remained up to date.

The 2024 MINI Countryman offered limited advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear parking sensors and an emergency SOS call button were also included. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims. The Countryman lacked blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Countryman as Good in crashworthiness evaluations.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety technology. Standard features included Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Limited trim offered parking assistance technologies. All Konas included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.