2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 was a testament to Mazda's ambition to elevate its brand into the luxury segment. With its imposing size stretching over 200 inches, the CX-90 commanded attention with its elegant design, reminiscent of its smaller siblings, the CX-30 and CX-5, but on a grander scale. The SUV's exterior featured a prominent grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels, complemented by tasteful chrome trim, which together created a sophisticated appearance. Inside, the top-tier models of the CX-90 boasted interiors that rivaled luxury brands, with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents, offering a premium feel that could challenge the likes of BMW.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh and futuristic appearance from the previous year, with a largely flush grille and ultra-slim LED light bars that gave it a distinctive look in the crossover class. The Kona's design was characterized by its myriad curves and sharp angles, which, while not classically handsome, provided a satisfactory aesthetic. The 2025 model was notably larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and a more assertive road presence. The sportier N Line S and N Line trims featured body-colored bumpers and cladding, enhancing the Kona's dynamic stance. Inside, the Kona's unchanged interior from 2024 continued to impress with its solid construction and airy feel, aided by the repositioned drive selector and ample tech features.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, while the Turbo S variant offered a more potent 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using premium fuel. All models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90's driving modes—Normal, Sport, and Off-Road—allowed for varied driving experiences, with Sport mode enhancing the engine's roar and performance. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an all-electric range of 26 miles and an EPA-estimated 56 MPGe.

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 and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims boasted a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged 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, enhancing traction and handling. The Kona's turbo engine provided adequate performance, although it felt slightly flat at low revs. The AWD models featured a multi-link rear suspension for improved ride quality, while the FWD models used a torsion beam setup.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a range of seating configurations, with lower trims accommodating up to eight passengers and higher trims featuring captain's chairs for a more luxurious experience. The Turbo S models provided a two-seat configuration in the third row, offering slightly more cargo space. The CX-90's cargo capacity ranged from 14.9 to 75.2 cubic feet, depending on the seating arrangement. While the CX-90 improved upon the CX-9's cargo space, it still fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. The interior featured ample storage options, comfortable seats, and high-quality materials, creating a pleasant environment for passengers.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, offered impressive cargo capacity with 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, providing adequate space for 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 cloth, Alcantara, and leatherette available. Heating and ventilation features were also trim-dependent, with higher trims offering more advanced climate control systems.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the system's quirks often led to frustration. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition for automatic seat and mirror adjustments. Standard features included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless connectivity in higher trims. The rotary controller worked with these systems, but touchscreen controls were available for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims included wireless smartphone charging and a digital key. The SEL Convenience trim and above boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing customization and cohesion. The N Line and Limited trims offered an eight-speaker Bose audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates, ensuring features remained current.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came equipped with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as standard. This included features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec Turbo S Premium Plus model also featured cruising and traffic support, combining lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. While crash test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on the CX-9's accolades.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety technology, offering features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision Warning as standard across all trims. Higher trims added Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Limited trim included parking assistance features. The Kona's safety credentials were bolstered by its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.