2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its appearance with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The modernized look featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive “shark fin” C-pillar, giving it a more robust presence akin to the Suburban or Silverado. Each trim level offered unique styling elements, with the base Equinox LT available in chrome or a contemporary Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim sported black mirrors, badges, and red RS emblems, while the new ACTIV trim showcased dark chrome accents and all-terrain tires. The interior of the Equinox was also revamped, with a focus on texture and space. The shifter was moved to the steering column, opening up the center console, and the new infotainment screen was integrated with the driver-information display. The RS trim featured a sporty interior with red highlights and contrast stitching, while the ACTIV trim offered a lighter “Maple Sugar and Black” theme.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its fresh appearance from the previous year, with a distinctive design that set it apart in the crossover class. The single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars gave it a futuristic look, even in gas-powered models. The Kona's increased size, being six inches longer, provided more interior space and a more assertive road presence. The N Line S and N Line trims featured sportier designs with body-colored bumpers and cladding. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, offering a solid and airy feel with ample tech features. The 64-color ambient interior lighting became standard on higher trims, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. The Kona's interior was practical, with a focus on comfort and storage, making it a versatile choice for drivers.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox continued with a single engine option: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied with the powertrain, offering 184 lb-ft in front-wheel-drive models and 203 lb-ft in all-wheel-drive versions. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed automatic was an improvement over the previous six-speed, providing smoother and quieter shifts. The Equinox offered a responsive accelerator at low speeds, though highway merging highlighted the engine's limitations. The AWD models could tow up to 1,500 pounds, and selectable drive modes were introduced, including Normal, Snow, and Off-Road modes for AWD models.

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 Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims boasted a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, though it could feel flat at low revs. AWD was available across the lineup, offering active on-demand drive to the rear axle and a dedicated Snow mode. AWD models also featured a multi-link rear suspension for improved ride and handling.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard on the RS and ACTIV trims. A $950 package added front seat ventilation, heated rear seats, and driver’s seat memory. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with 38.2 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the rear with the moonroof. The cargo space was slightly reduced, offering 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded. A hidden storage compartment was available beneath the load floor.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona provided 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet when folded. The dual-level cargo floor added versatility. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, with 38.3 inches of headroom, ensuring comfort 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 excellent storage options, with numerous shelves and cubbies. Upholstery varied by trim, with cloth on lower trims and Alcantara or H-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Heating and ventilation options were available, with dual-zone automatic climate control on most trims.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing for simultaneous infotainment activities. The 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen was 30% larger than the previous model, and wireless charging was standard on RS and ACTIV trims. The Equinox also featured a six-speaker audio system and wi-fi hotspot capability.

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

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package for $1,085, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. The Chevy Safety Assist suite included standard features like rear park assist, lane-change alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to set speed and volume limitations and provided a report card of driving behavior.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping 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 features. All Konas included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.