2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued the design evolution that began with its switch to a rear-wheel-drive platform, maintaining its balanced proportions and sleek, less boxy appearance. The refreshed model featured a restyled front end, giving it a wider and more ruggedly handsome look. New LED taillights and a strip of trim connecting them added to its modern aesthetic. Inside, the Explorer saw significant improvements, with upgraded materials, colors, and displays that made it competitive in its segment. Ford streamlined the trim levels to four, including the new base trim called Active, the sporty ST-Line, the luxurious Platinum, and the performance-tuned ST, with prices ranging from $39,755 to $55,505, excluding the destination charge.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from the 2024 model, retained its fresh and distinctive appearance in the crossover class. Its single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars gave it a futuristic look, even in gas-powered models. The Kona's increased size, about six inches longer than its predecessor, improved interior space and road presence. The new N Line S and N Line trims offered sportier design elements, while other trims like SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, and Limited added visual enhancements such as larger alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. The interior remained solidly constructed and airy, with 64-color ambient lighting now standard on higher trims.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engine options. Most trims, except the ST, came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer ST and optionally the Platinum trim featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. All Explorers had a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with an optional four-wheel-drive system. The ST-Line test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Explorer's turbo four provided quick acceleration, and the 10-speed automatic delivered decisive shifts. The ST-Line's performance was enhanced with larger wheels and an optional Street Package. The Explorer ST showcased its performance capabilities with a sport-tuned suspension and twin-turbo V6, while the Explorer Platinum demonstrated fast acceleration and a pleasant engine sound. The Explorer Active handled off-road trails with ease, but it was not designed for serious off-roading.

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 Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims came with a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, but performance could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup for an additional $1,500, offering active on-demand drive to the rear axle and a dedicated Snow mode. AWD models featured a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension for improved ride and handling.

The 2025 Ford Explorer seated six people in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, heated power-adjustable front seats, and the optional Premium Package, which added ambient lighting, power-adjustable steering, and heated second-row seats. The front seats were comfortable, with breathable fabric inserts, while the second-row captain's chairs offered similar comfort. The third row was less comfortable for adults, but suitable for children. Cargo space was competitive, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 85.8 cubic feet.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet when folded. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, with 38.3 inches of headroom, providing adequate space for most passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was adjustable for reach and height. The drive selector was relocated to a stalk on the steering column, creating additional storage space. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims featured cloth upholstery, while N Line S and N Line had Alcantara sport seats, and Limited featured H-Tex leatherette. Heating and ventilation options varied by trim, with dual-zone automatic climate control available on higher trims.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a new 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Ford Digital Experience. This system included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and apps for streaming music or video. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot was available, and web browser apps provided internet access. The system was user-friendly, with Google Maps integration and Google Assistant for voice commands. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems by Bang & Olufsen, with 10 speakers in the ST-Line and 14 speakers with 980 watts of power in the Platinum and ST trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona came with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. SEL Convenience trim and above included wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai's digital key. The SE and SEL trims had a 4.2-inch color multi-information display, while higher trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. N Line and Limited trims offered 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, and built-in navigation was available on select trims.

The 2025 Ford Explorer came equipped with Ford CoPilot 360+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, along with other driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. ST-Line trim and higher featured Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, which added a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise performed well in testing, although it occasionally struggled with tighter curves and heavy traffic. The 2025 Explorer had not been fully rated by the NHTSA, but it earned five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, 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. Limited trim included parking assistance features. All Konas came with six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.