2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its distinctive appearance from the previous year, maintaining a fresh and futuristic look that set it apart in the crossover class. Its design featured a largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars, giving even the gas-powered models a modern aesthetic. The Kona's design, while not traditionally handsome, was a satisfactory blend of curves, bulges, and sharp angles. The 2025 model was notably larger, about six inches longer than its predecessor, enhancing both interior space and road presence. The new N Line S trim, along with the N Line, offered a sportier design with body-colored bumpers and cladding, 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 unchanged from 2024, featuring solid construction and ample tech, with 64-color ambient lighting now standard on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, encountered during a rental experience in Hawaii, presented a rugged and utilitarian design. The black-on-black color scheme was less than ideal for the tropical climate, but the Wrangler's appeal lay in its capability and iconic design. The Wrangler was available in various trims, including Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, Rubicon X, and Rubicon 392, with the latter boasting a powerful 470-horsepower V8 engine. The Sport S model, priced at nearly $50,000, featured a few options like a black hardtop and turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Despite its high price, the interior was functional, with a focus on durability and practicality. The Wrangler's design evoked themes of American freedom, rooted in its military vehicle heritage, and offered the ability to traverse diverse terrains with ease.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and two gas-powered options. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims were equipped with 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). This setup prioritized fuel efficiency but lacked in performance excitement. For those seeking more power, the N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 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, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup for an additional cost, offering improved handling and a dedicated Snow mode.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission, or an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, offering better fuel efficiency and livelier performance at higher elevations. During a test drive in Hawaii, the four-cylinder Wrangler achieved an average fuel economy of 19.2 mpg. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and off-road capabilities made it well-suited for diverse terrains. However, its ride was rough, with slow steering and handling traits that were less noticeable at lower speeds. The Wrangler's rollover resistance rating was a concern, emphasizing the need for caution when driving laterally across slopes.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered impressive cargo capacity, with 25.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet when folded. This made it surprisingly spacious for a subcompact crossover. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, providing adequate comfort for most passengers. The front seats were adjustable, and the interior featured ample storage options. Upholstery varied by trim, with cloth on lower trims and Alcantara or leatherette on higher trims. Heating and ventilation options were available, with dual-zone climate control on most trims.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler posed challenges for entry and exit due to its high ground clearance and narrow door openings. The front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated features. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks on the front seatbacks. Storage space was limited, with small bins and nets for stashing items. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened separately. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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. Audiophiles could opt for the Bose premium audio system on N Line and Limited trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air updates, ensuring features remained current.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was a highlight, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport S trim included an eight-speaker stereo, with an optional Alpine premium sound system. Jeep Connect offered navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and off-road navigation capabilities. The touchscreen remained clear and usable even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group package added a digital display, passive entry, and remote engine start, while the Active Safety Group package included rear parking sensors.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning as standard across all trims. Higher trims added features like Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Kona included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler introduced side curtain airbags as standard for front and rear seats. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was limited to the Sahara trim. The Wrangler's safety ratings were mixed, with a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it Good for side-impact protection but Marginal for small overlap frontal-impact tests.