2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

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, with its curves, bulges, and sharp angles, created a visually satisfying vehicle, despite not being classically handsome. 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, providing a solidly constructed and airy environment with tech features like a 64-color ambient lighting standard on higher trims.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas was available in five trim levels, each offering distinct styling and features. The Atlas Peak Edition had an off-road appearance, while the SEL Premium R-Line boasted a sporty look with the most standard equipment. The Atlas Cross Sport variant provided a more rakish design but shared similarities with the three-row Atlas. The SEL Premium R-Line, tested in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, showcased polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and sizable 21-inch wheels, giving it a chiseled and upscale appearance. Inside, the Atlas featured diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood, creating a warm and inviting environment. However, the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and stereo volume were less satisfying to use, especially without gloves, and the lack of traditional knobs was a drawback.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and two gas-powered options. 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). This setup prioritized fuel efficiency but lacked in performance. The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims came with a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available across the lineup for an additional $1,500, offering a more sophisticated ride with a multi-link rear suspension.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous options. With 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, this engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered either front-wheel drive (FWD) or 4Motion AWD. Despite initial skepticism, the engine proved refined and capable, especially when utilizing the generous torque curve between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm. Sport mode added a pleasing engine note but impacted fuel economy. During testing, the Atlas returned 15.5 mpg in urban conditions and 19.2 mpg overall, slightly below EPA ratings. The ride quality was a concern, with the suspension feeling brittle over smaller road imperfections and excessive body motions at highway speeds. However, the Atlas handled predictably on mountain roads, with the brakes resisting fade and the steering responsive in Sport mode.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, with 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, 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 interior featured numerous storage compartments, enhancing practicality. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth on lower trims and Alcantara or H-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Heating and ventilation features progressed from basic air conditioning on the SE to dual-zone automatic climate control on higher trims.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, offering a comfortable and spacious interior. The SEL Premium R-Line model featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, although the leather felt slightly stiff. Visibility was excellent, aided by large side mirrors and a surround-view camera system. The second-row bench seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample legroom and a climate-control panel. Access to the third-row seat was outstanding, with generous clearance and adequate leg support. The cargo area was cavernous, offering 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Storage space was commendable throughout the cabin, with practical compartments and cupholders.

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

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas utilized the VW Group's MIB3 operating system, accessible through a 12-inch touchscreen display. While the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it lacked traditional stereo and climate controls, relying on touch-sensitive buttons and a touch-and-slide volume control. The absence of a reliable native digital voice assistant was a drawback, with the system struggling with voice commands. However, pairing a smartphone provided a more satisfying experience, with the Harman Kardon audio system delivering excellent sound quality. The MIB3 system had user-experience glitches, such as incorrect song titles on SiriusXM and confusing navigation displays.

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

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured standard driver-assistance features under the IQ.Drive umbrella, including Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a rear cross-traffic alert system were also standard. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick. The IQ.Drive systems were accurate and refined, with occasional false warnings but generally trustworthy performance.