2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front of the LYRIQ was adorned with vertical light bars and a solid grille that incorporated lighting effects, creating a dramatic presence. The interior was crafted with attention to detail, offering leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that blended seamlessly into the cabin. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh and distinctive appearance, even though it remained visually unchanged from the 2024 model. The Kona's design featured a flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars, giving it a futuristic look. The 2025 model was notably larger, providing more interior space and a more assertive stance on the road. The Kona offered various trims, each with unique design elements, such as body-colored bumpers and cladding on the sportier N Line trims. The interior was solidly constructed, with a focus on comfort and practicality. The Kona's cabin featured a range of tech options, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and ambient interior lighting on higher trims.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors, delivering an impressive 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for continuous all-wheel drive (AWD). The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering a claimed range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and 307 miles with AWD. However, real-world testing showed a max range closer to 260 miles. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Despite its low center of gravity, the LYRIQ struggled with agility, lacking handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring or magnetic dampers.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between two gas-powered engines. 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 a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims boasted a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance. AWD was available across the lineup, offering a more sophisticated ride with a multi-link rear suspension. The Kona prioritized competence over excitement, delivering adequate performance for its class.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Issues included misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The interior, however, provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. Cargo space was limited, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona excelled in practicality, offering 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, providing ample 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 its practicality. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth, Alcantara, and leatherette available. Heating and ventilation options were also trim-dependent, with dual-zone automatic climate control on higher trims.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona came equipped with 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 Hyundai's digital key. The SEL Convenience trim and above featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing customization options. The N Line and Limited trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while all trims included SiriusXM and HD Radio. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, rear emergency braking, and a rear camera displayed on the rearview mirror.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety technology. Standard features included 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. The Limited trim offered parking assistance features. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials.