2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona underwent a significant makeover, enhancing its overall sophistication. The vehicle was 1.6 inches longer than its predecessor, featuring revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty new character lines. The exterior was further complemented by new alloy wheel designs and lower body cladding, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Kona's instrument panel and center console were separated to emphasize a horizontal layout, creating a wider and more spacious look. New ambient lighting and a rear USB port added convenience and sophistication. The introduction of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-color cladding and exclusive interior features, enhancing the vehicle's athletic appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. The ID.4, based on VW's MEB platform, was easily distinguishable as an EV but lacked the traditional SUV profile. Its interior carried over the minimalist design and quality feel from VW's gasoline models, with leatherette upholstery and recycled fiber inserts. The ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with ample cargo capacity. VW also made functional improvements to the interior, such as a conventional lid for the center console and three-zone climate control.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line and Limited trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, produced 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also featured exclusive driving modes and performance enhancements, such as launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. The Kona N Line, with its turbocharged engine and AWD, provided ample power and maneuverability, making it a pleasure to drive in various settings.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery pack options: a new 62-kWh pack for the Standard and S models with RWD, and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models with RWD or AWD. The single-motor RWD models delivered 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models offered 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD models rivaled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but allowed too much body roll for spirited driving. The regenerative braking system provided a familiar driving experience, with coasting in the default setting and a more aggressive "B" setting.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, offered ample front-seat comfort with sufficient headroom and legroom. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet available with all seats up and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with generous front and rear legroom and headroom. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The ID.4 also had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made functional improvements to the interior, such as a conventional lid for the center console and three-zone climate control.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an 8-inch display on the base SE trim, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the base screen, with wired versions on the larger screen. The Kona also offered a Digital Key, Hyundai Blue Link, and a suite of connected services. The infotainment system was intuitive and easy to use, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, featuring software updates for improved responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system offered sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, though voice recognition mitigated this issue. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it did not achieve Top Safety Pick status due to "Marginal" child-seat anchor ratings.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.