2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX presented itself as a luxury SUV with a range of trims, including the standard and Type S versions. The Type S, in particular, was designed to offer a subtle yet sporty appearance, featuring chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, the MDX Type S boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package, with the Advance trim adding open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. Despite its appealing design, some aspects, such as the gloss black plastic on the dashboard and the electronic transmission switchgear, were less user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle aesthetic, showcasing a grille reminiscent of the Ioniq 5 and a seamless horizon styling with a single LED headlight. The new Kona maintained its recognizable silhouette but introduced new design elements like the creased parametric surface of the doors and more substantial body cladding. The interior saw significant updates, including a driver-oriented center stack and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens. The Kona's design changes were both functional and stylish, enhancing its appeal as a modern SUV.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience, with issues such as an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. The fuel economy was also disappointing, averaging 16.9 mpg in combined driving, below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE and SEL trims, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for the N-Line and Limited trims. The base engine produced 147 horsepower, while the turbocharged version offered 190 horsepower. The new Kona replaced the previous seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with an eight-speed automatic transmission. During the test drive, the Kona Limited and N-Line demonstrated intuitive steering and nimble handling, although the turbocharged engine's pickup was slightly slow. The Kona offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional fee, slightly reducing fuel economy estimates.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a spacious interior with three rows of seats and a flexible second-row configuration. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, although the seats were firm and didn't provide the expected support during spirited driving. The MDX's cargo area was practical, with 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. However, the interior design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the center console.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from increased dimensions, providing 38.2 inches of rear-seat legroom and 38.3 inches of headroom. The cargo capacity also improved significantly, offering 25.5 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate for easy access to the cargo area. Inside, the Kona offered practical storage solutions, such as a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The seating options varied by trim, with cloth seats on lower trims and a leather/suede combination or H-Tex leatherette on higher trims.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment system relied on a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) instead of a touchscreen, which could be distracting and reduced storage space in the center console. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, along with a premium ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, although the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on lower trims. An over-the-air update was promised to add wireless connectivity to higher trims. The Kona featured a new Wi-Fi hotspot and a Bose audio system, with dual 12.3-inch screens available on higher trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, with a subscription included for the vehicle's life.

The 2023 Acura MDX came equipped with Acura Watch, a suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional safety features available on higher trims. The MDX received good crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it received four stars for frontal-impact protection.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist and adaptive cruise control were standard on higher trims, with the Limited trim adding a Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features, offering smooth lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.