2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Hyundai Kona

Volkswagen made some subtle yet noteworthy styling adjustments for the 2023 ID.4. The front bumper featured new gloss black trim, and the rear bumper had a more squared-off design aimed at improving aerodynamics, according to Volkswagen. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now illuminated, adding a touch of modernity.

The ID.4's design clearly set it apart from VW's gasoline models, but it didn't embody the traditional SUV look, missing the upright profile and increased ground clearance typical of the segment. This design choice might have been a drawback given the popularity of these features among new car buyers. However, this was not exclusive to VW; electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EUV also blurred the lines between hatchback and SUV.

The ID.4 leveraged VW’s MEB platform, crafted specifically for EVs, offering modularity to support various models. This platform was envisioned as the EV counterpart to the MQB platform used by a range of VW's gasoline vehicles. The interior of the ID.4 carried forward the minimalist, quality-focused design from VW’s other vehicles. Even the base model, ID.4 Standard, offered decent interior quality with leatherette upholstery featuring recycled fibers, although a manual driver’s seat was a minor setback.

In contrast, Hyundai crafted the new Kona as an EV-first design, visibly influenced by the Ioniq 5. The front grille sported a seamless horizon styling, with a prominent LED headlight stretching across the front. Despite being nearly six inches longer than its predecessor, the 2024 Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette. Visual changes included new creased “parametric surface” doors and substantial, angular body cladding on various trims. LED lighting was standard, and different trims offered varying wheel sizes, ranging from 17 to 19 inches.

Inside, the Kona showcased a driver-oriented center stack with a gear shift on the steering column, freeing up storage space. The interior update prominently featured a curved display for both driver information and infotainment. Hyundai refined the vents, climate controls, and dash, ensuring a modern and user-friendly cabin experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a new 62-kWh battery pack available for the base Standard and S models with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus continued with the larger 82-kWh battery, offering both RWD and AWD options. 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 a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

VW claimed that the smaller battery pack reduced the curb weight by 240 pounds, potentially enhancing acceleration and handling. During a brief drive, the 62-kWh ID.4 Standard demonstrated sprightliness, although a longer test was necessary for a detailed comparison. The AWD version provided impressive acceleration but lacked the handling finesse of hot hatchbacks like the Golf GTI and Golf R, suffering from noticeable body roll on twisty roads. VW’s approach to regenerative braking focused on coasting rather than the more aggressive one-pedal driving, potentially less appealing to some EV enthusiasts.

In comparison, the 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its previous engine lineup, offering a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for SE and SEL trims, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine for N-Line and Limited trims. The base engine achieved 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The turbo engine produced 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, now coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission instead of the former seven-speed DCT. Paddle shifters were available for N-Line and Limited trims, and the SEL Convenience Package.

Test drives of the Kona Limited and N-Line revealed a slightly sluggish pickup even with the turbo engine, but the steering and handling proved intuitive and agile, especially on narrow city streets. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard across the lineup with an optional AWD for an additional $1,500, slightly affecting fuel economy.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 stood out in the SUV category with substantial interior space. It offered more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf, and more headroom compared to the 2023 Kia Niro EV. The ID.4’s cargo space was impressive, boasting 30.3 cubic feet with rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with seats folded, making it more practical than other entry-level EVs. Towing capacity was modest, with RWD models capable of towing 2,200 pounds and AWD models 2,700 pounds.

VW introduced minor interior tweaks for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and a more convenient phone slot between the cupholders and storage bin. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona, benefiting from its increased length, significantly improved rear-seat legroom to 38.2 inches, making it three inches longer than its predecessor and six inches longer than the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross’s back seat. Both the front and rear headroom increased to 38.3 inches with the sunroof. The cargo capacity saw a significant boost, expanding from 19.2 to 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up, and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded, adding nearly 20 cubic feet over the previous model. The Limited trim now included a power hands-free liftgate for easier access.

Interior storage was enhanced with a dash shelf for small items, and a “guardrail” on the wireless charging pad kept phones in place. However, the small and shallow center console tray was a drawback. Seating materials varied by trim, with cloth on SE and SEL, leather/suede on N-Line, and H-Tex leatherette on Limited trims. Notable additions included standard ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel on the Limited trim, with heated front seats standard from the N-Line trim upward.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 featured a now-standard 12.0-inch touchscreen across all models, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. Software updates aimed to enhance responsiveness while maintaining standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster remained unchanged.

Despite software improvements, the user experience of the infotainment system was mixed, retaining sharp graphics and user-friendly features like natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel still posed a distraction due to the lack of physical feedback, though voice recognition mitigated this issue. The ID.4’s ID.Light system, blending ambient lighting with an AI assistant, provided driving cues and visual alerts, though easily overlooked during routine driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona saw significant technological upgrades, including a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen across all trims, a step up from the 2023 Kona’s initially standard 8-inch and optional 10.25-inch screens. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were initially restricted to lower trims, an over-the-air update promised to add these features to higher trims as well. Current N-Line and Limited trims included wired connections, wireless charging, and a new Wi-Fi hotspot. A six-speaker system was standard, with an upgraded Bose system on higher trims.

Dual 12.3-inch screens in a curved housing were optional with the SEL Convenience Package and standard on N-Line and Limited trims, creating a panoramic view for drivers. OTA update capability became standard across the lineup, and Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services now offered a lifetime subscription on all 2024 Konas.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with top scores in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. While Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings for 2023 hadn’t been published, the 2022 model earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating, indicating high safety standards.

Standard safety features on the ID.4 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0 with adaptive cruise control and lane centering. Additionally, Emergency Assist 3.0 and Park Assist Plus (fully automated parking), an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system were new for 2023.

Hyundai enhanced the Kona's safety features for 2024, building on its reputation for incorporating high-quality safety tech across its lineup. Advanced driver-assistance features like Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard. The Kona saw additional improvements, including standard high-beam assist and adaptive cruise control (standard on N-Line and Limited trims), along with Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor on the Limited trim.

Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist suite demonstrated impressive functionality during our test drive, smoothly maneuvering curves without over-correction and accurately interpreting driver intentions. While there were minor quirks in cancellation on backroads, the overall performance of the driver-assistance features was commendable.