2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle aesthetic in mind, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The front grille closely resembled that of the Ioniq 5, featuring a single-piece design that has become synonymous with electric powertrains. The Kona adopted the "seamless horizon" styling seen in the new Sonata, with a prominent skinny LED headlight at the front. Despite its increased size, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette, with new creased "parametric surface" doors and more substantial black body cladding on various trims. The rear showcased a single taillight spanning the vehicle's width, and wheel sizes varied across trims, with 17-inch wheels standard and up to 19-inch for higher trims. Inside, the cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, was priced at $75,000 and featured a unique Incognito paint job with orange brake calipers. Despite these distinctive touches, the RX's design was considered unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic rear haunch swell. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power and efficiency levels. The RX 500h stood out with its turbocharged engine and sport-tuned features, but the overall design was dependent on the chosen version and color/wheel combination. Inside, the RX offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, though some ergonomic controls were less intuitive.

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, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The N-Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The previous seven-speed dual-clutch transmission was replaced with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and paddle shifters were available on select trims. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional fee, affecting fuel economy estimates. During a test drive, the Kona's turbo engine provided adequate pickup, with intuitive steering and nimble handling.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance. The RX 350h was the least powerful but most efficient, with a 246 hp hybrid powertrain. The RX 450h+ PHEV provided 304 hp and a 6.2-second zero-to-60 time, while the RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, producing 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The RX 500h's sport-tuned suspension and advanced all-wheel-drive system enhanced its performance, but it was less fuel-efficient, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic capability and communication between the driver and the road.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length translated to improved rear-seat legroom, measuring 38.2 inches, and enhanced cargo capacity, with 25.5 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats up. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The Kona offered various seating materials across trims, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and cargo space, with the RX 500h F Sport Performance offering snug front seats with enhanced bolstering. The rear seats were comfortable, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX provided ample room for adults, and the cargo area offered 29.6 cubic feet of space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. However, the cargo cover could be cumbersome when loading larger items.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display 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 included wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens were optional, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a high-tech experience, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display. The RX featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a cloud-based navigation system. The RX 500h model included a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, though some features like digital key functionality and a hands-free power liftgate were optional. The steering wheel controls were criticized for being distracting and difficult to use.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came equipped with advanced driver-assistance 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, and the Limited trim included a Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features, with smooth lane-keep assist.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 provided advanced driver assistance systems, such as forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX also featured Predictive Driving Assist and a surround-view camera. In crash tests, the RX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it poorly for occupant protection in a frontal-impact test.