2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Lexus GX

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its distinctive appearance from the previous year, maintaining a fresh and futuristic look that set it apart in the crossover class. Its design featured a largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars, giving even the gas-powered models a modern aesthetic. The Kona's design, with its curves, bulges, and sharp angles, created a visually satisfying vehicle, despite not being classically handsome. The newer model was notably larger, offering more interior space and a more assertive road presence, especially in the sportier N Line S and N Line trims, which featured body-colored bumpers and cladding.

The interior of the 2025 Kona remained unchanged from 2024, providing a solidly constructed and airy cabin. The drive selector's placement on a column beneath the wiper stalk contributed to the spacious feel. The 2025 model introduced 64-color ambient interior lighting as standard on the N Line, N Line S, and Limited trims. The Kona offered a range of trims, each adding visual enhancements like larger alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. The Limited trim provided additional features such as a sunroof and powered liftgate, catering to those seeking more luxury.

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a complete redesign, presenting a striking new look compared to its predecessor. The GX's shape evoked a sense of old-school Land Rover charm, with a boxy design and a brawny front accented by LED headlights and a well-proportioned grille. The GX 550 Overtrail+ model featured 33-inch tires on matte grey 18-inch wheels, a raised ride height, and rock rails, enhancing its rugged appeal. The interior exuded luxury, with clean and elegant design elements, quality switchgear, and chic dashboard and door trim. The seats offered ample headroom and were upholstered in stitched black and tan faux leather, providing heating, ventilation, and massaging functions.

The GX's interior was spacious, accommodating tall drivers comfortably. The head-up display was adjustable for optimal visibility, and the overall visibility was excellent, thanks to the tall windows and elevated ride height. The GX's design and features made it a standout in the midsize luxury SUV segment, offering a blend of style, comfort, and off-road capability.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and gas-powered options. The gas-powered models came with two engine choices. 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 Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This setup prioritized fuel efficiency but lacked in performance excitement. The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims boasted a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup, offering additional traction and a more sophisticated suspension setup for improved ride and handling.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered to all four wheels through a full-time four-wheel drive system with a limited-slip center differential and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was robust, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, a second faster than its V8-powered predecessor. The GX excelled in highway merges and offered a quick-off-the-line demeanor for seamless urban driving. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. The GX's chassis, featuring adaptive dampers and a double-wishbone suspension, provided a comfortable ride, although the rear axle exhibited some typical truck jiggliness. Off-road, the GX demonstrated impressive capability, easily tackling challenging terrain with its advanced off-road features.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a surprisingly spacious interior for its size. With 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet when folded, the Kona's trunk was more accommodating than expected. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, providing adequate space for passengers, while the front seats offered a generous range of movement and adjustable steering wheel. The Kona's interior featured various storage compartments, enhancing practicality. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth, Alcantara sport seats, and H-Tex leatherette available. Heating and ventilation features were offered on higher trims, along with dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2025 Lexus GX provided a spacious and comfortable interior, accommodating tall passengers with ease. Headroom ranged from 39 to 41 inches, while legroom measured 41 inches in the front and nearly 37 inches in the second row. The GX's cargo space was impressive, with up to 90.5 cubic feet available in the Overtrail trim. The GX's towing capacity of 9,063 pounds added to its versatility. Despite its size, the GX was easy to maneuver and park, making it a practical choice for urban environments.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured 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 a digital key. The SEL Convenience trim and above featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing customization and cohesion. The N Line and Limited trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates.

The 2025 Lexus GX boasted a user-friendly infotainment system with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system, available as an option, provided excellent audio quality. The GX featured multiple USB-C ports for connectivity and charging, with varying numbers depending on the trim. The GX's tech features were intuitive and easy to use, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning as standard across all trims. Higher trims added features like Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Kona's safety equipment contributed to its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Lexus GX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, road sign assist, and more. The GX's safety features operated smoothly and were not intrusive. The Overtrail+ trim included pedestrian detection and additional trail-viewing cameras. The GX had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing but featured 10 airbags for occupant protection.