Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Hyundai Kona

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was available starting at $41,995, including the destination charge, for the base LE trim with front-wheel drive. Buyers could upgrade to higher trims like XLE, Bronze Edition, Limited, and Platinum, with all-wheel drive as an optional feature. The test vehicle arrived in the top Platinum trim with AWD, priced at $54,718. Changes for 2023 were minimal, with a new Cypress Green paint color and standard power-folding exterior mirrors for Limited and Platinum trims. The Highlander Hybrid's design was considered over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior, despite being quiet on the road, was criticized for its mismatched textures, lack of quality feel, and visually overwhelming dashboard.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle aesthetic, featuring a grille similar to the Ioniq 5 and a "seamless horizon" styling with a single LED headlight. Despite being nearly 6 inches longer than its predecessor, the Kona retained a recognizable silhouette with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and substantial black body cladding. The Kona lineup came standard with LED lighting and offered 17-inch wheels, with larger options for higher trims. Inside, the Kona's cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens. The interior updates aimed to create a more refined and spacious environment.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing a total of 243 horsepower. The AWD version included a third electric motor for the rear wheels. Despite its powertrain, the Highlander Hybrid struggled with high-speed passing and towing, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The SUV offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an additional Trail mode for AWD models. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized fuel economy, featuring a Predictive Efficient Drive system, though it fell short of its EPA rating, achieving only 28.7 mpg on the evaluation loop. The driving experience was described as uninspiring, with soft suspension and a CVT that lacked engagement.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder for SE and SEL trims and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder for N-Line and Limited trims. The base engine produced 147 horsepower, while the turbo offered 190 horsepower. The Kona switched to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on higher trims. During the test drive, the Kona Limited and N-Line demonstrated intuitive steering and nimble handling, though acceleration was modest even with the turbo. The Kona offered FWD as standard, with AWD available for an additional cost, impacting fuel economy slightly.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was designed to accommodate seven or eight passengers, though the third-row seat was best suited for occasional use. The interior featured three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The front seats offered power adjustment, but the driver's seat lacked sufficient thigh support. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and flexibility, while the third row was cramped and uncomfortable for adults. The Highlander offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. Storage solutions were criticized for their complexity and lack of lining.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from increased rear-seat legroom and headroom, with 38.2 inches of legroom and 38.3 inches of headroom. Cargo capacity improved significantly, offering 25.5 cubic feet 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. Interior storage included a handy shelf on the dashboard and a wireless charging pad with a guardrail. The Kona offered cloth seats on lower trims and a leather/suede combination for higher trims, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display on upper trims, though the controls were not intuitive. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. Connected services included Wi-Fi Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, offering features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle also had a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though the graphics on the infotainment screen lacked contrast.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto promised via an OTA update for higher trims. The Kona featured wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens were available with the Convenience Package and higher trims, providing a panoramic view. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, with a subscription included for the vehicle's life.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Hybrids included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional parking sensors and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The ADAS performed well in most situations, though it struggled with certain road conditions. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured standard safety technologies like Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, with adaptive cruise control on higher trims. The Limited trim included a Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite provided smooth lane-keep assist, though it required some user adjustment on backroads.