2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Kia Telluride

During our time in Texas, we experienced the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, which featured refreshed front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride offered new paint colours like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, while the interior introduced fresh colours such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, boasting a unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-colour door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro further enhanced the off-road appeal with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, complemented by updated bumper designs.

Inside, the Telluride's updates were subtle, with the most significant change being the available digital instrumentation panel and the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. These were housed under a curved 24-inch piece of glass, giving the SUV a modern edge. Other interior changes included new colours, minor trim updates, a redesigned steering wheel, and a more functional centre console. The X-Line and X-Pro trims featured their names embossed on the front seatbacks. In Canada, the Telluride was available in EX, SX, SX Limited, X-Line, and X-Pro trims, with prices starting at $50,195 for the EX and reaching $62,795 for the X-Pro, excluding a $1,950 destination charge.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed as an electric vehicle first, evident in its appearance. The grille resembled the Ioniq 5's, with a single-piece look typical of electric powertrains. The Kona featured the "seamless horizon" design seen on the new Sonata, with a single skinny LED headlight dominating the front. Despite its larger size, the Kona retained a recognizable silhouette, with new creased "parametric surface" doors and more substantial black body cladding on the base Essential and mid-grade Preferred trims. The sporty N Line, at the top of the Canadian trim lineup, had body-coloured wheel arches.

The Kona lineup came standard with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The rear featured a seamless horizon with a single taillight spanning the vehicle's width. Standard 17-inch wheels were upgraded to 18-inch for Preferred and 19-inch for N Line. Inside, the Kona's cabin was noticeably updated, with a driver-oriented centre stack and a gear shift moved to a stalk on the steering column, creating more space between the driver and front passenger. The most obvious update was the curved display housing both the driver-information and infotainment screens, with revised vents, controls, and dash.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its previous powertrain, featuring a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the AWD system offering a low-speed Lock setting for even power distribution. The V6 provided ample motivation, with the X-Line averaging 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres during a drive that included heavy traffic, twisty roads, and highway stretches. The X-Pro was less efficient at 11.5 L/100 km, including off-roading with the drivetrain in Lock mode. Official fuel economy ratings were 11.4 L/100 km combined.

Kia raised the suspension by 10 mm for the X-Line and X-Pro, improving ground clearance to 21.3 mm and enhancing off-road performance with modified traction control and a new Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro, equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, increased towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. Off-roading in Texas hill country showcased the Telluride's capabilities, with the AWD Lock mode, all-terrain tires, and Downhill Brake Control system proving effective. On highways, the Telluride offered a smooth ride, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishier in turns.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine for the Essential and Preferred trims and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder for the N Line. The base engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT, while the turbo engine delivered 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were included with the N Line. During a test drive in Maryland, the Kona N Line with the Ultimate package showed slow pickup even with the turbo, but the steering and handling were intuitive and nimble.

Front-wheel drive was standard, with AWD available for Essential and Preferred trims for an additional $2,000 and standard on the N Line. AWD increased fuel economy estimates for the Essential trim from 8.1 L/100 km city, 6.8 highway, and 7.5 combined to 8.8/8.1/8.5. The N Line AWD consumed 9.7 L/100 km city, 8.3 highway, and 9.1 combined.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row configuration. Test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system to keep drivers alert on long trips. The second row was also comfortable, with manual side-window sunshades, adjustable armrests, USB ports, and storage pockets. A button on the second-row captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third-row seating area, which was more comfortable than many competitors.

Storage space was plentiful, with a "smart" power tailgate for easy cargo loading. Cargo space was generous, with 601 litres behind the third row, 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and 2,455 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length was evident in the rear seat and cargo area. Rear-seat legroom was 970 mm, 77 mm more than the 2023 Kona and 15 cm more than the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. The new front seats created a more comfortable space for rear passengers. Headroom increased to 974 mm front and 972 mm rear with the sunroof. Cargo capacity expanded from 544 to 723 litres with the rear seats up and 1,803 litres with them folded, over 500 litres more than the first-gen Kona.

Cabin storage was enhanced with a handy shelf on the passenger’s side of the dash and a "guardrail" on the wireless charging pad. The centre console had a small tray suitable for a wallet or charging cable. The Kona offered cloth seats on Essential and Preferred trims, leatherette with the Preferred Trend package, and a leather/suede combination for N Line. Ventilated front seats were available on the N Line with the Ultimate package, a first for the Kona. Heated front seats were standard in Canada, with a heated steering wheel from the Preferred trim.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and Kia Connect services. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. OTA updates kept the system current, and Bluetooth supported pairing two devices simultaneously. Six USB charging ports provided power for all passengers.

Driver Talk and Quiet Mode were standard, allowing drivers to communicate with rear passengers or mute rear speakers. A wireless phone charger was standard in Canada, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard from the SX grade. Digital-key technology transformed smartphones or smartwatches into vehicle keys. A Full Display rear-view mirror showed a video view of the rear, and an optional HUD offered a larger, full-colour 10-inch viewing area.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all trims except the N Line with the Ultimate package, which required wired connections. An OTA update was promised to add wireless connectivity. Six speakers were standard, with a Bose stereo system in the N Line’s Ultimate package. Two USB-C ports were available in the front and two at the back of the centre console.

Essential and Preferred trims had a 4.2-inch driver-information display, while dual 12.3-inch displays were included with N Line. OTA update capability was standard, and Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services were available on all 2024 Konas. A digital key feature allowed app-based vehicle access transfer.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a new junction turning system. Blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist were also standard. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist were included. Highway Drive Assist 1.5 provided semi-autonomous driving assistance, with Advanced Highway Drive Assist adding Lane Change Assist.

The Telluride included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and a Rear Occupant Alert system with ultrasonic sensors. The IIHS rated the 2023 Telluride as a Top Safety Pick+, its highest rating.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, with adaptive cruise control from the Preferred trim. The N Line’s Ultimate package included 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 and intuitive steering inputs.