2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX made a bold statement with its massive spindle grille and 206 millimetres of ground clearance, giving it a commanding presence on the road. Its front end, with large headlights, was designed to dominate the road ahead. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, offered exclusive paint colours, including the new Eminent White Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blocky designs, making it easier to handle in technical driving situations. However, the interior was marred by an abundance of plastic materials, which detracted from its luxury appeal, though it did feature heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed as an electric vehicle first, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The grille resembled that of the Ioniq 5, and the single-piece LED headlight created a seamless horizon effect. Despite its larger size, the Kona retained a recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" of the doors and substantial black body cladding. The interior was updated with a driver-oriented centre stack and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens. The gear shift moved to a stalk on the steering column, freeing up space for storage, and the cabin featured refined vents, controls, and dash.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to more modern engines, the GX's V8 offered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. Its towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms was respectable, but its fuel economy was less impressive, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city. The GX's weight contributed to its predictable roll through corners, and its driving dynamics were improved with a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and a 4WD system.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 190 horsepower. The turbo engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and paddle shifters were available on the N Line. The Kona's handling was nimble, and its steering was intuitive, making it well-suited for city driving. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional fee. Fuel economy varied depending on the trim and drivetrain, with the N Line AWD consuming 9.7 L/100 km in the city.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep centre console bin and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, and the door pockets were small. The GX featured hard buttons for controls, which some users preferred over touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs and fold-out cupholders, but the third row was too tight for regular use. Cargo space was limited, with only 328 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,832 litres with both rows folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from its increased length, providing 970 millimetres of rear-seat legroom and improved headroom. Cargo capacity increased significantly to 723 litres with the rear seats up and 1,803 litres with them folded. The cabin featured a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The Kona offered various seating options, including cloth, leatherette, and a leather/suede combination, with ventilated front seats available on the N Line with the Ultimate package.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard integrations like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. However, the system felt dated compared to other Lexus models, with lagging graphics. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, and more. It also included the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for improved on-road and off-road driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on most trims. The N Line's Ultimate package required wired connections due to compatibility issues with the onboard navigation system. The Kona featured a Bose stereo system, dual 12.3-inch displays, and OTA update capability. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services and a digital key feature were standard on all 2024 Konas.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came equipped with standard safety features like Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. Adaptive cruise control was standard from the Preferred trim, and the N Line's Ultimate package included advanced features like Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist.