2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Hyundai Kona

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling updates, including a gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design aimed at improving aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours were introduced, and the rear VW logo was illuminated. Despite these changes, the ID.4 maintained a distinct EV appearance, though it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which could be less appealing to buyers seeking a more conventional SUV look. The ID.4 was built on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, and shared interior qualities with VW’s gasoline models, offering a minimalist design and quality feel. The base model included leatherette upholstery with recycled fibres, maintaining a high standard even in the entry-level version.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed as an EV first, evident in its appearance. The grille resembled the Ioniq 5’s, and the front featured a single-piece LED headlight. The Kona’s larger size, with an additional 15 centimetres in length, retained a recognizable silhouette but introduced new design elements like the creased “parametric surface” on the doors. The Kona lineup came standard with LED lighting and offered different wheel sizes across trims. Inside, the Kona’s cabin was updated with a driver-oriented centre stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing driver-information and infotainment screens. The interior offered various seating materials and configurations, with ventilated front seats available on the N Line with the Ultimate package.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model with RWD, while the Pro model retained the 82-kWh pack, available in both RWD and AWD. The single electric motor RWD models delivered 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, while the dual-motor AWD version increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, enhancing acceleration and handling. Despite its comfortable and refined ride, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll for spirited driving. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience rather than one-pedal driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor’s engine lineup, with a 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 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD available for an additional cost. The Kona’s fuel economy varied by trim and drivetrain, with the N Line AWD consuming 9.7 L/100 km in the city. The Kona’s steering and handling were intuitive and nimble, though pickup was slightly slow even with the turbo engine.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with superior front and rear legroom compared to the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. Cargo space was generous, with 858 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 also provided some towing capability, with RWD models towing up to 1,000 kilograms and AWD models up to 1,225 kg. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona’s increased length translated to more rear-seat legroom, measuring 970 millimetres, and improved headroom. Cargo capacity expanded 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. Seating options varied by trim, with cloth, leatherette, and leather/suede combinations available. Ventilated front seats were introduced for the N Line with the Ultimate package, and heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The user interface included sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, though the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less intuitive. The ID.Light feature provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, though it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on all trims except the N Line with the Ultimate package. The upgraded stereo system was provided by Bose, and the Kona included multiple USB-C ports for connectivity. The N Line offered dual 12.3-inch displays, and OTA update capability was standard across the lineup. Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services and a digital key feature were also included for 2024.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS’s highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The ID.4 included a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was equipped with standard advanced driver-assistance features, including Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist and adaptive cruise control were standard from the Preferred trim, and 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 a user-friendly interface for managing driver-assistance features.