2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's earlier, boxy designs. It presented a purposeful yet understated appearance, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. The distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch absent in older Volvo models. The XC90 maintained a rectilinear shape but was far from resembling a toaster. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding depth to its appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather steering, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design incorporated wood deco inlays, contributing to a clean and natural aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) focus, evident in its appearance. The grille resembled the Ioniq 5's, and the "seamless horizon" styling with a single skinny LED headlight dominated the front. Despite its increased length, the Kona retained a recognizable silhouette, with new creased "parametric surface" doors and substantial black body cladding. The lineup featured standard LED lights and varying wheel sizes across trims. Inside, the Kona's cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing driver-information and infotainment screens. The interior revisions enhanced the overall modern and spacious feel.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6 powertrain, similar to the T6, combined a supercharger and turbo with mild-hybrid tech, delivering 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. While the mild-hybrid setup didn't allow for electric-only driving, it improved fuel efficiency and smoothness. The XC90 offered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent insulation for a quiet ride. The brakes provided a solid pedal feel, and the vehicle handled well despite its size. The XC90 lacked extensive off-road features, focusing on simplicity in driving dynamics.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, featuring a naturally aspirated 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 and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT, while the turbo engine delivered 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were available on higher trims. During the test drive, the Kona Limited and N-Line demonstrated intuitive steering and nimble handling, though pickup was slightly slow even with the turbo. FWD was standard, with AWD available for an additional fee, affecting fuel economy estimates.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a peaceful and pleasant front-seat experience, though Scandinavian minimalism led to limited storage space. The lack of a dedicated phone space and small center console bin were notable drawbacks. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, with a standard bench seat for seven-passenger seating. Opting for captain's chairs required an upgrade to the B6 engine and an additional cost. Accessing the third row was difficult, and space was limited. Cargo capacity was 12.5 cubic feet with the third row up, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with it down, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, falling short of some competitors. The XC90 drove like a smaller car, reflecting its compact size for a three-row SUV.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from increased length, enhancing rear-seat legroom to 38.2 inches and headroom to 38.3 inches with the sunroof. Cargo capacity improved significantly, offering 25.5 cubic feet with rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded. A power hands-free liftgate was standard on the Limited trim. Interior storage was enhanced with a dash shelf and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The center console tray was small, suitable for limited items. The Kona featured cloth seats on lower trims, with leather/suede and H-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on the Limited trim, with heated front seats available on other trims.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first standard infotainment system of its kind. It integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, with natural-language recognition enhancing user experience. Commands could be issued via Google Home devices. However, many functions were embedded in the touchscreen interface, leading to potential frustration. The minimalist design lacked physical buttons for some features, requiring screen interaction for adjustments. While these issues might diminish with regular use, they could be challenging during a test drive.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims. An OTA update was promised to add wireless connectivity to higher trims. N-Line and Limited trims featured wireless device charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The upgraded stereo system was provided by Bose, with six speakers standard. Dual 12.3-inch screens created a panoramic view on higher trims, and OTA update capability was standard. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were included for the vehicle's life.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS in 2022. It featured advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, supporting Volvo's Pilot Assist technology. These features were standard, enhancing the XC90's reputation as a safe vehicle.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona offered comprehensive safety features, with standard 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 Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with smooth lane-keep assist, though it required user familiarity for optimal use.