2024 Acura MDX vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Acura MDX presented a striking exterior with its large shield grille, rakish headlights, and modern intake vents, creating a refined presence. Inside, the MDX was high-tech but somewhat cluttered, with a centre console filled with controls that could be overwhelming at first. The vehicle was available in several trims, including the A-Spec and Platinum Elite, with the Type S Ultra offering top-tier features like a 25-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats. The interior boasted ambient lighting, power-adjustable seats, and a panoramic moonroof, although the controls could be cumbersome to operate.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh appearance with a futuristic design, featuring a flush grille and ultra-slim LED light bars. The Kona was notably larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and a more assertive stance. The N Line trim added sporty design elements, while the Essential and Preferred trims provided varying levels of visual enhancements. The interior remained unchanged from the previous year, offering a solid and airy feel with ample tech features. The Kona's design was practical, with a focus on comfort and functionality, making it a versatile choice for drivers.

The 2024 Acura MDX was powered by a standard 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Type S Ultra variant featured a more powerful twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System (SH-AWD), standard in Canada. The MDX Type S Ultra offered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, with adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes enhancing its driving dynamics. The vehicle's towing capacity reached up to 2,268 kilograms, making it a capable luxury SUV.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options for its gas-powered models. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The Kona N Line, however, came with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available for an additional cost on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line, providing enhanced traction and a more sophisticated suspension setup. The Kona's performance was competent, with the turbo engine offering a more engaging driving experience.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the first two rows providing comfort and support, while the third row was more suitable for children. The vehicle provided a maximum of 512 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,367 litres with the rear seats folded, and up to 2,690 litres with all seats down. The MDX featured a hands-free power liftgate and additional storage under the cargo floor. The centre console was spacious, though the centre stack of controls was somewhat cluttered, with a row of buttons for the shifter and a large IDS dial.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its cargo capacity, offering 723 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,803 litres when folded. The Kona's interior was spacious, with 970 millimetres of rear legroom and 972 mm of headroom. The front seats provided a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was adjustable for reach and height. The Kona featured excellent in-car storage, with numerous compartments for personal items. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth, leatherette, and Alcantara sport seats available. The Kona also offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with dual-zone climate control available on higher trims.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was a notable drawback, with a 12.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad that was unintuitive and cumbersome. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The vehicle also featured multiple USB ports, a digital instrument panel, and wireless device charging. The clever placement of charging ports and a leather handrest for the touchpad were highlights, though the overall system was less user-friendly compared to competitors.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. The N Line trim offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, providing a cohesive and customizable interface. The Kona's audio system varied by trim, with an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system available on the N Line with the Ultimate package. Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates, ensuring features remained up to date.

The 2024 Acura MDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The vehicle also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system on higher trims. The MDX earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, though the infotainment system posed a potential distraction.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist. Higher trims offered additional features like Highway Driving Assist and a Blind Spot View Monitor. The Kona included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials.