2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) focus, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. Its grille resembled the Ioniq 5, featuring a single-piece design typical of EVs. The front end was dominated by a skinny LED headlight, part of Hyundai's "seamless horizon" styling. Despite being nearly 6 inches longer than its predecessor, the Kona maintained a familiar silhouette. The doors showcased a new "parametric surface," and the black body cladding was more pronounced. Standard features included LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, the cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing driver-information and infotainment screens.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 offered a more traditional luxury SUV aesthetic, with a subdued and earthy exterior paint palette. It featured various wheel designs up to 21 inches, with a Bright theme contrasting with the blacked-out trend. The interior, though dated, was rich in materials, especially in the Ultimate trim. Options included wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, with an Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim. Volvo allowed for customization in paint, wheels, and upholstery, catering to discerning customers.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup. The SE and SEL trims were powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The N-Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were available on the N-Line and Limited trims. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500. AWD reduced fuel economy estimates slightly.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. It offered 32 miles of electric-only range and averaged 27 mpg in hybrid mode. The SUV featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, and Off-Road, with a ground clearance of up to 9.9 inches. The XC90's performance was lively, but its handling was more luxury-oriented than sporty. The ride quality was firm, and the cabin wasn't as quiet as expected for its price.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length enhanced rear-seat legroom to 38.2 inches and cargo capacity to 25.5 cubic feet with seats up, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet with seats down. The Limited trim included a power hands-free liftgate. Interior storage was improved with a dash shelf and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. Seating options varied by trim, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable heated front seats, leather upholstery, and wood trim. A panoramic glass roof and four-zone climate control were standard. Higher trims added features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90 seated seven, with a comfortable second-row bench and a tight but accommodating third row. Cargo capacity reached 65.5 cubic feet with the third row down and 85.7 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen standard across all trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto promised via an OTA update. N-Line and Limited trims included wireless device charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The upgraded stereo system was provided by Bose, and dual 12.3-inch screens were available on higher trims. Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services were standard.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 included a 9-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM were standard, with premium audio options available. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a digital voice assistant and a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel. A head-up display and surround-view camera were optional.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came with standard advanced safety features, including 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 added a Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist provided smooth lane-keeping assistance.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was known for its safety, with a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2023. However, its ADAS features were not as advanced as some rivals. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering but struggled with certain road conditions. The system required manual intervention during testing, affecting confidence in its reliability.