2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Buick Enclave

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle aesthetic in mind, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The front grille resembled the Ioniq 5, featuring a single-piece design that highlighted its electric powertrain roots. The Kona showcased a "seamless horizon" LED headlight, giving it a futuristic look. Despite its increased size, the Kona maintained its recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the "parametric surface" on the doors and more pronounced black body cladding on lower trims. The N Line trim stood out with body-coloured wheel arches, and the vehicle came standard with LED lighting and varying wheel sizes across trims.

Inside, the Kona's cabin received significant updates. The centre stack was driver-oriented, and the gear shift moved to the steering column, creating more space. The most noticeable change was the curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens. Other interior elements, such as vents and controls, were refined, enhancing the overall modern feel.

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and upscale design, reminiscent of a larger Envista. Its sharp front end featured slim DRLs and a large, angular grille. The side profile was more generic but still bolder than its predecessor, with fewer creases and a more upright stance. Standard 20-inch wheels on lower trims and 22-inch wheels on the Avenir trim added to its commanding presence.

Inside, the Enclave exuded a modern and premium feel. The floating centre console and large curved display contributed to an airy, futuristic atmosphere. The Sport Touring trim featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's luxurious vibe. A panoramic sunroof was standard on the Avenir and optional on other trims, adding to the Enclave's appeal.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine for the Essential and Preferred trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. Fuel economy varied slightly across trims, with the N Line AWD consuming 9.7 L/100 km in the city.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada ensured robust performance. The Enclave's fuel consumption was rated at 12.3 L/100 km in the city. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. Active Noise Cancellation was standard, enhancing cabin quietness despite the engine's loudness. The Enclave's large size was evident in its driving dynamics, with loose steering at lower speeds.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length significantly improved rear-seat legroom, offering 970 mm, and cargo capacity expanded to 723 litres with seats up and 1,803 litres with them folded. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including a handy shelf on the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. Seating options varied by trim, with ventilated front seats available on the N Line with the Ultimate package.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a seven-person capacity. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with additional features like heated second-row seats and ventilation available on higher trims. The Enclave boasted a generous cargo space of 648 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 2,761 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display standard across all trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available except on the N Line with the Ultimate package. A Bose stereo system was included in the N Line's Ultimate package. The Kona also offered OTA update capability and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services.

The 2025 Buick Enclave showcased a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrating infotainment and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker system on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging and smartphone connectivity were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave provided USB ports in each row for wired charging.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came equipped with advanced safety 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. The N Line's Ultimate package included Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered comprehensive safety features, such as blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. HD Surround Vision was standard, with additional camera views available. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving technology, was an optional feature. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by safety organizations, but the 2024 model received favourable ratings.