2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle aesthetic in mind, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The front grille closely resembled that of the Ioniq 5, featuring a single-piece design that has become synonymous with electric powertrains. The Kona's front end was dominated by a single skinny LED headlight, part of the "seamless horizon" treatment also seen on the new Sonata. Despite its increased size, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and more substantial black body cladding on the Essential and Preferred trims. The N Line trim, however, featured body-coloured wheel arches. Standard LED lighting and a seamless rear taillight added to its modern look, while the interior boasted a driver-oriented centre stack, a relocated gear shift, and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV that, despite its price, had an unremarkable appearance. It featured an exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers, but its design was largely dependent on the version and colour/wheel combination chosen. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power and efficiency levels. All models came with standard all-wheel drive in Canada and a range of package options. The RX's interior was contemporary, with quality materials and ambient lighting, though the ergonomics of the controls varied. The RX avoided the single curved display trend, opting instead for a more traditional layout, which some appreciated for its distinctiveness.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, featuring a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine for the Essential and Preferred trims, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder for the N Line trims. The base engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the turbo engine delivered 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional fee on the Essential and Preferred trims, and standard on the N Line. Fuel economy varied depending on the drivetrain and trim, with the N Line AWD consuming 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 8.3 on the highway, and 9.1 combined.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance. The RX 350h was the least powerful but most efficient, with 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque from a hybrid powertrain. The RX 450h+ PHEV provided 304 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds, while the RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, producing 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h also included a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Despite its power, the RX 500h's fuel efficiency was lower than expected, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic capability and communication between the driver and the road.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length significantly improved rear-seat legroom, offering 970 millimetres, and cargo capacity, which expanded to 723 litres with the rear seats up and 1,803 litres with them folded down. The interior 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 seats on Essential and Preferred, leatherette with the Preferred Trend package, and a leather/suede combination for N Line. Ventilated front seats were available on the N Line with the Ultimate package, a first for the Kona.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were snug due to enhanced bolstering, and the automatic climate system's fan was notably loud. A panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, which featured optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated seats. The RX provided ample room for adults in the back seat. Interior storage was practical, though the rear centre armrest storage compartment lacked a lining. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage space under the load floor. Folding down the second row created 1,308 litres of cargo volume, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced several technological upgrades, including a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display across the lineup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available on all trims except the N Line with the Ultimate package, which required wired connections due to compatibility issues with Hyundai's on-board navigation system. The Kona featured a Bose stereo system with the N Line's Ultimate package, dual USB-C ports, and a digital key feature. Dual 12.3-inch displays were included with the N Line, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury vehicle expectations with high-tech features. The RX 500h F Sport Black Line included digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a cloud-based navigation system. The RX offered generous subscriptions to connected services, including a three-year Drive Connect plan with an Intelligent Assistant. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and difficult to use while driving. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came equipped with advanced driver-assistance features, including standard 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 impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Safety Connect, a free service for up to ten years, providing automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency assistance button, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX also had a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but received a Poor rating from the IIHS for occupant protection in a moderate overlap frontal-impact test.