2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Hyundai's 2024 Kona was crafted with an electric vehicle mindset, evident in its design that mirrors the Ioniq 5 more than its predecessor. The front end featured a single-piece grille and a sleek LED headlight, reminiscent of the new Sonata's "seamless horizon" design. Despite its increased length, the Kona maintained its recognizable silhouette, with new creased door surfaces and more pronounced black body cladding on the Essential and Preferred trims. The N Line trim stood out with body-coloured wheel arches. Standard LED lighting and varying wheel sizes across trims added to its modern appeal. Inside, the Kona's cabin was revamped with a driver-focused centre stack, a relocated gear shift, and a prominent curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, retained a unique identity among Mercedes SUVs. It combined the visual heft of the GLS, GLC, and GLB with a rounded profile reminiscent of its M-Class predecessor. The GLE's design featured squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille, contrasted by sharply tapering side glass and a rakish windshield. While the standard GLE SUV had odd proportions, the GLE Coupe models exaggerated these further with a fastback-style roofline. Inside, the GLE offered a luxurious feel with unique interior colours, upscale features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-colour ambient lighting, creating a special atmosphere.

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, paired with a CVT. The N Line trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, now coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The N Line also included paddle shifters. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000 on Essential and Preferred trims, and standard on the N Line. Fuel economy varied, with the N Line AWD consuming 9.7 L/100 km city, 8.3 highway, and 9.1 combined.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered five powertrain options, starting with the GLE 350's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450 4Matic featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, generating 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, plus 80 km of electric range. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ delivered 429 hp and 413 lb-ft, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, while the AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ boasted a 603 hp twin-turbo V8, reaching 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Despite its power, the GLE felt larger than it was, with features like adaptive air suspension and an active anti-roll system unable to make it nimble on backroads.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length significantly enhanced rear-seat legroom to 970 mm, 77 mm more than the 2023 model, and 15 cm more than the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. Headroom also improved, with 974 mm front and 972 mm rear with the sunroof. Cargo capacity expanded from 544 to 723 litres with rear seats up, and 1,803 litres with them folded. Inside, a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash provided convenient storage, while the centre console offered limited space. The Kona featured cloth seats on Essential and Preferred trims, 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 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE provided a high seating position, but outward visibility was limited. Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitors, with additional legroom compared to the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. Cargo space behind the second-row seats was 894 litres, competitive but less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, the GLE offered 1,790 litres of cargo space. The centre console provided reasonable storage for small items, and the GLE's maximum towing capacity was 3,500 kg.

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 integrated 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. An OTA update was promised to add wireless connectivity. The Kona featured six speakers, with an upgraded Bose stereo system in the N Line's Ultimate package. Dual 12.3-inch displays created a panoramic view in the N Line, and OTA update capability was standard. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services and a digital key feature were also included.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, creating the impression of one continuous horizontal screen. The MBUX system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and voice recognition, were available. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car offered additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. Some GLE models featured an off-road display and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came equipped with standard advanced driver-assistance features, including Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, and adaptive cruise control was included from the Preferred trim. The N Line's Ultimate package added Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with smooth lane-keep assist, though it was slightly resistant to cancellation on backroads.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were optional. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings.