2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, available exclusively in Reserve trim in Canada, showcased a sophisticated and streamlined exterior design, hinting at a new direction for Lincoln. Its grille, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz's bifurcated design, featured LED lighting that extended through the grille, illuminating the Lincoln star logo. The rear mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was a standout, with a full-width screen as its crown jewel, complemented by high-quality materials like open-pore wood and fine leather. The Jet Appearance Package offered additional customization with two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and 22-inch wheels.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh appearance from the previous year, with a flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars giving it a futuristic look. The Kona's increased size, being 15 centimetres longer, provided more interior space and a more assertive stance. The N Line trim added a sportier design with body-coloured bumpers and cladding. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, offering a solid and airy feel with ample tech features. The Kona's trims, Essential and Preferred, offered progressive visual enhancements, while the N Line provided a sportier experience with larger alloy wheels and a more powerful engine.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid option, available for an additional $3,500, offered 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a fuel efficiency of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The hybrid's range exceeded 950 kilometres, making it a practical choice for long drives. The Nautilus featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the adaptive suspension enhancing the driving experience. The hybrid's CVT was well-tuned, avoiding the typical droning associated with such transmissions.

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 engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission. The Kona N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivered 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available for an additional $2,000 on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line. The Kona's AWD models featured a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, enhancing ride and handling.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats, with the 24-way Perfect Position seats providing exceptional comfort. The rear seats, while not as luxurious, offered 1,095 millimetres of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create a relaxing atmosphere. The Nautilus provided 997 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 1,947 litres with the seats folded down, surpassing competitors like the Lexus RX.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 723 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. Rear legroom measured 970 millimetres, providing adequate space for most passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was adjustable for reach and height. The Kona's interior featured excellent storage options, with various shelves and compartments. The Essential and Preferred trims had cloth upholstery, while the Trend package added leatherette, and the N Line featured Alcantara sport seats. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated seats available on the N Line with the Ultimate package.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a stunning 48-inch curved display, with a customizable digital dash and an 11.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Maps and Alexa Built-in. The steering wheel controls, however, were unlabelled and could be distracting. The Nautilus offered wireless charging and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona came with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The N Line trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, providing a cohesive look. The N Line with the Ultimate package offered an eight-speaker Bose audio system and built-in navigation. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air updates, ensuring features remained current.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, such as lane-keeping assist, park assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, with features like automatic lane-change assist. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been rated.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision Warning. The N Line with the Ultimate package added advanced features like Highway Driving Assist and a Blind Spot View Monitor. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials.