2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Nissan Rogue underwent its first major styling update since the 2021 model year, offering a refreshed look across its Canadian trim levels: S, SV Moonroof, SV Premium, SL, and Platinum. The new design featured a larger grille that seamlessly integrated with the stack headlights and daytime running lights, which were signature elements of the Rogue. The rear fascia saw minor changes with redesigned inner taillight elements. The Rogue SV received a new 18-inch wheel design, while the Platinum model boasted a 19-inch machined-finish look and additional black exterior trim, including an optional black roof. Inside, the dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, enhancing the premium feel of the cabin. The Rogue SV models benefited from new materials throughout the interior, and the Platinum trim offered leather seats with quilted stitching and a new Chestnut brown colour option.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from the 2024 model, maintained a distinctive appearance in the crossover class. Its flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars gave it a futuristic look, even in gas-powered models. The Kona's design featured a mix of curves, bulges, and sharp angles that created a satisfactory aesthetic. The newer model was approximately 15 centimetres longer, providing more interior space and a more assertive stance. The Kona N Line trim offered 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 interior was praised for its comfort and storage options, with various trims offering different upholstery materials and climate control features.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a unique powertrain with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, part of Nissan's VC-Turbo lineup. This engine could vary its compression ratio to balance power and fuel economy, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. It outperformed the standard engines in competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, and even the Toyota RAV4's engine in terms of torque. However, the Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less impressive, as it was slow to transfer power to the wheels. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, affecting ride quality without improving handling. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue was quiet, and its engine performance was commendable, though the exhaust note was less appealing.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered two gas-powered engine options. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The Kona N Line trim came with a more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available for an additional cost on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line, offering a more sophisticated ride with a multi-link rear suspension. The Kona's ride and handling were competent, prioritizing comfort over sporty driving dynamics.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with slight variations in legroom compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. The Rogue's cargo space was 1,033 litres with the rear seats in place (1,028 litres with the moonroof) and 2,098 litres with the seats folded (2,064 litres with the moonroof), providing more space than a Subaru Forester but less than a CR-V or Tucson. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and the Rogue featured a power liftgate on SV models and a motion-activated liftgate on SL and Platinum trims. The centre console offered additional storage, though accessing the lower tray was somewhat awkward.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona provided 723 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. This was surprisingly spacious for its class, surpassing some larger vehicles. Rear legroom was adequate at 970 millimetres, with 972 mm of headroom, ensuring comfort 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 compartments for personal items. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth, leatherette, and Alcantara sport seats available. Heated front seats were standard in Canada, with additional climate control features on higher trims.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims, while SL and Platinum models featured a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Rogue was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play app store directly into the infotainment system. This feature was free for five years, after which a data plan was required. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup improved the infotainment experience, though the system was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue also offered multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. Nissan Connect Services extended its free trial period to three years, providing remote access features via a smartphone app.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. The Preferred trim with the Trend package and the N Line trim included wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai's digital key. The N Line trim boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, offering more customization options. Audiophiles could upgrade to the N Line with the Ultimate package for an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates, ensuring features remained up to date.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received favourable safety ratings, earning top "Good" scores in several IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and more. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's advanced driver assistance system, was available on higher trims, offering automated lane centring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety features, even on base models. Standard equipment included Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and more. Higher trims added advanced features like Highway Driving Assist and Blind Spot View Monitor. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials.