2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with subtle updates to the Wilderness trim, featuring a refreshed front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark grey cladding provided a striking contrast to the Autumn Green Metallic paint of the Premier XT model, which was described as a "green-tinged dark khaki." This colour choice was surprisingly appealing, offering a unique alternative to more traditional shades. The Outback's various trims showcased different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Premier XT trim featuring the most chrome, which was tastefully executed. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim sporting matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Onyx trim upgraded to 18-inch wheels in basic black. Inside, the Premier XT impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a level of luxury unexpected from Subaru, a brand known for its capability rather than opulence.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from its 2024 predecessor, continued to stand out in the crossover class with its futuristic design elements. The single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars gave even the gas-powered models a modern look. The Kona's design, with its curves, bulges, and sharp angles, created a satisfactory visual appeal. The newer model was noticeably larger, offering more interior space and a more assertive stance, especially in the sportier N Line trim with body-coloured bumpers and cladding. The Essential and Preferred trims added visual flair with progressively larger alloy wheels, and all models featured LED lighting. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, providing a solid and airy feel, with a drive selector relocated to a column beneath the wiper stalk, enhancing the sense of space.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-litre flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a more powerful 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This turbo setup increased the towing capacity from 1,225 to 1,587 kilograms. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Lineartronic CVT were standard across the lineup. The Premier XT's turbo engine provided a better fit for the vehicle's weight, and the CVT mimicked the sound and feel of eight distinct gears. The Outback offered a comfortable ride, aided by its suspension and reasonably sized wheels. The Wilderness trim provided 24.1 centimetres of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, along with Subaru's advanced X-Mode for off-road adventures.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between 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, and a more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the N Line trim, producing 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine was paired with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, providing conventional gear ratios. All-wheel drive was available for an additional cost on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line. AWD models featured a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension setup, enhancing ride and handling. The Kona's turbo engine offered adequate performance, with a broader torque band peaking from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, although it could feel flat at low revs.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered generous interior space despite its sleek proportions. It provided more headroom up front compared to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and competitive rear-seat legroom. The cargo area measured 923 litres with all seats in place and 2,141 litres with the rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver's seat as standard in Canada. Heated outboard rear seats were available from the Onyx trim, and a powered front passenger's seat was included in the Limited trim. The Premier XT trim offered ventilated front seats. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof were standard from the Touring trim, and the Outback's roof rails with retractable cross bars were a practical touch.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona provided 723 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. Rear legroom measured 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 reach- and height-adjustable. The drive selector was relocated to a stalk on the steering column, creating additional storage space. The Essential and Preferred trims featured cloth upholstery, while the Trend package added leatherette, and the N Line offered Alcantara sport seats. Heated front seats were standard in Canada, with a heated steering wheel available from the Preferred trim. The N Line with the Ultimate package included ventilated front seats. Climate control ranged from single-zone air conditioning to dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents in higher trims.

The 2024 Subaru Outback Premier XT featured a CD player, USB-C and USB-A ports, and an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless functionality starting from the Touring trim. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. Bluetooth and SiriusXM connectivity were standard, and most trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 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 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while lower trims had a 4.2-inch colour multi-information display. The N Line with the Ultimate package offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while other trims had a six-speaker setup. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the EyeSight suite with adaptive cruise control, lane-centring, automatic pre-collision braking, and lane-keep assist. Reverse automatic braking was standard from the Touring trim, and the Premier XT included a digital rearview mirror and driver-attention monitor. A wide-angle camera improved cyclist and pedestrian detection.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist. The Preferred trim added enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and the N Line with the Ultimate package included Highway Driving Assist and a Blind Spot View Monitor. All Konas featured six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.