2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser presented a classic yet modern aesthetic, with its boxy design and flat roof reminiscent of its iconic predecessors. The heritage grille, round headlights on the First Edition, and rectangular lights on other trims paid homage to earlier models, while all lighting was updated to LED, blending tradition with contemporary standards. The vehicle's design was further enhanced by colour-selectable fog lights on higher trims, and the lowered beltline improved driver visibility. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a mix of cloth and SofTex seats, with real leather available in higher trims, emphasizing comfort with heated seats and a heated steering wheel. The cabin's design echoed Toyota's truck lineup, focusing on comfort and capability with cushy seats and attractive stitching.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh appearance from the previous year, standing out in the crossover class with its futuristic design elements like the flush grille and slim LED light bars. The Kona's increased size, being 15 centimetres longer, provided more interior space and a more assertive stance, especially in the sportier N Line trim. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, offering a solid and airy feel with ample tech features. The Kona's trims, Essential and Preferred, added visual appeal with larger alloy wheels and LED lighting. The N Line trim offered a sportier design with body-coloured bumpers and cladding, enhancing its dynamic look.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery pack, and a 48-hp electric motor, delivering a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case for high and low range. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available on all but the base models, operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo, enhancing off-road capability. The Land Cruiser also included an automatic limited-slip differential, rear- and centre-locking differentials, and a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar, improving articulation off-road. The updated CRAWL control function offered five speed settings for precise low-speed control over challenging terrain.

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 for fuel efficiency. The Kona N Line boasted a more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission for a more engaging drive. All-wheel drive was available on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line, providing active on-demand drive to the rear axle and a dedicated Snow mode. AWD models also featured a multi-link rear suspension for improved ride and handling.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two rows of seating, with headroom measuring 917 mm in the front and 897 mm in the back, and legroom at 838 mm front and 678 mm rear. The centre console provided easy access to off-road features, with buttons for the stabilizer-bar disconnect and differential lockers. The cargo area, with a raised load floor and rubber mat, offered 1,063 litres of space, equipped with a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its cargo capacity, offering 723 litres with the rear seats in place and expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. Rear legroom measured 970 mm, with 972 mm of headroom, providing ample space for 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 numerous shelves and compartments. Upholstery options ranged from cloth in the Essential and Preferred trims to leatherette and Alcantara in higher trims, with heated front seats standard in Canada.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 12.3-inch centre touchscreen display with the Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard above the base trim, enhancing off-road visibility. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The upgraded trim offered a 10-speaker sound system, with an optional 14-speaker JBL premium system in higher packages. Additional features included a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona came with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 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, providing customization options. The N Line with the Ultimate package offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system and built-in navigation. Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and lane-tracing assist. The Premium Package and First Edition added lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.

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