2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept from 2013. This update included new lighting elements, such as light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of the new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a new "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly integrated into a full-width light bar, housing the illuminated logo. The Atlas also introduced new wheel designs across all trim levels, with the Comfortline base model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, the Highline with 20-inch wheels, and the Execline with 21-inch wheels. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering a more rugged appearance with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior trim.

Inside, the Atlas received a revised look, focusing on the centre of the cabin. The infotainment touchscreen was now freestanding, and the shifter was reduced to a tiny toggle, creating more space and allowing for an upward-arching console with storage underneath. While this made the interior more functional, the contrast between the minimalist interior and the truck-like exterior was somewhat jarring. Volkswagen aimed to make the interior feel more upscale, with improved fake wood trim and a new weaved plastic trim simulating carbon fibre. Leatherette seats were standard, with leather upholstery and contrast stitching available on Highline models. The Execline model featured diamond stitching, combining silver stitching with black upholstery for a stylish look. However, some stitching, particularly on the centre console, appeared less refined, and the overall material quality seemed more fitting for a base model than a top-tier one.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its visual design from the previous year, maintaining a fresh and distinctive appearance in the crossover class. Its largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim front and rear LED light bars gave even the gas-powered models a futuristic look. While not conventionally handsome, the Kona's design featured a satisfying blend of curves, bulges, and sharp angles. The newer model was noticeably larger, approximately 15 centimetres longer, providing more interior space and a more assertive stance. The Kona N Line, with its sportier design, included body-coloured bumpers and cladding, enhancing its visual appeal. Other trims, Essential and Preferred, progressively added visual enhancements with larger alloy wheels, ranging from 17-inch on Essential to 19-inch on N Line. All models featured LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights.

The interior of the 2025 Kona remained unchanged from the previous year, offering a solid and airy feel. The drive selector for the automatic gearbox was positioned on a column beneath the wiper stalk, contributing to the sense of space. The Kona's interior boasted ample tech features, and those seeking a sunroof could opt for the Trend package on the Preferred trim or choose the N Line. A powered liftgate was also available with these options. Overall, the Kona's interior provided a comfortable and tech-savvy environment for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, compared to the previous VR6 engine's 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The new turbo-four engine, an iteration of VW's EA888, was connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The Atlas was quicker than the six-cylinder 2023 model, taking approximately 8.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a stop. While the driving experience focused on comfort and frugality, the four-cylinder engine provided smooth acceleration to highway speeds, albeit with more noise than thrust. Ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh Atlas, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. However, the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement, lacking low range and underbody protection for off-road adventures. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), standard in Canada.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and gas-powered models. The gas-powered Kona came in two variants, depending on the trim level. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This transmission prioritized fuel efficiency but exhibited a "rubber band" sensation during acceleration. The Kona N Line, on the other hand, boasted a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The turbo engine's broader torque band provided muscular performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available for an additional $2,000 on 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 performance was competent, offering a balanced driving experience suitable for various situations.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features for 2024, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a power liftgate on the base Comfortline trim. Heated second-row seats were standard from the Highline trim. The Atlas provided seating for seven with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. It could accommodate three child seats side by side and tilt and slide forward with the seats in place. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on Highline and Execline trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The third-row bench was 50/50 split-folding. The Atlas offered competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space varied from 2,735 litres with the second and third rows folded to 583 litres with all seats in place. The Atlas provided more cargo space than most rivals, except the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona surprised with its cargo capacity, offering 723 litres with the rear seats in place and expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. This made it more spacious than some larger vehicles. Rear legroom measured 970 millimetres, 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 drive selector was relocated to a stalk on the steering column, creating additional storage space. The Kona's interior featured excellent in-car storage, with numerous shelves, trays, and cubbies. 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 in Canada, with a heated steering wheel available on the Preferred trim. The N Line with the Ultimate package included ventilated front seats. Climate control options ranged from basic single-zone air conditioning to dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received more standard tech features for 2024, including a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also standard. The Atlas featured six USB-C ports, with up to eight available. A head-up display was standard on the Execline trim. The premium audio system was upgraded to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system on higher trims, replacing the previous Fender system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, VW's reliance on haptic touchpads for controls like audio volume and headlights made them less intuitive to use.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona continued to offer a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims. The system featured good graphics, clear menu layouts, and 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 Essential and Preferred trims had a 4.2-inch colour multi-information display, while the N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The N Line with the Ultimate package offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while other trims had a six-speaker setup. Built-in navigation was available on the N Line with the Ultimate package, but smartphone pairing provided an effective alternative. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received a "Good" score in most crash tests. Standard driver assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also featured automatic post-collision braking, a crash response system, and an emergency assist feature.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its safety technology, equipping even base models with advanced features. Standard equipment included Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, and Safe Exit Warning. The Preferred trim added enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, while the N Line with the Ultimate package included Highway Driving Assist and Blind Spot View Monitor. The N Line with the Ultimate package also offered parking assistance features. All Konas included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.