2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sophisticated exterior that many considered more premium than its non-European counterparts. Its design elements, such as standard LED headlights and taillights, along with an illuminated grille light line on the Highline R-Line trim, contributed to its upscale appearance. The model name was prominently displayed in all-caps at the rear, complemented by the classic Volkswagen badge. The Trendline trim was limited to grayscale colours, while higher trims offered more vibrant options and varied interior colourways. The interior featured heated front seats in the base model, with upgrades to leatherette upholstery and power-adjustable seats in higher trims. The Highline R-Line trim boasted real leather, front-seat ventilation, and additional comfort features.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona, while visually unchanged from its 2024 predecessor, maintained a fresh and distinctive look in the crossover class. Its flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars gave it a futuristic appeal. The Kona's increased size, being 15 centimetres longer, enhanced its interior space and assertive stance. The N Line trim offered a sportier design with body-coloured bumpers and cladding. The Essential and Preferred trims added visual enhancements with larger alloy wheels. The interior remained solid and airy, with a drive selector positioned on a column beneath the wiper stalk. The Kona's interior featured cloth upholstery in lower trims, with leatherette and Alcantara sport seats available in higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a sunroof and powered liftgate available in higher trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a more traditional driving experience compared to CVTs. In Canada, the Tiguan came standard with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive. Fuel economy ratings were 10.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.0 on the highway, and 9.4 combined for non R-Line trims, while R-Line trims had slightly higher consumption. The Tiguan Highline R-Line's performance was mixed, with inconsistent power delivery and a touchy gas pedal. The steering was light but provided good visibility and handling, making the vehicle feel maneuverable despite its size.

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. The Kona N Line boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, although it felt slightly flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available for an additional cost on lower trims and standard on the N Line, offering a more sophisticated ride with a multi-link rear suspension. The Kona prioritized competence in ride and handling, providing a balanced driving experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a two-row seating configuration as standard, with an optional third row available for an additional cost. The two-row model provided 1,064 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. The three-row configuration reduced cargo space but maintained passenger comfort. The Tiguan offered ample headroom and legroom for front and second-row passengers, with the third row being tighter. Despite its compact crossover classification, the Tiguan was one of the few in its class to offer a third row, providing a competitive edge in passenger capacity.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona provided 723 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. The Kona's trunk, with a dual-level cargo floor, offered impressive storage space. Rear legroom measured 970 millimetres, with 972 mm of headroom, ensuring comfort for most passengers. The front seats featured a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was adjustable for reach and height. The Kona's interior offered excellent storage options, with numerous compartments for personal items. The Essential and Preferred trims featured cloth upholstery, while higher trims offered leatherette and Alcantara sport seats. Climate control options varied by trim, with dual-zone automatic climate control available in higher trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. However, the physical volume knob was less user-friendly due to its integrated on/off button. The infotainment system had monochromatic graphics, accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the R-Line trims offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, featuring good graphics and clear menu layouts. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, with wireless smartphone charging available in higher trims. The N Line trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, offering more customization options. The N Line with the Ultimate package included an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup. Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates, ensuring features remained up to date.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, although it had not yet received the same distinction for 2024. Standard safety features included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and Emergency Assist, providing semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Park Distance Control was standard on higher trims, although its effectiveness was mixed.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety features, offering advanced technology even on base models. Standard equipment included Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist. Higher trims added enhanced features like Highway Driving Assist and Blind Spot View Monitor. The Kona included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials.