2025 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern aesthetic, reminiscent of the automaker's compact crossover, the Envista. Its front design, with slim DRLs and a large angular grille, drew comparisons to high-end models like Lamborghini. While the side profile appeared somewhat generic, the overall look was sharper and more refined than its predecessor. The Enclave featured fewer creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches. Standard 20-inch wheels on the base and Sport Touring trims, with unique High Gloss Black touches on the latter, added to its appeal. The top-tier Avenir trim boasted 22-inch wheels with a special finish. Inside, the Enclave exuded a modern and premium feel, with a floating centre console and a large curved display. The Sport Touring trim's seats, trimmed in perforated leatherette with contrast piping, elevated the interior's ambiance. A panoramic power sunroof was optional on lower trims but standard on the Avenir.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh and distinctive appearance from the previous year, with a single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars giving it a futuristic look. The Kona's design, with its curves and angles, was not classically handsome but satisfactory. The newer model was significantly larger, enhancing interior space and providing a more assertive stance. The Kona N Line featured a sportier design with body-coloured bumpers and cladding. Trim levels included Essential, Preferred, and N Line, each offering progressively larger alloy wheels and LED lighting. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, offering a solid and airy feel with ample tech. The Trend package or N Line added a sunroof and powered liftgate. The Kona's interior was practical, with a drive selector on the column and excellent in-car storage.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. Fuel efficiency was rated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.2 combined. The Enclave could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. Active Noise Cancellation was standard, effectively reducing road and engine noise. The Enclave, classified as a mid-size crossover, drove like a full-size vehicle, with noticeable bulk and loose steering at slower speeds.

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 an 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. All-wheel drive was available on lower trims and standard on the N Line, offering a more sophisticated ride with a multi-link rear suspension. The Kona prioritized competence over excitement in its ride and handling.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. It accommodated up to seven passengers with second-row captain's chairs. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with heated second-row seats and ventilation available on the Avenir trim. Tri-zone climate control allowed middle-row passengers to manage their temperature. The Enclave featured power-folding third-row seats and GM's AutoSense liftgate, providing 648 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,617 litres with the third row folded, and 2,761 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 723 litres of cargo capacity with rear seats in place, expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. Rear legroom was ample, with 970 millimetres of space and 972 mm of headroom. The front seats provided a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was adjustable. The drive selector's relocation created a spacious feel, complemented by excellent in-car storage. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth on lower trims, leatherette with the Trend package, and Alcantara sport seats on the N Line. Heated front seats were standard, with a heated steering wheel on the Preferred trim. Climate control ranged from single-zone air conditioning to dual-zone automatic with rear vents on higher trims.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. While seamless, Apple CarPlay caused a noticeable interruption in the display. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave offered wired charging with two USB ports in each row.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona included a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Preferred trim with the Trend package and the N Line offered wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai's digital key. The N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while lower trims had a 4.2-inch display. The N Line with the Ultimate package provided an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system and built-in navigation. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came equipped with advanced safety and driver-assistance features, including blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with seven selectable camera views was standard, with an option to increase to nine. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and a head-up display was optional. GM's Teen Driver technology and Super Cruise were available, with the latter requiring a subscription after three years. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by safety organizations, but the 2024 model scored well in most tests.

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, 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. All Konas featured six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.