2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its aesthetics with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The modernized look featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive “shark fin” C-pillar, giving it a more robust presence akin to the Suburban and Silverado. Each trim offered unique styling elements, with the base LT featuring chrome or an optional Midnight Edition high gloss black treatment. The RS trim sported black mirrors, badges, and red RS emblems, while the new Activ trim showcased dark chrome accents and all-terrain tires. The interior saw a transformation with a new layout, larger infotainment screen, and distinct trim-specific themes, avoiding a cheap feel and offering a choice of textures that felt intentional rather than compromised.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its visual identity from the previous year, yet still stood out in the crossover class with its futuristic design. The flush grille and slim LED light bars contributed to its modern appearance. The Kona's increased size, being 15 centimetres longer, enhanced its interior space and assertive stance. The N Line trim added sportier design elements, while the Essential and Preferred trims offered progressive visual enhancements. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, providing a solid and airy feel with ample tech features. The Kona's design emphasized practicality and comfort, with easy-to-use controls and a spacious cabin layout.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox continued with its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The base LT FWD model featured a CVT, while AWD versions, including the RS and Activ trims, came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed offered smoother and quieter shifts compared to the previous six-speed. The Equinox's acceleration was responsive at low speeds, though it struggled during highway merges due to its smaller engine size. The ride remained quiet and comfortable, with selectable drive modes available on RS and Activ trims, enhancing its versatility for different driving conditions.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options for its gas-powered models. 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 more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 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, though it felt slightly flat at low revs. AWD was available for Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line, offering improved handling and ride quality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The RS and Activ trims could be upgraded with a package that included front seat ventilation, heated rear seats, and driver's seat memory. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with measurements of 970 mm in the front and 960 mm in the rear with the moonroof. The cargo space was slightly reduced, offering 844 litres behind the rear seats and 1,798 litres with them folded. A hidden storage compartment added practicality, though the overall cargo volume was small for its class.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its cargo capacity, offering 723 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,803 litres when folded. The dual-level cargo floor added versatility. Rear legroom measured 970 mm, complemented by 972 mm of headroom, ensuring comfort for passengers. The front seats provided ample adjustment options, and the relocated drive selector created a spacious feel. The Kona's interior featured various storage solutions, enhancing practicality. Upholstery options varied across trims, with heated front seats standard in Canada and additional features available in higher trims.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came equipped with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing seamless multitasking. However, the voice control system presented challenges with volume settings. The Equinox featured an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard on RS and Activ trims, with no option for an upgraded sound system.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured 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 boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing customization options. Audiophiles could upgrade to the N Line with the Ultimate package for an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates, ensuring features remained up to date.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. Standard safety features included rear park assist, side blind-zone alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to set speed and volume limitations, providing a report card of driving behaviour.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and more. The Preferred trim added enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, while the N Line with the Ultimate package included advanced features like Highway Driving Assist. All Konas featured six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.