2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued to build on its previous redesign, maintaining its rear-wheel-drive platform that contributed to its balanced proportions and sleek design. The refreshed model featured a restyled front end, giving it a wider and more ruggedly handsome appearance. New LED taillights and a strip of trim connecting them added to its modern look. Inside, the Explorer saw significant improvements with upgraded materials, colours, and displays, making it more competitive in its segment. Ford reduced the available trim levels in Canada to four, with prices ranging from $52,830 to $71,430, including the destination charge.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its visual identity from the 2024 model, with a futuristic design characterized by a flush grille and ultra-slim LED light bars. The Kona's increased size, being 15 centimetres longer, provided more interior space and a more assertive stance. The N Line trim offered a sportier design with body-coloured bumpers and cladding. The interior remained unchanged from the previous year, offering a solid and airy feel with ample tech features. The Kona's trims, Essential and Preferred, added visual enhancements with larger alloy wheels and LED lighting.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engine options. The majority of trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The ST trim, and optionally the Platinum, came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. All Canadian models had a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Explorer's driving modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, and more, catering to various driving conditions. Fuel economy ratings for the base engine were 11.9 L/100 km city, 8.7 highway, and 10.4 combined. The V6 engine in the Platinum and ST trims had slightly higher consumption figures. The Explorer's performance was commendable, with quick acceleration and responsive handling, especially in the ST-Line with the Street Package.

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. All-wheel drive was available for an additional cost on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line. The Kona's ride and handling were competent, with the AWD models featuring a more sophisticated suspension setup.

The 2025 Ford Explorer accommodated six passengers in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The interior featured comfortable front seats with black artificial leather upholstery and cloth inserts. The second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging for adults. Cargo space was competitive, with 461 litres behind the third row, 1,302 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,429 litres.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered 723 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. Rear legroom was adequate, with 970 mm of space, and the front seats provided a generous range of movement. The Kona's interior featured various storage compartments, and the drive selector's relocation created a sense of space. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth, leatherette, and Alcantara sport seats available. Heated front seats were standard in Canada, with additional features like dual-zone climate control available in higher trims.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a new 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Ford Digital Experience. This system included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and web browser apps were available. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems, with the ST-Line having 10 speakers and the Platinum and ST boasting 14 speakers and 980 watts of power.

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 N Line trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while lower trims had a 4.2-inch display. The N Line with the Ultimate package included an eight-speaker Bose audio system and built-in navigation. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates.

The 2025 Ford Explorer was equipped with Ford CoPilot 360 Assist+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist and other driver assistance systems. The ST-Line and higher trims featured Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, adding a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. The Explorer received five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings from the NHTSA, while the IIHS rated its headlights as Marginal on some trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and more. Higher trims added advanced features like Highway Driving Assist and a Blind Spot View Monitor. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials.