2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its distinctive appearance from the previous year, maintaining a fresh and futuristic look that set it apart in the crossover class. Its design featured a largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars at both the front and rear, giving even the gas-powered models a modern aesthetic. The Kona's design, while not traditionally handsome, was a satisfactory blend of curves, bulges, and sharp angles. The newer model was noticeably larger, offering more interior space and a more assertive stance, especially in the sportier N Line trim with its body-coloured bumpers and cladding. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, providing a solid and airy feel with ample tech features.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, which had been refreshed in 2023 to feature a more angular and technical look. This design approach gave the Palisade an upscale appearance, making it seem like a bargain at its sticker price. Inside, even the base trim offered a clean and modern look, with premium materials in higher trims. The Palisade was equipped with thoughtful details like USB charging ports in the front seatbacks and second-row smartphone storage pockets. It was available in four trim levels in Canada, with prices ranging from $53,284 to $63,584, including destination charges.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and two gas-powered options. 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 setup prioritized fuel efficiency but might not appeal to those seeking performance due to its "rubber band" sensation during acceleration. The Kona N Line, however, came with a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This provided a more muscular performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available for an additional $2,000 on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line, enhancing the Kona's handling and ride quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Palisade's ride was firm at lower speeds but softer on highways, and it handled speed humps impressively. The powertrain was smooth and refined, offering plenty of power and a satisfying driving experience. However, it was not very fuel-efficient, recording 13.9 L/100 km in city driving and 11.9 L/100 km overall during testing. The Palisade's steering and suspension provided a reasonable feel for the road, and the brakes were well-calibrated.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a surprising amount of cargo space, with 723 litres available with the rear seats in place and expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. Rear legroom was adequate at 970 millimetres, and the front seats provided a generous range of movement. The interior featured excellent storage options, with numerous shelves, trays, and cubbies. The Kona's trims varied in upholstery, with cloth in the Essential and Preferred, leatherette in the Trend package, and Alcantara sport seats in the N Line. Heated front seats were standard in Canada, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats available in higher trims. Climate control options ranged from single-zone air conditioning to dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, with a seven-passenger arrangement featuring second-row captain’s chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The base Preferred trim came with eight-passenger seating. The Palisade's interior was equipped with Nappa premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat in higher trims. Heated and ventilated seats were available in the first two rows, and the triple-zone climate control added to passenger comfort. The Palisade provided generous storage space, with adjustable front cupholders and dedicated sleeves for devices. The Smart Liftgate feature allowed hands-free access to the cargo area, which offered 509 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with all seats folded.

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 also boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, providing a more cohesive and customizable display. Audiophiles could upgrade to the N Line with the Ultimate package for an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system. Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology, while functional, appeared dated compared to Hyundai's newer models. It featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system included Bluetooth support, wireless smartphone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. The voice recognition system performed well, and the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system delivered commendable sound. The Palisade also offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display, with blind spot warnings and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist. 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 came with six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. The Palisade Urban trim added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included evasive steering assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024 but did not receive the accolade in 2025 due to a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test. The NHTSA awarded the Palisade five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.