2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its distinctive appearance from the previous year, maintaining a fresh and unmistakable look 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 futuristic vibe. While not traditionally handsome, the Kona's design elements, including its curves, bulges, and sharp angles, came together in a satisfying manner. The newer model was noticeably larger, about 15 centimetres longer, enhancing both its interior space and assertive stance. The Kona N Line, with its sportier design, body-coloured bumpers, and cladding, stood out among the Essential and Preferred trims, which offered progressively larger alloy wheels and LED lighting.

The interior of the 2025 Kona remained unchanged from the 2024 model, providing a solid and airy feel. The drive selector's placement on a column beneath the wiper stalk contributed to the spaciousness, and the tech features were impressive. A sunroof and powered liftgate were available with the Trend package on the Preferred trim or the N Line. The Kona's interior offered a comfortable and tech-savvy environment, with options for leatherette and Alcantara sport seats, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control in higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, carried over its design from the previous year. This three-row SUV featured a chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps aligned with Hyundai's design aesthetic, and the brand offered vibrant colours like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim had specific wheel sizes, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, and the XRT trim added chrome and black accents for an off-road look.

Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which featured captain's chairs in the second row. Upholstery options varied from leatherette to Nappa leather, depending on the trim. While the fit and finish were generally good, some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing. The HVAC system included physical dials for temperature control, but fan speed buttons were less intuitive. The Santa Fe's interior offered a spacious and comfortable environment, with features like heated and ventilated seats, a premium audio system, and a wide rear opening for easy cargo access.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and gas-powered options. The gas-powered models included 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 lacked the performance punch some drivers desired. The Kona N Line, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided a more muscular performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available on the Essential and Preferred trims for an additional cost and standard on the N Line, enhancing traction and handling.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged engine delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. AWD was standard across the lineup, and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting duties. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-litre engine with an electric motor for a total of 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, also with standard AWD. The Santa Fe offered stable cornering, firm brakes, and responsive steering, although turbo lag and occasional transmission delays were noted. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance for improved off-road capability, but it wasn't designed for rugged rock crawling.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona provided ample cargo space, with 723 litres available with the rear seats in place and expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. Rear legroom measured 970 millimetres, and headroom was 972 millimetres, offering decent comfort for passengers. The front seats were adjustable, and the steering wheel had reach and height adjustments. The Kona's interior boasted excellent storage options, including shelves, trays, and cubbies. Upholstery options ranged from cloth to leatherette and Alcantara sport seats, with heated front seats standard in Canada. Climate control options varied by trim, with dual-zone automatic climate control available in higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class. The second-row seats had adjustable cushion angles, and both the second and third rows could be folded for increased cargo capacity. With the third row folded, the Santa Fe provided 1,148 litres of space, expanding to 2,267 litres with the second row folded. Even with all three rows occupied, there was still 413 litres of cargo space. The rear opening was widened to 127.5 centimetres, making it easier to load large items. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied by trim, with the XRT capable of towing up to 2,040 kilograms.

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 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 Santa Fe offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a digital gauge cluster of the same size. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and quick response times. Navigation was available on the Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display. Bluelink app connectivity provided remote access to climate control and vehicle monitoring.

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 came with six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The top trims added features like Highway Drive Assist and Blind View Monitor. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it "Good" in most categories, with "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and LATCH.