Hyundai Kona vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. The interior was crafted with attention to detail, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Kona maintained its fresh appearance with a largely unchanged design from the previous year. Its flush grille and slim LED light bars gave it a futuristic look, while the increased size provided a more assertive stance. The Kona N Line trim offered a sportier design with body-coloured bumpers and cladding. Inside, the Kona felt solid and airy, with a drive selector relocated to a column beneath the wiper stalk, creating a sense of space. The interior was practical, with ample storage and comfortable seating, although the design remained unchanged from the 2024 model.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for comfort rather than sportiness, excelling on highways with its calm and poised ride. It featured two powertrain options: a single rear motor with 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, and an optional dual-motor setup with 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque for AWD. Despite its impressive power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight of 2,630 kilograms, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a welcome feature, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered two gas-powered engine options. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with an IVT for fuel efficiency. The Kona N Line boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. AWD was available on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line, enhancing its handling with a multi-link rear suspension. The Kona's performance was competent, though not exhilarating, with a focus on practicality and value.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders and a faulty charging port were notable issues. The interior offered generous headroom and legroom, but cargo space was limited to 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. The floating console and small centre cubby detracted from usability, and the glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona excelled in practicality, with 723 litres of cargo space expanding to 1,803 litres with the rear seats folded. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, and the front seats offered a generous range of movement. The interior featured ample storage options, and the drive selector's relocation created a spacious feel. Upholstery options varied by trim, with heated front seats standard in Canada and additional features available on higher trims.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ's standout feature was its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections for various controls. The infotainment system ran Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The N Line trim offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing customization options. 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 updates, ensuring features remained current.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with advanced safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

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