Toyota Land Cruiser vs Hyundai Kona

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.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more traditional SUV design with a utilitarian focus. The base model, named the 1958, featured a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the Cruiser trim provided a more modern and upscale appearance. The Cruiser trim also included critical off-roading hardware and software, making it a more capable vehicle for adventurous drivers. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was enhanced with features like a Premium Package that added leather and more tech, although the rear seats lacked comfort and support.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and two gas-powered options. The Essential and Preferred trims were equipped with 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. The N Line trim featured 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. All-wheel drive was available on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line, enhancing the Kona's versatility.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came standard with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time four-wheel-drive system, equipped with electronic locking differentials and various off-roading features. Despite its impressive power, the Land Cruiser's fuel efficiency was less than expected, with real-world consumption significantly higher than official ratings. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions but struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, with 723 litres of cargo capacity, expandable to 1,803 litres with the rear seats folded. Rear legroom was adequate, and the front seats provided a comfortable driving position with a range of adjustments. The Kona's interior featured various storage solutions, and the trims offered different upholstery options, from cloth to Alcantara sport seats. Climate control options varied across trims, with dual-zone automatic climate control available on higher trims.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser provided 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather or real leather with the Premium Package, and the cabin included a power sunroof. However, the high load floor and running boards could be inconvenient for some users.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The N Line trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and the Ultimate package added a Bose premium audio system and built-in navigation. Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates, ensuring the Kona's features remained up to date.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to two 12.3-inch displays, offering a sophisticated infotainment experience with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included various connected services, and the Premium Package added a JBL premium sound system and additional tech features. The Land Cruiser's voice recognition system performed well, providing accurate navigation assistance.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision Warning as standard across all trims. The N Line with the Ultimate package 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.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. These included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Premium Package added features like front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. However, the Land Cruiser's ADAS performance varied, with some systems requiring manual intervention in certain conditions. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.