2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its overall sophistication. The vehicle was extended by 4 centimetres compared to the 2021 model, and featured a revised grille, updated front and rear fascias, and enhanced LED lighting. The sporty new character lines and lower body cladding added to its crossover SUV appeal. New alloy wheel designs completed the exterior updates, giving the Kona a more streamlined and athletic look. Inside, the instrument panel and centre console were separated to create a wider, more spacious feel, complemented by new ambient lighting in the front cupholders and footwells. The introduction of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and rocker panels, exclusive black seats with red stitching, and alloy sport pedals, further enhancing the Kona's sporty image.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including a gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours, along with a rear VW logo that lights up, were introduced. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. The ID.4 was based on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, and shared a minimalist interior design with recent VW gasoline models. The interior offered a feeling of quality, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibres. The ID.4's interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, enhancing functionality.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line trim boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The high-performance Kona N was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also featured exclusive driving modes and performance enhancements like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with the 1.6-litre engine and AWD, provided ample power and a sporty driving experience, with minor turbo lag and clunkiness in lower gears.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base model with RWD, and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro model with RWD or AWD. The single-motor RWD models delivered 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models offered 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, potentially improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version rivalled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lacked handling precision due to body roll. The regenerative braking system allowed coasting in default mode, with a more aggressive "B" setting, but did not support one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, provided ample front-seat comfort with generous headroom and legroom, even for taller drivers. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space was tight, with 544 litres available with all seats up and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with the seats folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models rated for 1,000 kilograms and AWD models for 1,225 kilograms. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display on the base trim, offering Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system. The Preferred trim added SiriusXM and Hyundai BlueLink, while the N Line offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an optional Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy smartphone connectivity and a suite of connected services available on higher trims.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 made the 12.0-inch touchscreen standard across all models, with software updates for improved responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system offered sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, though the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less intuitive. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness tests, though it missed Top Safety Pick status due to "Marginal" child-seat anchor ratings.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. While IIHS ratings for 2023 were unavailable, the 2022 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating. The ID.4 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.