2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

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, giving even the gas-powered models a modern aesthetic. The Kona's increased size, being six inches longer than its predecessor, contributed to a more assertive road presence and improved interior space. The new N Line S trim, along with the N Line, offered a sportier design with body-colored bumpers and cladding, enhancing its visual appeal. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, providing a solidly constructed and airy environment with ample tech features. Notably, 64-color ambient interior lighting became standard on the N Line, N Line S, and Limited trims, adding a touch of sophistication.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, with its rugged and customizable design, offered a unique aesthetic appeal. The Defender 110 four-door model struck a balance in design, while the 90 appeared stubby and the 130 carried excessive visual mass. The Defender X trim, priced at $102,525, included the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials. The test vehicle featured 20-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires, enhancing its pavement-friendly performance. The interior boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, providing a luxurious feel. Despite its industrial theme, the Defender's cabin exuded quality and purposefulness. The Defender's design, while not traditionally luxurious, offered a distinctive and rugged charm that appealed to adventure enthusiasts.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and gas-powered options. The gas-powered models came with two engine choices: a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available across the lineup, offering a more sophisticated ride with a multi-link rear suspension. The Kona prioritized competence in ride and handling, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, delivered robust acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Its adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced off-road capability. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender 130 excelled in urban environments, offering a comfortable ride on its adaptive air suspension. However, its 20-inch wheels and substantial curb weight limited its agility on twisty roads. The Defender's fuel economy was lower than expected, with an observed 16.2 mpg in testing.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona provided ample cargo space, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, offering comfort for most passengers. The front seats featured a generous range of movement, and the interior boasted excellent storage options. Upholstery varied by trim, with cloth on lower trims and Alcantara or H-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Heating and ventilation options were available, with dual-zone automatic climate control on most trims.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating position provided excellent visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row enhanced the open and airy feel. Storage space was plentiful in the front, but less accommodating in the rear. The Defender 130 excelled in third-row seat accessibility and comfort, with a heated and roomy third row. Cargo space was limited behind the third row, but expanded to 89 cubic feet with all rear 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. Higher trims included wireless smartphone charging and a digital key. The SEL Convenience trim and above featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing customization options. The N Line and Limited trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity enabled over-the-air software updates.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessible via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and connected services. The system's response to voice commands was accurate, and the user experience was intuitive. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system impressed, and additional features included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system. The Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning as standard across all trims. Higher trims added Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Kona's safety features were easy to use and contributed to its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a range of driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. The adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, though it struggled in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at press time.