Compare the2023 Hyundai Kona NVS 2023 Cadillac XT4

The Kona N’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the XT4.

The Kona N’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Kona N and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Kona N comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The XT4’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona N 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Cadillac covers the XT4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the XT4 ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The Kona N’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the XT4’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona N for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT4.

There are over 47 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Kona N’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 15 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (276 vs. 235) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (289 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Kona N is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

The Kona N offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The XT4 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Kona N’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The XT4 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Kona N’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

The Kona N stops shorter than the XT4:

The Kona N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT4’s standard 60 series tires. The Kona N’s tires are lower profile than the XT4’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Kona N has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT4.

The Kona N handles at .95 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Hyundai Kona N may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 550 pounds less than the Cadillac XT4.

The Kona N is 1 foot, 3.2 inches shorter than the XT4, making the Kona N easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona N has .2 inches more front headroom and 2.4 inches more rear hip room than the XT4.

The front step up height for the Kona N is 1 inches lower than the XT4 (16” vs. 17”). The Kona N’s rear step up height is 1.4 inches lower than the XT4’s (16.1” vs. 17.5”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Kona N easier. The Kona N’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.5 inches, while the XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Kona N has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Kona N has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XT4.

The Kona N was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” in 2019. The XT4 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.