Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 Hyundai Kona N

Safety
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona N doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL R-Line has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Kona N doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Tiguan offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona N doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line has a standard Area View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kona N only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Tiguan and the Kona N 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, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tiguan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Kona N has not been tested, yet.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Kona N’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan gets better mileage than the Kona N:

			MPG
Tiguan
	FWD	S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
		R-Line 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
Kona N
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tiguan’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Kona N requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (15.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Kona N (3). This means the Tiguan produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kona N every 15,000 miles.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona N (255/45R19 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan SEL R-Line has standard 20-inch wheels. The Kona N’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Tiguan has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kona N; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 7.5 inches longer than on the Kona N (109.9 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the Kona N’s (63.9% to 36.1%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Kona N’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Tiguan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona N (7.6 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Tiguan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the Kona N:

	Tiguan	Kona N
At idle	42 dB	46 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	79 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Kona N can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 29.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona N (123.9 vs. 94.1).

The Tiguan has 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona N.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tiguan’s middle row seats recline. The Kona N’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the Kona N.

	Tiguan	Kona N
Third Seat Folded	33 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	37.6 cubic feet	19.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	65.3 cubic feet	45.8 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	73.4 cubic feet	45.8 cubic feet

The Tiguan’s cargo area is larger than the Kona N’s in almost every dimension:

	Tiguan	Kona N
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	17.2”/39.7”/74.5”	n.a./28.6”/61”
Max Width	55”	48”
Min Width	39.8”	40”
Height	33.5”	30”

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Tiguan’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Kona N doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Tiguan SE/SEL has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Tiguan SEL R-Line, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kona N doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Tiguan has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona N has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Tiguan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Kona N uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Tiguan SEL R-Line, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kona N doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Tiguan’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kona N has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Tiguan’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona N’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan SE/SEL/SEL Premium the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Kona N can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kona N’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Tiguan’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kona N’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan SE/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Kona N doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL/SEL Premium R-Line has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kona N doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the Tiguan SEL Premium is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Kona N’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tiguan SEL R-Line keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Kona N doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Tiguan SEL R-Line’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Kona N doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Tiguan SE/SEL’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kona N doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tiguan and the Kona N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tiguan has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona N doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Tiguan offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Kona N doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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