Compare the2023 Cadillac XT4VS 2023 Hyundai Kona N

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

Safety

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The Cadillac XT4 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona N doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XT4 Premium/Sport offers optional Reverse Automatic 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 XT4 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 XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kona N only offers a rear monitor.

Both the XT4 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.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XT4 gets better mileage than the Kona N:

			MPG
XT4
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
Kona N
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT4’s fuel efficiency. The Kona N doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the XT4’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 Cadillac XT4 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Kona N requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The XT4 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT4 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (16.3 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The XT4 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Kona N doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac XT4 higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Kona N (3). This means the XT4 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kona N every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT4, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Kona N.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XT4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona N (245/45R20 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XT4 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Kona N’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The XT4 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Kona N doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The XT4 offers an optional 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 XT4’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the Kona N (109.4 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT4 is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Kona N.

The XT4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58.4% to 41.6%) than the Kona N’s (63.9% to 36.1%). This gives the XT4 more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

The front grille of the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Kona N doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT4 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Kona N doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the XT4 Sport AWD is quieter than the Kona N:

	XT4	Kona N
At idle	39 dB	46 dB
Full-Throttle	75 dB	79 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

The XT4 has 7.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona N (101.3 vs. 94.1).

The XT4 has 2.6 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona N.

Cargo Capacity

The XT4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona N with its rear seat up (22.5 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The XT4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona N with its rear seat folded (48.9 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

The XT4’s cargo area is larger than the Kona N’s in almost every dimension:

	XT4	Kona N
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.5”/67.4”	28.6”/61”
Max Width	50”	48”
Min Width	38.7”	40”
Height	26.6”	30”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XT4. The Kona N doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the XT4 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport, 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 XT4 has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona N has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the XT4 uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Kona N doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The XT4 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 49% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Kona N doesn’t offer a memory system.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kona N doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The XT4’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Kona N does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kona N doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The XT4’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 XT4’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Kona N’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

On a hot day the XT4’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Kona N can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The XT4’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 XT4 Luxury’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Kona N’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The XT4 Premium/Sport’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XT4 (except Luxury) offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kona N doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Kona N’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Kona N offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the XT4 and the Kona N offer available heated front seats. The XT4 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kona N.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport 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 XT4’s optional 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 XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Kona N.

The XT4’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 XT4 and the Kona N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the XT4 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 XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport 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 XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional Automatic Park Assist can parallel park by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automated parking system.