Compare the2024 Buick EnvistaVS 2023 Hyundai Kona

Both the Envista and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 2 times as many Buick dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Envista’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Envista has a standard 760-amp battery. The Kona’s 640-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 17th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 2 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Envista’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 132) than the Kona’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Envista 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 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Envista higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Kona (5 to 7). This means the Envista produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kona every 15,000 miles.

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

The Envista stops shorter than the Kona:

For better traction, the Envista has larger standard tires than the Kona (225/60R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Envista’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Envista has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kona SE. The Envista’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Kona N Line/Limited.

The Envista 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 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Envista’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Kona (106 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

The front grille of the Envista 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 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The Envista has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona (97.5 vs. 94.1).

The Envista has .4 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and 3.5 inches more rear legroom than the Kona.

The Envista has a much larger cargo volume than the Kona with its rear seat up (20.7 vs. 19.2 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Envista offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Kona doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 41% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

The Envista’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kona 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 Envista’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’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically. The Kona SEL/N Line/Limited’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to lower them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Envista’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Kona doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Blue Link can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Envista’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Kona’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Envista Avenir’s standard rear view mirror and optional 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 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Envista’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Kona doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Envista’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Kona SE doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.