Compare the2024 BMW X3 MVS 2023 Hyundai Kona N

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3 M’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Kona N doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X3 M 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.

The X3 M has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Kona N doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 M has a standard PostCrash iBrake, 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.

The X3 M has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona N doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The X3 M offers an optional Surround 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 X3 M and the Kona N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The BMW X3 M weighs 1270 pounds more than the Hyundai Kona N. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 M is safer than the Hyundai Kona N:

	X3 M	Kona N
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	109
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	153 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	275 lbs.	611 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	133	326
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	66 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	624 lbs.	744 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X3 M its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 67 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Kona N has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The X3 M’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Kona N’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

Engine

The X3 M’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 197 more horsepower (473 vs. 276) and 168 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 289) than the Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X3 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 227 more horsepower (503 vs. 276) and 190 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 289) than the Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the X3 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Kona N doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the X3 M’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.

The X3 M has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (17.2 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona N:

	X3 M	Kona N
Front Rotors	15.6 inches	14.2 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	12.4 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 M has larger tires than the Kona N (F:255/45R20 & R:265/45R20 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 M has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the Kona N. The X3 M Competition has standard 21-inch wheels.

The X3 M 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 X3 M’s wheelbase is 10.4 inches longer than on the Kona N (112.8 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X3 M is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Kona N.

The X3 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the Kona N’s (63.9% to 36.1%). This gives the X3 M more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the X3 M has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona N (8.1 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the X3 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The X3 M has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona N (101.4 vs. 94.1).

The X3 M has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona N.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3 M’s rear seats recline. The Kona N’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona N with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona N with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

The X3 M’s cargo area is larger than the Kona N’s in almost every dimension:

	X3 M	Kona N
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.5”/69”	28.6”/61”
Max Width	47”	48”
Min Width	43.3”	40”
Height	29.7”	30”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Kona N doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X3 M. The Kona N doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X3 M’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Kona N doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The X3 M 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.

The engine in the X3 M is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Kona N. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 35% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the X3 M, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Kona N doesn’t offer a memory system.

The X3 M offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 X3 M’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 X3 M’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 X3 M the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or 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 X3 M’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 X3 M’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kona N’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 M has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kona N doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X3 M also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 M to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Kona N doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X3 M 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.

The X3 M’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 X3 M and the Kona N have standard heated front seats. The X3 M 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 X3 M 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 X3 M’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 X3 M’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 X3 M and the Kona N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the X3 M 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 X3 M offers an optional Active 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 X3 M’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The BMW X3 outsold the Hyundai Kona by 1805 units during 2022.

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