Compare the2024 BMW X1VS 2023 Hyundai Kona N

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

Safety

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The BMW X1 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 X1 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X1 has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Kona N doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The X1 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 X1 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 X1 and the Kona N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 X1 weighs 450 pounds more than the Hyundai Kona N. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The BMW X1 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Kona N has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

The X1’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Kona N’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the X1 has a standard 210-amp alternator. The Kona N’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 X1 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 289) than the Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X1 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (313 vs. 276) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 289) than the Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the Kona N:

			MPG
X1
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
Kona N
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X1’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 X1’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 X1 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (6 to 8 out of 10) than the Hyundai Kona N (3). This means the X1 produces up to 30 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kona N every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X1 M35i xDrive’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona N:

	X1 M35i xDrive	Kona N
Front Rotors	15.2 inches	14.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.4 inches

The X1 stops shorter than the Kona N:

	X1	Kona N
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	168 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona N (245/45R19 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X1 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Kona N’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The X1 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 X1’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Kona N (106 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

The X1’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.1% to 42.9%) than the Kona N’s (63.9% to 36.1%). This gives the X1 more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona N (8.1 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the X1 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.

Passenger Space

The X1 has 2.5 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona N.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X1’s rear seats recline. The Kona N’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona N with its rear seat up (25.7 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona N with its rear seat folded (46.9 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X1. 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 X1 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally 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 X1 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona N has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X1 uses the Dynamic Stability Control 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 X1 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 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 X1, 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 X1 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 X1’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.

If the windows are left open on the X1 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. The driver of the Kona N can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X1’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 X1’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X1 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 X1 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kona N doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the X1 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 X1’s optional 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.

On extremely cold winter days, the X1’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 X1’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 X1 and the Kona N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the X1 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 X1 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 X1’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X1, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X1 third among small premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Kona N isn’t in the top three.