Compare the2025 Volvo XC60VS 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
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/12/21

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC60 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Kona N doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The XC60’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.

Both the XC60 and Kona N have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC60 Plus/Ultra/Polestar has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Kona N’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC60 offers optional built in child booster seats. They’re more crash worthy than an added child seat because of their direct attachment to the seat. Hyundai doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the Kona N. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC60 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

The Volvo XC60 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC60 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC60’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Kona N’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The XC60 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Kona N doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The XC60 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply 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 XC60 has standard CTA Auto Brake 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 XC60 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 XC60 Plus/Ultra/Polestar has a standard 360-Degree Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kona N only offers a rear monitor.

Both the XC60 and the Kona N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Volvo XC60 weighs 822 to 1412 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 Volvo XC60 is safer than the Hyundai Kona N:

	XC60	Kona N
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	73	109
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	190 lbs.	611 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	326
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	66 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	34 G’s
Hip Force	410 lbs.	744 lbs.

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

Warranty

The XC60’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Kona N’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the XC60 has a standard 800-amp battery (850 T8). The Kona N’s 640-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the XC60 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the XC60’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Kona N’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

Engine

The XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 179 more horsepower (455 vs. 276) and 234 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 289) than the Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the XC60 T8 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Hyundai Kona N:

	XC60	Kona N
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	4.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10.2 sec	11.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.7 sec	5.4 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.5 sec	3 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.2 sec	3.7 sec
Quarter Mile	12.6 sec	13.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	111 MPH	105 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XC60 T8 Extended Range running on electricity gets better mileage than the Kona N (66 city/60 hwy MPGe vs. 20 city/27 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the XC60 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Kona N:

			MPG
XC60
	AWD	2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl. Hybrid	28 city/28 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
Kona N
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy

The XC60 T8 Extended Range can travel with zero emissions for 35 miles. The Kona N can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the XC60’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 XC60’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 (not available T8). The Kona N doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The XC60 has 5.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (18.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The XC60 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona N:

	XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered	Kona N
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	14.2 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	12.4 inches

The XC60 stops shorter than the Kona N:

	XC60	Kona N
100 to 0 MPH	337 feet	342 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	168 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC60’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona N (265/35R22 vs. 235/40R19).

The XC60’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kona N’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC60 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Kona N’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The XC60 B6 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on T8) 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

The XC60 Ultimate has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The XC60’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Kona N doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XC60’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 XC60 is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Kona N.

For better maneuverability, the XC60’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Kona N’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the XC60 has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona N (8.5 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the XC60 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The XC60 has 8.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona N (103 vs. 94.1).

The XC60 has 3.1 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona N.

Cargo Capacity

The XC60 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona N with its rear seat up (22.4 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The XC60 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona N with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the XC60 easier. The XC60’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Kona N’s liftover is 27.5 inches.

The XC60’s cargo area is larger than the Kona N’s in almost every dimension:

	XC60	Kona N
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.8”/68.8”	28.6”/61”
Max Width	43.5”	48”
Min Width	41.5”	40”
Height	30.6”	30”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XC60. 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 XC60’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.

Towing

The XC60 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona N has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC60 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction 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 XC60 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 two different drivers share the XC60, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions and outside mirror angle. The Kona N doesn’t offer a memory system.

The XC60 Ultra/Polestar has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, 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 XC60’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 XC60’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 XC60 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 XC60’s standard Keyless Entry & Drive allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Kona N doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The XC60’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 XC60’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 optional on the XC60 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC60 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Kona N doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC60 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kona N doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC60 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the XC60 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 XC60’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 Volvo XC60 and Hyundai Kona N offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The XC60 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Kona N’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the XC60 and the Kona N have standard heated front seats. The XC60 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the XC60 Ultra 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 XC60’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 XC60 Ultra 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 XC60’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 XC60 and the Kona N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the XC60 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 XC60 Plus/Ultra/Polestar has a standard 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.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC60 as the 2018 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Kona N has never been chosen.

See Available Inventory