Compare the2024 Toyota bZ4XVS 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Toyota bZ4X 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 Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The bZ4X has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona Electric 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 bZ4X has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The bZ4X has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the bZ4X and the Kona Electric have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

There are over 49 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the bZ4X’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 11th.

The bZ4X’s standard electric motor produces 68 more horsepower (201 vs. 133) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (196 vs. 188) than the Kona Electric SE’s standard electric motor. The bZ4X’s electric motor produces 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (196 vs. 188) than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited’s standard electric motor. The bZ4X’s optional electric motors produces 13 more horsepower (214 vs. 201) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (248 vs. 188) than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited’s standard electric motor.

For better stopping power the bZ4X’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona Electric:

The bZ4X’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Kona Electric are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the bZ4X has larger tires than the Kona Electric (235/60R18 vs. 215/60R17).

The bZ4X Limited’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kona Electric’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the bZ4X XLE has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Kona Electric. The bZ4X Limited has standard 20-inch wheels.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the bZ4X’s wheelbase is 7.5 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (112.2 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The bZ4X has .4 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona Electric.

The bZ4X has a much larger cargo volume than the Kona Electric with its rear seat up (27.7 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

The bZ4X has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The bZ4X’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 Electric’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Kona Electric Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the bZ4X the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Kona Electric can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The bZ4X’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 Electric’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the bZ4X and the Kona Electric offer available heated front seats. The bZ4X Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kona Electric.

Both the bZ4X and the Kona Electric offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the bZ4X has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota bZ4X has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Kona Electric Limited offers wireless charging.