Compare the2024 Audi SQ5VS 2023 Hyundai Kona N

The SQ5’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 SQ5 and Kona N have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 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 SQ5 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, 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 SQ5 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 SQ5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Top View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kona N only offers a rear monitor.

Both the SQ5 and the Kona N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The Audi SQ5 weighs 948 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 Audi SQ5 is safer than the Hyundai Kona N:

	SQ5	Kona N
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	109
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	98 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	279 lbs.	611 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	326
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	66 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	600 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, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Kona N has not been fully tested, yet.

The SQ5’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Kona N’s (12 vs. 7 years).

The SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 73 more horsepower (349 vs. 276) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 289) than the Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the SQ5’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 SQ5’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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Kona N requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The SQ5 has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (18.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi SQ5 higher (5 out of 10) than the Hyundai Kona N (3). This means the SQ5 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kona N every 15,000 miles.

The SQ5 stops much shorter than the Kona N:

	SQ5	Kona N
70 to 0 MPH	148 feet	168 feet	Car and Driver

For better traction, the SQ5 has larger tires than the Kona N (255/45R20 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ5 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the Kona N. The SQ5 offers optional 21-inch wheels.

The SQ5 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.

The SQ5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Kona N doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SQ5’s wheelbase is 8.6 inches longer than on the Kona N (111 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the SQ5 is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Kona N.

The SQ5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.3% to 45.7%) than the Kona N’s (63.9% to 36.1%). This gives the SQ5 more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the SQ5 has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona N (8.2 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the SQ5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the SQ5 Prestige is quieter than the Kona N:

	SQ5	Kona N
At idle	37 dB	46 dB
Full-Throttle	76 dB	79 dB
70 MPH Cruising	66 dB	73 dB

The SQ5 has 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.8 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona N.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the SQ5’s rear seats recline. The Kona N’s rear seats don’t recline.

The SQ5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona N with its rear seat up (25.9 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The SQ5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona N with its rear seat folded (54.1 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

The SQ5’s cargo area is larger than the Kona N’s in every dimension:

	SQ5	Kona N
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.5”/68”	28.6”/61”
Max Width	50”	48”
Min Width	40.3”	40”
Height	30.5”	30”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the SQ5’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 SQ5. 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 SQ5 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.

The SQ5 has a 4400 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona N has no towing capacity.

The SQ5 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 SQ5 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 Audi service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 34% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

When two different drivers share the SQ5, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The Kona N doesn’t offer a memory system.

The SQ5’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kona N doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The SQ5 Prestige 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 SQ5’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 SQ5’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 SQ5 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 SQ5’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 SQ5’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 SQ5 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 SQ5 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Kona N doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the SQ5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kona N doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the SQ5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Kona N doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the SQ5 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 SQ5’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 N offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the SQ5 and the Kona N have standard heated front seats. The SQ5 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 SQ5 Premium Plus/Prestige 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 SQ5’s standard 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 SQ5’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 SQ5 and the Kona N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the SQ5 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 SQ5 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.

The SQ5 Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automated parking system.