2019 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Hyundai Kona

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Honda CR-V as 9 out of 10 and the 2020 Hyundai Kona as 8 out of 10. The 2019 Honda CR-V offers four trim levels—LX, EX, EX-L, Touring—each equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Prices when new ranged from $24,350 to $34,150. The CR-V LX comes with standard 17-inch aluminum wheels, while higher trims feature body-color trim, bigger 18-inch wheels, and rear privacy glass. The interior exudes quality with an abundance of hard plastic that doesn’t look or feel cheap. On the other hand, the 2020 Hyundai Kona looks exciting and offers a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior. The Kona's exterior is visually stimulating with tiered lighting, slim LED running lamps, and two-tone wheels up to 18 inches. However, the interior of the Kona lacks the refinement seen in its exterior design, with hard, dull plastics and lackluster finishes.

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Honda CR-V 7 out of 10 and the 2020 Hyundai Kona 9 out of 10. The 2019 Honda CR-V offers a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine making 184 horsepower in the LX trim and a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 190 horsepower in higher trims. The CR-V delivers a connected and composed ride combined with capable and confident handling. On the other hand, the 2020 Hyundai Kona's 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine offers 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, providing strong acceleration and a fast-reacting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Kona's chassis offers tight, stable suspension and minimal roll, providing a delightful driving experience.

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Honda CR-V 9 out of 10 and the 2020 Hyundai Kona 5 out of 10. The 2019 Honda CR-V offers a spacious interior with plenty of room for people and storage space, providing 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 75.8 cu-ft of cargo with the rear seats folded down. On the other hand, the 2020 Hyundai Kona offers seating for four with average rear legroom and a smaller cargo hold of 19 cubic feet, expanding to 46 with the rear seats folded.

CarGurus experts rate both the 2019 Honda CR-V and the 2020 Hyundai Kona 7 out of 10 for technology. The 2019 Honda CR-V features a long list of infotainment upgrades, driver-assistance features, and collision-avoidance systems, with the EX trim offering a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The 2020 Hyundai Kona comes with a 7-inch touchscreen that accepts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with higher trims offering additional features such as wireless charging, an eight-way power driver's seat, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo.

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Honda CR-V 8 out of 10 and the 2020 Hyundai Kona 8 out of 10. The 2019 Honda CR-V offers Honda Sensing, the company's suite of advanced safety features, as standard on all trims except for the LX, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The 2020 Hyundai Kona scored five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and was rated a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, offering forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor as standard.

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Honda CR-V 8 out of 10 and the 2020 Hyundai Kona 4 out of 10. The 2019 Honda CR-V offered lease options starting at $310 per month for the LX trim and going up to $567 per month for the Touring AWD when new. The 2020 Hyundai Kona had a starting MSRP of $20,300 when for the base FWD SE, with the AWD Ultimate test car costing $30,380 with destination.