2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Honda Passport

The 2020 Honda Passport was a testament to Honda's consistent design philosophy, offering a familiar yet appealing aesthetic that resonated with loyal Honda buyers. Its exterior design was a blend of ruggedness and athleticism, positioned between the larger Pilot and the smaller CR-V. The Passport's elevated ground clearance and robust styling cues, such as the matte black grille and 20-inch black alloy wheels, contributed to its off-road capability and adventurous look. Inside, the Passport's cabin was a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, echoing the design of the Honda Pilot. The Elite trim level boasted luxurious features like perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a moonroof, enhancing the overall comfort and sophistication of the interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Kona embraced a more playful and unique design, appealing to a younger audience. Its exterior featured a busy yet fun front fascia with multiple lighting elements, while the rear maintained a more conventional crossover appearance. The Kona's interior mirrored its exterior's lively attitude, with neat seat patterns and a straightforward layout. The infotainment system was prominently placed on the dash, ensuring ease of use and accessibility. Despite its compact size, the Kona's interior was well-organized, offering a balance of simplicity and functionality that complemented its youthful exterior.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided sufficient performance for various driving conditions, although its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The AWD variant offered slightly lower figures. The Passport excelled in off-road scenarios, thanks to its torque-vectoring AWD system and drive modes tailored for snow, sand, and mud. It also boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing competitors like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering 195 horsepower. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo variant featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Although neither engine was particularly powerful, they provided adequate performance for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly agile, offering a fun and engaging driving experience. Fuel economy was a strong point, with the base engine achieving up to 30 mpg combined in FWD configuration. The turbo engine offered similar efficiency, making the Kona an economical choice for daily driving.

The 2020 Honda Passport was a practical midsize SUV, offering ample space for passengers and cargo. Its dimensions provided a comfortable seating arrangement for four adults, with generous knee and legroom. The Passport's cargo area was impressive, offering 41.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, along with the most under-floor storage in its class. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, such as a spacious center console and additional shelf space in the front doors. The Passport's climate control and seat heating/cooling functions were user-friendly and effective, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona, while compact, offered decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers. The rear seats, however, were less spacious, with limited legroom for taller passengers. The Kona's cargo space was modest, ranking low in its segment, but the rear seats could be folded to increase storage capacity. Despite its smaller size, the Kona provided generous small-item storage, with large door pockets and a spacious center console area, making it a practical choice for urban driving.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a straightforward infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with responsive pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, while higher trims added a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Although the dashboard design was somewhat dated, the Passport's technology offerings were practical and reliable.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The system was intuitive and responsive, with colorful graphics and easy navigation. Optional tech features included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Kona's infotainment offerings were impressive, especially considering its price point, providing excellent value for tech-savvy buyers.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning high scores from both the IIHS and NHTSA, and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection, ensuring comprehensive safety coverage.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona also received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display further enhanced the Kona's safety credentials, making it a well-rounded choice for safety-conscious buyers.