2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Hyundai Kona presented a striking exterior design that stood out among its competitors. It was larger than the Ford EcoSport and boasted a sleek, sporty appearance that was both visually stimulating and dramatic. The Kona's design cleverly utilized its compact dimensions, featuring tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim that made it appear taller and wider. The car's two-tone wheels, sloping roof, and ground-hugging stance contributed to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the layout was acceptable, the tactile quality was below that of competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 offered a more refined and luxurious design. The Q7 55 TFSI model, with its Navarra Blue metallic paint and Prestige trim, showcased updated front and rear styling, new wheels, and lighting elements that aligned with the flagship Q8 model. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, featuring three digital displays and a Virtual Cockpit panel. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and natural wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech appearance. The multi-color ambient lighting added a soothing vibe, enhancing the overall luxurious feel of the vehicle.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. The 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, outperforming most competitors in its segment. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims featured this turbo engine, while the standard engine offered 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast steering and a stable suspension, though the ride was stiffer and noisier compared to rivals like the HR-V and CX-30. Fuel economy was average, with the Kona 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The Q7 offered several driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Allroad, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The SUV accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The Q7 averaged 21 mpg during a road trip, with the mild-hybrid technology operating seamlessly. The adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering contributed to the Q7's agility and comfort on various terrains.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering seating for four and limited cargo capacity. The rear seats provided average legroom, but the cargo hold was one of the smallest in its class, with 19 cubic feet of space and 46 cubic feet with the seats folded. Competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX offered significantly more cargo space. Despite its easy-to-use controls and infotainment system, the Kona's cramped interior made it less practical as a utility vehicle.

The 2020 Audi Q7, while featuring three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers. The third-row seat was cramped and suitable only for young children, with limited cargo space when in use. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows provided 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7's interior was comfortable for long trips, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row seats offered ample legroom and thigh support, and the four-zone climate control ensured comfort in varying temperatures. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen taking up valuable space.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a range of standard features, with the base model including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like proximity entry, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SEL Plus trim introduced an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, wireless charging, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Ultimate trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, adaptive cruise control, and a sunroof. The Kona's technology package was comprehensive, though the adaptive cruise control lacked full stop-and-go capability.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the new MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch touchscreen with an 8.6-inch touchscreen for system access. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, and wireless smartphone integration. While the interface was generally intuitive, dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsiveness. The Prestige trim featured a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though the head-up display was invisible with polarized sunglasses. The Q7's technology package was robust, supporting remote learning and virtual officing with its 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, scoring five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and earning a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, pedestrian detection was only available on the Ultimate trim, and the Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured advanced driving-assistance systems, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. The Q7's HD Matrix LED headlights provided excellent illumination, though the IIHS rated them as "poor" due to excessive glare. The Q7 received high ratings from the IIHS, with the headlight assessment being the only factor preventing a "Top Safety Pick+" designation. The adaptive cruise control and Active Lane Assist had some issues, but overall, the Q7 offered a comprehensive safety package.