2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, boasting a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that set it apart from its competitors. Despite being several inches shorter than rivals like the Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, and Mazda CX-30, the Kona's design cleverly masked its compact dimensions. The tiered lighting, tall grille, and matte plastic trim gave it a taller and wider appearance, while the slim LED running lamps and fender creases added to its visual appeal. The Kona's two-tone wheels, sloping roof, and ground-hugging stance contributed to its premium vibe, especially in the Limited and Ultimate trims.

However, the interior of the Kona didn't quite match the exterior's excitement. The cabin was filled with hard, dull plastics and lackluster finishes, making it feel less refined compared to competitors like the CX-30 and HR-V. While the buttons and screens were functional and high-resolution, the overall fit and finish left much to be desired. The Kona's interior options, such as the bright color trims in the Limited and Ultimate models, added some flair, but it still fell short in tactile quality and overall expression.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs like the CR-V and Pilot. The HR-V's design was distinctive, with upper and lower window lines converging near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trim levels featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport model boasting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. Fog lights were standard on all but the base LX trim.

Inside, the HR-V's styling was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. The EX and EX-L models offered additional features like push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L also including leather upholstery. While the HR-V's interior wasn't luxurious, it felt solid and well-built, providing a comfortable and practical driving experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. The standout engine was the 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), provided strong acceleration and a satisfying driving experience. The turbo engine was available only in the Limited and Ultimate trims, while the standard engine was a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both engines offered optional all-wheel drive (AWD) and torque vectoring for improved handling.

Despite its powerful engine, the Kona's ride was stiffer and noisier compared to more refined competitors like the HR-V and CX-30. However, the Kona excelled in handling, with fast and direct steering, a stable suspension, and minimal body roll. The AWD models featured an independent rear suspension, enhancing the driving experience on twisty roads. Fuel economy was average for the segment, with the 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Honda HR-V, on the other hand, was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While AWD was available on all trim levels, the HR-V's powertrain felt underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was not particularly effective. Competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek offered more powerful engine options.

However, the HR-V's chassis made up for its lackluster engine, providing a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads. The HR-V offered decent ride quality and lived up to Honda's reputation for fun-to-drive cars. Its AWD system was suitable for slippery roads but not for rougher terrains, and the HR-V was not rated for towing.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 19 cubic feet of cargo space and 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While seating for four was adequate, the Kona's cramped interior made it less practical for carrying passengers and cargo compared to competitors. The Kona's controls were easy to use, and the infotainment system was simple and fast, but it fell short in terms of utility.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space, thanks to its "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the rear seats folded, the HR-V offered 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 with AWD) with the seats up. These figures surpassed competitors like the Kona and Subaru Crosstrek. The HR-V also led the segment in rear-seat legroom, providing ample space for passengers. While the HR-V lacked clever interior storage solutions, its sensibly-designed controls and standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel made it user-friendly.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a good list of standard features, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen that supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SEL added proximity entry, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The SEL Plus trim included wireless charging, an eight-way power driver's seat, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Limited trim added leather upholstery, while the Ultimate trim featured a sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim came with standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim and higher levels offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. While the HR-V's infotainment system was plain but functional, the 7-inch touchscreen felt small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard on the base trim.

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. It received top ratings in six crash tests and for forward emergency braking. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist and a driver attention monitor, while pedestrian detection was available only on the Ultimate trim.

The 2021 Honda HR-V also received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating. Honda Sensing safety features were available only on the EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.