2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Hyundai Tucson

The 2020 Hyundai Kona presented a striking and sporty exterior that stood out among its competitors. Its design cleverly utilized its compact dimensions to create a sleek and dramatic appearance, making it visually appealing for a mass-market economy car. The Kona's exterior featured tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim, which gave it a taller and wider look. The design elements, such as slim LED running lamps and fender creases, contributed to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the layout and screens were satisfactory, the overall tactile quality fell short compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a more conventional styling with a modern and attractive dash design. The interior seamlessly integrated tech features, making them easy to access. The Tucson's trim levels ranged from SE to Ultimate, each adding more features like LED headlight accents, heated seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Tucson's interior provided a comfortable and supportive seating experience, with adequate space for both front and rear passengers. The Tucson's design focused on practicality and comfort, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a more traditional crossover experience.

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. This engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided strong acceleration and confidence in various driving conditions. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims featured this turbo engine, while the standard engine was a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast steering and a stable suspension, offering a driving experience comparable to more premium vehicles. Despite its performance, the Kona's fuel economy was average, with the 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and a 2.4-liter engine with 181 hp. While the base engine felt underwhelming, the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance for city driving. The Tucson's ride was comfortable and refined, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. It offered a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine. The Tucson's performance was adequate for daily driving, providing a smooth and composed ride.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 19 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was significantly smaller compared to competitors like the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul. The Kona's interior felt cramped, making it less practical for carrying larger loads. Despite its easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's utility was limited, resembling a small hatchback more than a true crossover.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided more generous cargo space, with 31 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 61.9 cubic feet with them folded. While not the largest in its segment, it offered adequate space for everyday needs. The Tucson's interior was designed for comfort, with supportive seats and ample front-seat headroom and legroom. The rear seats were accommodating for adults, and the cabin featured numerous storage compartments for convenience.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a range of standard features, with the base SE model including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like proximity entry, heated seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SEL Plus trim introduced wireless charging and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Kona Ultimate featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and adaptive cruise control, enhancing its tech offerings.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8-inch screen on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and hard buttons for convenience. Additional features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging, providing a comprehensive tech experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came standard with 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 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, ensuring a high level of safety.