2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Jeep Renegade

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in the subcompact SUV segment with its sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior design. It was larger than the Ford EcoSport, yet still managed to maintain a compact footprint. The Kona's design was visually stimulating, featuring tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim that gave it a taller and wider appearance. The slim LED running lamps, strategically placed headlights, and optional fog lights contributed to its premium vibe. Despite its compact size, the Kona's design cleverly masked its stubbiness, making it a visually appealing choice in the mass-market economy car category.

However, the interior of the Kona did not match the exterior's excitement. It was filled with hard, dull plastics and lackluster finishes, which were a letdown compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V. While the layout was functional and the screens were high-resolution, the overall tactile quality was lacking. The Kona's interior was a step below in terms of expression and quality, which might have disappointed those who were drawn to its striking exterior.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, on the other hand, drew inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The Renegade's design was a nod to Jeep's rugged heritage, and it received a subtle refresh in 2019 that carried over into 2021. The Renegade's interior was modern and functional, with an upright center stack that made controls easily accessible. It offered a variety of trims and special editions, each with unique features and equipment, catering to different preferences and needs.

The Renegade's cabin was spacious, with plenty of headroom in both rows thanks to its tall, boxy design. The front seats provided ample legroom, while the rear seats were suitable for adults. The Renegade also offered practical storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, as well as optional equipment tie-down solutions. The front passenger seat could fold completely forward, providing additional space for long items. Overall, the Renegade's design and interior functionality made it a versatile choice for those seeking a rugged yet practical subcompact SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine was a standout in the segment, offering more power than most competitors. The torque was available early at 1,500 rpm and remained flat until 4,500 rpm, resulting in strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission was quick to react, complementing the eager engine. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims came with the turbo engine, while the standard engine was a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. The Kona's ride was stiffer, and the cabin was not as well insulated, resulting in a louder driving experience compared to more refined competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine provided added motivation with its extra torque and was more refined under hard acceleration. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which sometimes struggled with smooth shifts. Despite this, the Renegade had a solid ride quality and was surprisingly planted through corners. Its short wheelbase made it maneuverable in tight spaces, and the terrain management system with various drive modes enhanced its off-road capability, especially in the Trailhawk trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered seating for four, with average rear legroom and a scalloped roof for more headroom. However, it fell short in cargo space, providing only 19 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 46 cubic feet with them folded. This was significantly less than competitors like the Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade. The Kona's interior was cramped, and it struggled to fulfill its role as a utility vehicle, with limited space for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, in contrast, provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use. Its tall, boxy design offered plenty of headroom in both rows, and the front seats provided great legroom. The Renegade's interior was equipped with practical storage solutions, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for added space. Overall, the Renegade offered more interior space and functionality compared to the Kona.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came with a 7-inch touchscreen that supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like proximity entry, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SEL Plus trim included an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, wireless charging, 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 Jeep Renegade's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier and higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect system, featuring a logical menu layout and easy-to-read graphics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a Kenwood premium audio system was available. The Renegade's infotainment system was user-friendly and offered a range of features to enhance the driving experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It came standard with forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, it lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags, and pedestrian detection was only available on the Ultimate trim.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made several safety features standard across the lineup, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were optional. Despite these features, the Renegade received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.