2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

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 shorter than rivals like the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR, 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. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, featuring hard plastics and lackluster finishes that fell short compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to blend the timeless cool of its predecessors with modern design elements. The new Defender featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders reminiscent of earlier models. The interior emphasized exposed structure, with horizontal beams, Allen-head bolts, and beefy controls. The leather-upholstered seating and digital instrument panel added a touch of luxury, while the overall design felt authentic and thoughtfully executed. The Defender's fit and finish were first-rate, presenting a bold yet tasteful appearance.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. The 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine produced 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) complemented the eager engine, providing quick reactions and satisfying turbo whooshes. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims featured the turbo engine, while the standard 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft was less impressive. The Kona's handling was tight and stable, with minimal roll and good grip from the wide tires. Fuel economy was average, with the 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and 35.4 inches of wading depth. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. The Defender also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 19 cubic feet of cargo space and 46 with the rear seats folded. Rear legroom was average, and the scalloped roof provided additional headroom. However, competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX offered significantly more cargo space. The Kona's controls were easy to use, and the infotainment system was simple and fast, but the overall utility was lacking compared to other small SUVs.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, built on a unibody platform, featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension for enhanced on-road and off-road performance. The Defender's interior was spacious, with options for a jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. The 110 offered 34-34.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door 90 model had 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came with a 7-inch touchscreen that supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like proximity entry, heated front seats, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Ultimate trim included a sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and adaptive cruise control. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, and the Blue Link app provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with multiple USB and 12-volt outlets. The Defender also offered a 3D surround-camera system, a ClearSight rear-view mirror, and optional Meridian sound systems with up to 700 watts of amplification.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2020 Top Safety Pick by 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 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. However, it came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including front airbags, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender also underwent extensive durability testing in harsh conditions.