2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, boasting a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that belied its mass-market economy car status. Hyundai's clever design made the Kona appear taller and wider than it was, thanks to tiered lighting, a tall grille, and chunky matte plastic trim. The car's slim LED running lamps, strategically placed headlights, and optional fog lights added to its visual appeal. The fender creases and black trim further enhanced its premium vibe, especially with the two-tone wheels and gently sloping roof. However, the interior didn't match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the buttons and screens were functional, the overall tactile quality lagged behind competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX carried over Lexus's familial design and styling attributes, presenting a sharp, sculpted exterior that was both familiar and distinct. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models featured power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels as standard. The F Sport variant added a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels, giving it a sportier appearance. Inside, the NX F Sport boasted quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional Circuit Red interior color scheme. The material fit and finish were excellent, with a gauge cluster featuring a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup. However, the center stack's design looked dated compared to newer models, and the G-Force meter felt more gimmicky than functional.

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. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided strong acceleration and responsive handling, making the Kona a joy to drive. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims featured the turbo engine. The standard 2.0-liter inline-four engine, with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, was less impressive but still paired with a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission. The Kona's AWD system included torque vectoring, enhancing its handling around tight corners. Despite its noisy cabin and stiffer ride, the Kona's steering and suspension impressed, offering a driving experience comparable to luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

The 2021 Lexus NX, while not designed to be sporty, was capable and comfortable. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but less smooth than newer multi-speed transmissions. The NX's AWD system could transfer up to 50 percent of torque to the rear axle, but lacked individual-wheel torque vectoring. Fuel economy was decent, with the FWD model achieving 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The NX F Sport featured an adaptive-suspension system and three drive modes, enhancing its driving experience. However, the steering was numb, and the G-Force meter felt unnecessary.

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 luggage. Competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX offered significantly more cargo space, making the Kona less suitable for families or those needing extra storage.

The 2021 Lexus NX, on the other hand, provided a more comfortable and upscale interior. The front seats offered ample room, and the second-row seats could comfortably accommodate two adults. The NX featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, but its cargo space was limited to 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not the most spacious in its class, the NX's interior comfort and quality made it a more appealing choice for those prioritizing luxury over cargo capacity.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a good list of standard features, especially from the SEL trim upwards. The base SE model included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but higher trims added features like proximity entry, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SEL Plus trim introduced wireless charging, an eight-speaker Infinity stereo, and Blue Link connectivity. 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 Lexus NX came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-speaker stereo system. The Navigation package added two more speakers, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system was available on the top-tier NX. The Lexus Enform Remote mobile app allowed users to control various functions remotely, and the NX also featured Lexus Enform Services Connect for maintenance alerts.

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. 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 Lexus NX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 as standard, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The NX received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided additional safety features, and the NX came with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.