2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Hyundai Kona delivered a compelling exterior design that captivated the mass-market audience. Hyundai utilized its proportions effectively to create a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior. The Kona, despite being one of the shorter vehicles in its class, managed to stand out with its unique styling. The tiered lighting, tall grille, and the matte plastic trim helped the Kona appear larger and more commanding. The intricate design details, such as the fender creases and the use of varying trim colors, added layers of visual interest. However, the interior didn't quite match the excitement of the exterior. The cabin was filled with hard, dull plastics and lackluster finishes, which fell short of the tactile quality seen in competitors like the Mazda CX-30 or the Honda HR-V.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Rogue adopted a more rugged and SUV-like exterior. The new styling featured darker gray plastic cladding, bold skid plates, and lower door protection, giving it an adventurous look. Clean LED lighting elements, a pronounced V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned design elements contributed to a modern aesthetic. With optional two-tone paint, the Rogue presented a customized appearance. The Rogue offered multiple trim levels, ranging from the entry-level S to the luxury-equipped Platinum, each enhancing the vehicle’s curb appeal. Inside, the Rogue featured the improved Zero Gravity seats, delivering comfort across various trims. The use of soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and well-arranged controls provided a sense of quality. Opting for the Platinum trim brought semi-aniline quilted leather and ambient lighting for a genuinely luxurious feel.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona impressed with its powertrain and chassis. Equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, the Kona produced 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This power, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided strong acceleration and confidence during highway merges. The turbo engine was available only on the Limited and Ultimate trims, while the standard engine was a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The non-turbo models featured a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both engines offered optional all-wheel drive. The Kona's handling was tight and stable, especially on winding roads, and the all-wheel-drive models benefitted from an independent rear suspension. However, the noise level in the cabin was higher compared to more refined competitors, and the ride was on the stiffer side.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, had a less powerful engine. It featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which felt adequate but left room for improvement. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) managed to make efficient use of the available torque, and the Rogue included paddle shifters for a more engaged driving experience. Despite the mild power output, the Rogue excelled in ride and handling due to its new architecture, robust suspension system, and features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control. The Vehicle Motion Control system further enhanced the ride quality based on driving inputs. However, the Rogue’s fuel economy slightly underperformed its EPA rating, achieving 27.5 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona lagged in interior space and cargo capacity. It provided seating for four, with decent rear headroom and legroom, but it struggled when it came to luggage space. The Kona offered just 19 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up and 46 cubic feet with them folded, making it one of the smallest in its class. Competitors like the Honda HR-V, Buick Encore GX, and Kia Soul offered significantly more cargo space, making the Kona a tight squeeze for trips involving more than just basic commuting. The Kona’s simplicity in controls and fast infotainment system were engaging, but by pure function, it failed to meet the utility expectations of a small SUV.

In stark contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue excelled in comfort and utility. The Rogue’s new design included improved Zero Gravity seats that significantly enhanced comfort. Equipped with triple-zone climate control, rear air conditioning vents, and rear side window sunshades on higher trims, the Rogue catered well to passenger comfort. Rear seat access was made easier with doors opening to nearly a 90-degree angle. The Rogue also featured ample cargo space, offering 31.6 cubic feet with the seats up in base models and up to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide system in higher trims. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo capacity to 74.1 cubic feet, positioning the Rogue among the leaders in the compact crossover SUV segment.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona had a decent array of standard features, especially from the SEL trim onwards. The base SE came with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SEL Plus introduced amenities such as an eight-speaker Infinity stereo, wireless charging, power driver’s seat, and Blue Link connectivity. The Ultimate trim offered additional luxuries like a sunroof, 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and adaptive cruise control. However, while these features were functional and extensive, they fell short compared to the more advanced technology suite in the 2021 Nissan Rogue.

Nissan provided the 2021 Rogue with a competitive infotainment package starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto on the base S trim. Features like NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration appeared on SV and SL trims. The SL Premium Package and Platinum added a 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The top-tier Platinum trim further impressed with wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona earned top marks for safety, scoring five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and receiving a 2020 Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS. Every Kona came standard with forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. The Ultimate trim added pedestrian detection, though it received lower scores in this area compared to rivals. However, the Kona did not include front knee airbags or rear side airbags, which some competitors offered.

Safety was a priority for the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Nissan equipped every Rogue with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems under the Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Adaptive cruise control was standard from the SV trim, and Nissan's ProPilot Assist with lane-centering was also included. Higher trims offered an improved ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology. The Rogue’s safety system upgrades and innovations in crash energy deflection were aimed at enhancing passenger protection significantly.