2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, offering a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that belied its mass-market economy car status. Despite being several inches shorter than its competitors, the Kona's design cleverly masked its compact dimensions, making it appear taller and wider. The tiered lighting, tall grille, and matte plastic trim contributed to its visually stimulating appearance, while the two-tone wheels and gently sloping roof added a premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the layout was acceptable and the screens high-resolution, the overall tactile quality fell short compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser exuded a sense of timeless luxury, despite its dated appearance. The Heritage Edition, with its bronze BBS wheels and old-school badges, added a touch of nostalgia. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered plush, premium leather upholstery and a commanding view from the tall, supportive seats. The interior was a mix of Toyota parts-bin switchgear and Lexus design themes, providing a high-quality feel. However, the Land Cruiser's exterior design was basic, with giant headlights and a blizzard of chrome, lacking the character of its competitors. The interior, while swanky, was not particularly imaginative, with a small center console bin and a "cool box" that sounded better than it was.

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. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided quick responses, and the torque came on early, offering strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and minimal body roll. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined rivals. Fuel economy was average, with the 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, offered a different kind of performance. The engine was quiet, with 90% of its 401 pound-feet of torque available at just 2,200 rpm, providing unexpected thrust. The eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case ensured the Land Cruiser's legendary off-road capability. Features like the Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction assist, and Crawl Control made it a formidable off-road vehicle. On pavement, the Land Cruiser drove like a Lexus, with a refined ride, though it required more steering effort when parking. Fuel economy was poor, averaging 14.7 mpg.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 19 cubic feet of cargo space and 46 with the rear seats folded. While seating for four was adequate, the Kona's luggage space was one of the smallest in its class. Competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX offered significantly more cargo room. Despite its easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's utility was limited, making it more akin to a small hatchback than a true crossover.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, despite its dated appearance, offered a luxurious interior with plush leather upholstery and a commanding view from the tall seats. The second-row bench seat was roomy, with heated cushions and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The third-row seat accommodated adults if the second row slid forward, though leg support was lacking. Cargo space was 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded. The Land Cruiser's split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided easy access, and the maximum cargo space was 82.8 cubic feet.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a good list of standard features, with the base model including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like proximity entry, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SEL Plus trim included an eight-speaker Infinity stereo and Blue Link connectivity, while the Ultimate trim offered a sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and adaptive cruise control. The Kona's technology was user-friendly, though the adaptive cruise control lacked stop-and-go functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was a throwback to a simpler time, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. The system lacked depth and did not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was dated, with 11.6-inch displays that were not touchscreens. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound, but it was not on par with high-end systems in other SUVs at this price point. The Land Cruiser's technology was straightforward, with large buttons and knobs for easy control.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, scoring five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and earning a 2020 Top Safety Pick from 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 Toyota Land Cruiser, with 10 airbags and a curb weight of nearly 6,000 pounds, offered a good chance of survival in a collision. However, crash-test ratings were not available for this vehicle. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems were standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Land Cruiser also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping.