2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Hyundai Kona presented a striking exterior design that stood out among its competitors. It was larger than the Ford EcoSport and boasted a sleek, sporty appearance that belied its economy car pricing. The Kona's design cleverly masked the inherent stubbiness of small, short-wheelbase vehicles with tall roofs, making it a standout in its class. Its exterior was visually stimulating, with tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim that gave it a taller and wider appearance. The Kona's design elements, such as the fender creases and two-tone wheels, contributed to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the layout was acceptable, the fit and finish were below par compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a clean and balanced design that some might have found understated, but it exuded a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. The Tiguan was larger for its class, providing a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for passengers. It featured a long-wheelbase version, making it nearly as spacious as larger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Tiguan's interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, although it had some hard plastic elements. The cabin was dressed up with shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system. The Tiguan's design was understated yet elegant, appealing to those who appreciated a more classic look.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. Its 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, outperforming most competitors in its segment. The engine's torque came on early and remained flat, providing strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission was responsive, enhancing the driving experience. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims featured the turbo engine, while the standard engine was a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and minimal body roll. Despite its performance, the Kona's fuel economy was average, with the 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. While adequate, the engine suffered from turbocharger lag, affecting its responsiveness in certain driving situations. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a perception of lethargy when extra power was needed. The EPA estimated the Tiguan's fuel economy at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, but testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite this, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling. However, its suspension struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the tires lacked grip in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making it suitable for long road trips.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering seating for four with average rear legroom and headroom. However, its cargo space was limited, with only 19 cubic feet available and 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was significantly smaller than competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX, which offered more versatile cargo solutions. The Kona's controls were easy to use, and the infotainment system was simple and fast, but it fell short as a utility vehicle due to its cramped interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in interior comfort and space. It featured large doors and tall seating hip points, making entry and exit easy. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the back seat provided excellent support and generous legroom. The Tiguan's interior was well-equipped with air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a large panoramic sunroof. Its cargo space was versatile, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and deep wells for additional storage. Depending on the configuration, the Tiguan offered between 33 and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of up to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a range of standard features, with the base SE 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 introduced 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 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available from the SE trim. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a range of connected services. The system offered faster processing and response times, but the voice recognition technology was lacking. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system, while the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation. The Tiguan's technology was understated yet functional, providing a range of features for modern drivers.

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. It came standard with 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 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Starting with the SE trim, adaptive cruise control was included, while the SEL added lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist. The Tiguan's safety features were comprehensive, with parking sensors and a reversing camera providing additional assistance. The IIHS rated the Tiguan as a Top Safety Pick in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, thanks to its high-performing LED headlights.