2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Hyundai Kona

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was easily recognizable with its signature Jeep round headlights, 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It offered a purposeful yet expressive design, with primary trim levels including Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. Special editions ranged from the affordable Jeepster to the pricey High Altitude. The base Renegade Sport trim started at $25,210, while the High Altitude trim, loaded with extras, reached an MSRP of $36,515. This top-tier version featured extra-cost paint, dark gray 19-inch wheels, and a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, giving it a surprisingly grown-up look. However, despite the fancy details, the interior's hard plastic materials and all-black color scheme made it look inexpensive and unimaginative.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, was a funky small SUV with a blend of mild and wild styling. The front featured a busy look with multiple lighting elements, while the rear had a more subdued, standard crossover shape. The interior mirrored the exterior's playful attitude without being too whimsical. Standard cloth upholstery could be upgraded to leather on higher trims, and the well-organized interior featured an infotainment system touchscreen mounted high on the dash with physical climate controls. The layout was simple, intuitive, and worked well with the Kona's compact interior.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine generating 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission was standard with both engines, with FWD on base models and AWD on higher trims. The turbocharged engine provided peak torque at 1,750 rpm, making the Renegade feel energetic, though turbo lag and a transmission calibrated for fuel economy often resulted in a lack of response. The Renegade averaged 23.6 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 26 mpg, and had a small 12.7-gallon fuel tank. The Trailhawk trim was the best version for off-roading, with its more capable Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine rated at 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine came with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo engine had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD available for an additional $1,400. The Kona handled and drove with confidence, feeling agile and engaging. Fuel economy varied, with the base engine and FWD returning 27/33/30 mpg, and the turbo engine with AWD delivering 26/29/27 mpg.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade's interior felt larger than many competitors due to its boxy design, panoramic glass roof, and vertical side glass. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat made it easy to get comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear seat space was cramped, and the Renegade had few practical interior storage spots. Cargo volume measured 18.5 cubic feet behind the back seat and 50.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with all controls within easy reach. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked support. Rear-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom. The large rear door openings made loading and unloading children easier, though large rear-facing car seats could cause issues for taller front passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited, but small-item storage spaces were generous and conveniently located.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade featured the familiar Chrysler Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Kenwood premium audio system offered good sound, and the Renegade had a comprehensive driver information center and a parking assist system.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came with an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Available tech included SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless device charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen system. The infotainment software was simple, colorful, and responsive, making it easy to navigate.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered an Advanced Tech Group with adaptive cruise control, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Safety and Security Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and commendable scores from the IIHS, though it did not carry forward its Top Safety Pick rating from 2019.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention warning system, and rear occupant alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and parking sensors.