2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a mid-sized luxury SUV that balanced sleek styling with traditional SUV elements. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the more upright Range Rover models. The Velar's broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar featured high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious, cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a sporty and dramatic exterior for a mass-market economy car. Its design cleverly masked the inherent stubbiness of small SUVs, with tiered lighting and a tall grille that made it appear taller and wider. The Kona's exterior was visually stimulating, with slim LED running lamps and two-tone wheels contributing to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's quality, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. Despite this, the Kona's layout was functional, and the higher trims offered colorful accents that added some flair to the cabin.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a V8 engine in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, delivering 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar was not the fastest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its large size made it less agile on tight roads. The Velar also retained its off-road capabilities, with features like Terrain Response and All-Terrain Progress Control, although it lacked a low-range transfer case.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine, available on the Limited and Ultimate trims, provided strong acceleration and was paired with a responsive 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Kona's handling was impressive, with fast steering and a tight suspension that allowed for minimal body roll. The AWD models featured an independent rear suspension, enhancing the driving experience on narrow roads. However, the Kona's engines were noisy, and the cabin was not well insulated, resulting in a loud driving experience. Fuel economy was average for the class, with the Kona 1.6T AWD achieving an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering a unique size that felt larger on the road but did not translate to more interior space. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. However, its avant-garde styling limited headroom and visibility, creating a claustrophobic feeling inside. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, while offering seating for four, struggled with cargo space, providing only 19 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 46 cubic feet with them folded. This was significantly less than competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX. The Kona's interior was cramped, and its utility was limited compared to other small SUVs. Despite its easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's lack of space made it more akin to a small hatchback than a true crossover.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system offered high-quality graphics but suffered from slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, except for the base SE model, came with a robust list of standard features. The SEL trim added proximity entry, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL Plus included wireless charging and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Limited trim offered leather upholstery, while the Ultimate trim featured a sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and adaptive cruise control. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across most trims.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a lower priority for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than those of competitors.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. The Ultimate trim added pedestrian detection, although it received a lower score for this feature. The Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags, which were available in some competitors.