2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish SUV that struck a balance between the sleekness of the Evoque and the boxiness of the traditional Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, while the broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers. The Velar's design included short front and rear overhangs, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition featured sportier styling with larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, adding to its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar boasted high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim, creating a luxurious and cockpit-like feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Kona was a funky small SUV with a playful design aimed at younger buyers. Its front end featured a busy arrangement of lights and a grille, while the rear had a more subdued crossover shape. The interior mirrored this playful attitude with neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with leather available on higher trims. The Kona's interior was well-organized, featuring an intuitive infotainment system and physical climate controls, making it user-friendly and suitable for its compact size.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a range of powertrains, with the highlight being the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition's 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as some competitors, and it felt large on tight roads. The Velar also featured off-road capabilities with Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although it lacked a low range for serious off-roading.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 horsepower. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Kona's performance was not about raw power but rather agility and engagement, making it fun to drive. It offered a comfortable ride and handled curvy roads with composure. The Kona's fuel economy was commendable, with the turbo engine and FWD delivering 28/32/30 mpg.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering competitive cargo space with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. However, its avant-garde styling limited interior space, creating a cramped feeling. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls easily accessible. The rear seats offered good headroom but limited legroom, and the cargo space was not segment-leading. However, the Kona excelled in small-item storage, with generous door pockets and a spacious center console area. The rear seats could be folded to expand cargo space, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, offering smartphone integration, navigation, and media functions. While the system had high-quality graphics, it suffered from slow responses. The Velar also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, adding to its tech-savvy appeal.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like navigation, wireless device charging, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Kona's infotainment software was user-friendly, with a colorful and responsive interface, making it easy to navigate and access features.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, but it offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, although Land Rover's driver-assist tech was less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, enhancing its safety credentials.