2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, a combination that had defined the brand since its inception. Originating from the rugged Series I off-roader, the Range Rover evolved into a luxury SUV with stout 4x4 underpinnings, appealing to wealthy British landowners. By 2020, the Range Rover offered multiple trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, with options for Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, while higher trims added more luxurious touches like massaging seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Kona stood out with its sleek, sporty design, making it visually stimulating despite its compact size. Larger than the Ford EcoSport, the Kona's exterior featured tiered lighting, a tall grille, and two-tone wheels, giving it a premium vibe. However, the interior couldn't match the exterior's appeal, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. The Kona offered a range of trims, with the Limited and Ultimate models featuring larger wheels and additional trim. Despite its shortcomings in interior quality, the Kona's design demonstrated Hyundai's ability to create an attractive economy car without a hefty price tag.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse selection of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim, the performance variant, boasted a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, providing a blend of power and efficiency. The Range Rover's electronic air suspension and Terrain Response System ensured a comfortable and capable ride, both on and off-road.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its 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, was paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, offering strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. The standard engine, a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with optional all-wheel drive available. The Kona's chassis and suspension provided a tight, stable ride with minimal roll, comparable to more expensive models like the Mercedes-Benz GLA or BMW X2. However, the Kona's engines were noisier, and the ride was stiffer compared to competitors like the HR-V and CX-30.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: LWB and SWB, both with standard seating for five. The LWB version provided more cargo space, with 77.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 34.5 cubic feet with the seats up. The SWB model offered 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded. The Range Rover's hands-free power liftgate and two-piece configuration made loading large items easier. The interior featured convenient storage compartments, though the center-console compartment was not particularly deep.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, while visually appealing, struggled with interior space. It offered 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. Competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX offered significantly more cargo space. Despite its easy-to-use controls and infotainment system, the Kona's cramped interior made it less practical as a utility vehicle.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, and smartphone connectivity, while the lower screen controlled climate settings, seat controls, and Terrain Response settings. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu. While the system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues, it offered a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, except for the base SE model, came with a good list of standard features. The SE included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SEL added features such as heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and SiriusXM radio. The SEL Plus trim offered wireless charging, an eight-way power driver's seat, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Limited trim included leather upholstery, while the Ultimate trim featured a sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover offered a solid list of safety features, some competitors provided more standard equipment.

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. The Ultimate trim offered pedestrian detection, though it received a lower score in this area compared to other vehicles. The Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags, which some competitors offered.