2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, tracing its roots back to the original Series I off-roader. Over the years, it evolved into a luxury SUV with robust 4x4 capabilities, appealing to affluent British landowners. By 2013, the current-generation Range Rover had introduced various trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, while higher trims offered additional luxuries like massaging seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona, in contrast, was a small SUV with a playful and unique design, targeting younger buyers. Its exterior featured a busy front with multiple lighting elements, while the rear maintained a more conventional crossover look. Inside, the Kona balanced fun with functionality, offering standard cloth upholstery and an intuitive infotainment system. Higher trims provided leather options and a well-organized interior layout, making it a practical choice for those seeking a compact yet stylish vehicle.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range 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, while a plug-in hybrid option combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with electric motors for a total of 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim 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 excelled in comfort and off-road capability, featuring an electronic air suspension and Terrain Response System with multiple drive modes.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. While neither engine was particularly powerful, both provided sufficient power for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly confident, offering a balance of agility and comfort. Fuel economy varied depending on the drivetrain, with the base engine and FWD achieving an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, SWB and LWB, with standard seating for five. The optional second-row captain’s chairs reduced seating capacity to four but enhanced comfort, especially in the LWB version. The SWB model provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model offered 77.5 cubic feet. Both versions featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece configuration, facilitating easy loading. The interior included a convenient center-console compartment and decently sized door compartments and cupholders.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with controls and displays easily accessible. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good headroom, though legroom was limited. The Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, but the rear seats could be folded to increase capacity. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious center console area.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen controlled climate settings, seat controls, and Terrain Response settings. The system included integrated dials with changing functions based on the selected menu. A fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display were also available, though the system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped 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 and access features.

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

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, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors, providing a comprehensive safety package.