2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lexus GX had a design that was starting to show its age. Introduced in 2002 and redesigned for the 2010 model year, the second generation continued into 2020 with some new design tweaks. The updated GX adopted the hourglass grille design seen across the Lexus lineup, which looked better on the GX than on some other models. Despite the new front end and headlights, the GX's decade-old design was still evident, especially in the cabin. The interior featured a large, chunky center console with big buttons and a recessed infotainment screen, reminiscent of early 2010s Lexus styling. While this might not be desirable in a new Lexus RX, it worked for the rugged GX.

The GX was available in three trims: the 460, the 460 Premium, and the 460 Luxury. The base 460 trim came well-equipped with features like 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery, push-button start, automatic climate control, and a power sunroof. The Premium trim added rain-sensing windshield wipers, 3-zone automatic climate control, front and rear parking sensors, and LED fog lights. The top-tier Luxury trim included premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, self-leveling air suspension, and power-folding/reclining third-row seats. CarGurus recommended the base 460 trim for its extensive standard features and value.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, offered a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior for a mass-market economy car priced just above $20,000. Larger than the Ford EcoSport, the Kona's design was visually stimulating with tiered lighting up front, a tall grille, and chunky matte plastic trim. The slim LED running lamps, headlights spaced to the car's edges, and optional fog lights created an effect that made the Kona appear taller and wider. The fender creases, black trim, and two-tone wheels added to its premium vibe. Limited and Ultimate models came with larger wheels and additional gray trim, while the SEL had a unique black-painted roof and pillars.

However, the Kona's interior couldn't match the exterior's emotion or quality. Hard, dull plastics and lackluster finishes were prevalent in the plain cabin. The Limited and Ultimate trims offered some bright color options for the trim and stitching, but the overall fit and finish were below competitors like the Mazda CX-30, Toyota C-HR, and Honda HR-V. Despite this, the Kona's buttons and switchgear felt good, and the screens were high-resolution. The layout was acceptable, but the interior quality was a step below its rivals.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). While these specs might not impress compared to modern V6 or turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, the V8 offered a swell of power in real-world driving. The GX's light steering felt over-boosted at first but proved to be direct and responsive on the road. The self-leveling air suspension provided a smooth yet composed ride, capable of handling potholes and bumps with ease.

The GX's 4WD system made it a beast off-road, capable of handling deep snow, mud, sand, and mild off-road driving without breaking a sweat. The GX also featured a panel of toggle switches for various 4WD modes, suspension height adjustment, and Downhill Assist Control. The GX could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet, making it a sensible city vehicle for urbanites wanting a larger luxury SUV. However, its fuel economy was not impressive, with estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. In a week of combined driving, an average of 16.3 mpg was observed.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). This engine provided strong acceleration off the line, at mid-range, and when passing, making it one of the best powertrains in the segment. The DCT was fast to react and complemented the eager engine, which performed well on regular octane fuel. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims came with the turbo engine. The standard engine was a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Kona's ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined competitors. However, the Kona excelled on twisty roads with fast and direct steering, a tight and stable suspension, and minimal roll. AWD models featured an independent rear suspension, providing better handling on narrow back roads. The Kona's fuel economy was average for the class, with the 1.6T AWD estimated at 26 mpg city, 29 highway, and 27 combined. Over 340 mostly highway miles, an average of just under 29 mpg was observed.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. The captain's chairs provided a small access way to the third row and a natural barrier between kids. However, getting into the third row was a chore for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which was less than competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery. The GX featured a unique side-opening rear hatch and a separately opening rear window/hatch for easy access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona had seating for four, with a scalloped roof for more rear headroom and average rear legroom for the class. However, the Kona's luggage space was one of the smallest in the segment, with 19 cubic feet of cargo space and 46 with the rear seats folded. Competitors like the Honda HR-V, Buick Encore GX, and Jeep Renegade offered significantly more cargo space. The Kona's controls were easy to work, and the infotainment system was simple and fast, but the overall interior space was cramped compared to other small SUVs.

The 2020 Lexus GX's touchscreen infotainment setup showed its age, featuring the last generation of Lexus Enform. While it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the true touchscreen and large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls made it simpler to use than modern Lexus systems. The GX's decade-old layout was straightforward and user-friendly.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a good list of standard features on all trims except the base SE. The SE came with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but higher trims added features like proximity entry, auto/up down windows, vanity mirrors, heated front seats, heated mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, tinted rear windows, blind-spot monitoring, SiriusXM satellite radio, and HD radio. The SEL Plus trim included an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, wireless charging, an eight-way power driver's seat, an eight-speaker Infinity stereo, and Blue Link connectivity. The Limited trim added leather upholstery, while the Ultimate trim featured a sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, auto high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera were also available. The GX's great visibility, with massive windows and mirrors, added to its safety.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona scored five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and was rated a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It came standard with forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Pedestrian detection was only available on the Ultimate trim. The Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags, which some competitors offered.