2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, showcased a bolder and more angular appearance, setting it apart from its traditionally cute and durable predecessors. The Adventure trim, introduced in the previous year, enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The new TRD Off-Road trim for 2020 took these features further with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup, providing a versatile ride on various surfaces. The TRD Off-Road's distinct wheels, tires, and badges, along with the Lunar Rock gray paint with an optional white roof, added to its rugged appeal. Inside, the TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and quality construction contrasted with some inexpensive-looking plastic, making it a practical yet stylish choice.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona, with its funky and playful design, targeted younger buyers. Its front grille, flanked by multiple lighting features and fog lights, created a busy yet appealing look. The rear, however, was more subdued with a standard crossover shape. Inside, the Kona maintained a fun attitude without being overly whimsical. The seats featured neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with higher trims offering leather options. The well-organized interior included a high-mounted infotainment system touchscreen and physical climate controls, making it simple and intuitive to use. The overall design was compact yet functional, catering to the needs of its target audience.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid, a separate model, offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving but was not available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain of the test vehicle delivered good numbers for its class, feeling energetic, especially in Sport mode. An 8-speed automatic transmission handled power delivery, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system with fuel-saving driveline disconnect technology and multiple terrain-specific driving modes. With 8.6 inches of ground clearance, it excelled in off-road conditions. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

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 with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The base engine came with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,400. The Kona's engines provided ample power for city and highway driving, though the dual-clutch transmission was less smooth at low speeds. The Kona handled confidently, offering a fun and engaging driving experience. Fuel economy varied by configuration, with the base engine and FWD achieving 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, and the turbo engine with AWD delivering 26/29/27 mpg.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit with well-placed seating hip points. The 8-way adjustable driver's seat provided a low and sporty driving position, while the front passenger seat, though lacking height adjustment, offered good thigh support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat on hot days, but the optional Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Interior storage was ample, with a useful dashboard shelf. Cargo space measured 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

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 could use more support. Rear-seat passengers found good headroom but limited legroom. The large rear door openings facilitated loading and unloading children, though large rear-facing car seats could pose issues for taller front passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, but the rear seats folded to expand the area. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious center console.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display, depending on the trim level. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available with a free 3-month trial. The TRD Off-Road trim's 8-inch system had some glare issues but was otherwise easy to use, with menu shortcut buttons and knobs for volume and tuning. Upgrades included an embedded navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The TRD Off-Road's voice-recognition technology was impressive, accurately responding to commands. The optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable camera settings.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came 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. Hyundai's infotainment software was simple, colorful, and responsive, making it easy to navigate. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were significant benefits, especially for lower trims, providing navigation, streaming audio, and voice controls.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, featuring advanced driving assist safety features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. Toyota also offered a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services, including automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and enhanced roadside assistance. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance, though headlight performance varied by model.

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, lane-following assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention warning system, and rear occupant alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and parking sensors.