2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport had been eagerly anticipated, with Ford revealing that it would precede the larger, resurrected Bronco. The Bronco Sport captured some of the rugged styling cues of its big brother but was designed as a unibody crossover with a focus on everyday driving and weekend adventures. Its modern retro look, reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, featured short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body designed for trail driving. The front end echoed the larger Bronco, with bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, while the Ford blue oval appeared modestly on the tailgate.

The Bronco Sport's wheels varied by model, with the Base model featuring 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels and the First Edition model boasting 17-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels with 29-inch all-terrain tires. The interior was tastefully rugged, with an uncluttered design and a unique shape for the HVAC vents. The center stack included several open storage cubbies and an 8-inch infotainment screen. Interior trim levels ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the First Edition offering Navy Pier Leather power front seats and rubberized flooring.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a funky small SUV with a blend of mild and wild styling. The front featured a busy look with multiple lighting elements, while the rear had a more subdued, standard crossover shape. The Kona's exterior shouted uniqueness and fun, appealing to younger buyers. Inside, the Kona managed to maintain a playful attitude without being too whimsical. The seats had neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with higher trims offering leather on the steering wheel and seats. The well-organized interior featured an infotainment system touchscreen mounted high on the dash and physical climate controls, making the layout simple and intuitive.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, generous suspension travel, and decent ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-liter engine provided a better match for the Bronco Sport's character, while the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained when pressed hard.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivered 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional cost. The Kona's dual-clutch transmission could be less graceful at low speeds but smoothed out at higher speeds. The Kona handled and drove with confidence, feeling agile and engaging, while maintaining comfort and composure on curvy roads. Fuel economy varied by configuration, with the base engine and FWD returning an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, and the turbo engine with AWD delivering 26/29/27 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features designed for outdoor adventures. The cargo space was engineered to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting various gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo hold included a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with an optional sunroof that didn't significantly reduce headroom. The front seats were wide and well-padded but could use more support. Back-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom, and large rear-facing car seats could cause issues for taller front passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, though the rear seats could fold to expand the space. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious center console area.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system included six speakers, with a Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

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 and use.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was available as part of the tow package. All Bronco Sport models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. Crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

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 safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and parking sensors.