2021 Honda Passport vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. Its exterior design closely resembled the Pilot, earning it the nickname "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout mirrored that of the Pilot, including Honda's unique "button shifter" design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials. The trim levels—Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite—offered a range of features, from 20-inch alloy wheels and LED fog lights in the Sport trim to heated and ventilated front seats and wireless device charging in the Elite trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, with a 1.6-inch increase in length and revised front and rear fascias. The new design included enhanced LED lighting and sporty character lines, complemented by new alloy wheel designs. Inside, the Kona's instrument panel and center console were separated to create a more spacious look. The addition of ambient lighting and a rear USB port added convenience and sophistication. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements and sporty features, such as exclusive black seats with red stitching and N logos, making the Kona look more athletic and racy.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power effectively. The Passport's ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. The FWD Passport could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the AWD version could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line and Kona Limited trims had a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N featured performance enhancements like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. The Kona's handling was composed, with a low center of gravity and surefooted performance.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered generous cargo space, with 100.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim featured a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console offered ample storage. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and legroom, with reclining and sliding capabilities.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. Cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet available with all seats up and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2021 Honda Passport featured standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While these features were a welcome addition, the infotainment system's graphics and menu layout were dated, and the volume dial felt like an afterthought.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech, starting with an 8-inch display on the base SE trim. The SEL trim added SiriusXM, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The Limited and Kona N trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an optional Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona also offered a Digital Key and Hyundai Blue Link services.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with some "Acceptable" ratings.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it did not achieve Top Safety Pick status due to "Marginal" ratings for child-seat anchors.