2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a small SUV that combined a playful and unique exterior with a more subdued rear design. Its front featured a busy arrangement of lights and a distinctive grille, appealing to younger buyers with its funky style. Inside, the Kona maintained a balance between fun and functionality, offering neat seat patterns and a straightforward layout. The interior was compact yet intuitive, with a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and physical climate controls, making it user-friendly without being overly whimsical.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X7 exuded luxury and sophistication, standing out among its competitors with superior interior quality and technological sophistication. It was available in three versions, with the xDrive40i starting at $74,900. The X7's massive grille was a defining feature, fitting its large SUV stature. Inside, it shared design elements with the X5 but offered high-quality materials and advanced technology. The X7's styling was both traditional and glamorous, asserting its position at the top of BMW's SUV lineup.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 195 horsepower. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo engine came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. The Kona's engines provided sufficient power for city and highway driving, though the dual-clutch transmission was less smooth at low speeds. The Kona handled well, offering a fun and agile driving experience, with fuel economy ranging from 25 to 33 mpg depending on the configuration.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The X7 incorporated eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which aimed to improve fuel economy and responsiveness. Despite this, the X7's fuel economy was slightly lower than the previous year, with ratings of 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering smooth and powerful performance. However, its handling was affected by its weight, especially on curvy roads, despite the Dynamic Handling Package's features.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent front-seat comfort with good headroom and legroom, though the seats lacked support for spirited driving. The rear seats offered upright seating with adequate headroom but limited legroom. The Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, though the rear seats could be folded to increase capacity. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious center console.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered exceptional comfort with features like heated and ventilated seats, massaging front seats, and premium leather upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, though access could be challenging due to long rear doors. The third-row seats were surprisingly accommodating for adults, with a five-zone climate control system ensuring comfort for all passengers. The X7's cargo space was limited behind the third row but expanded to 90.4 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional features included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a colorful and responsive interface.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured a 12.3-inch iDrive 7.0 infotainment system with navigation and digital instrumentation. It included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro. The system offered wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and gesture control, though the latter was inconsistent. The head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses, but overall, the technology was advanced and user-friendly.

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, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 BMW X7 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. These included evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and semi-automated parking assist. The X7's safety technology was effective, though some features required acclimation.