2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

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 array of lighting elements, including a grille flanked by lights, additional lights above, and fog lights on certain trims. This design appealed to younger buyers seeking a fun and distinctive vehicle. Inside, the Kona maintained its playful attitude with neat seat patterns and a well-organized interior. The infotainment system was mounted high on the dash, complemented by physical climate controls, creating a simple and intuitive layout that suited the compact space.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and sophistication, having evolved from its rugged origins to a high-end SUV. The model offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with prices starting at $92,000 and reaching upwards of $250,000 for the most lavish configurations. The test vehicle, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim with standard paint, wheels, and leather. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained timeless, with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean styling. Inside, the cabin was a luxurious space with an Ivory-color interior and a mid-century modern ambiance, though the infotainment system was less intuitive than newer models.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,400. While neither engine was particularly powerful, both provided sufficient power for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly confident, offering agility and engagement, with a comfortable and composed ride on curvy roads. Fuel economy varied depending on the configuration, with the base engine and FWD achieving an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive was standard, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control for off-road capability. The Range Rover provided a commanding driving position and smooth power delivery, with near-total cabin silence. Its adaptive air suspension offered a classic wafting ride, though the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity limited its agility on winding roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, with the test vehicle averaging 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with a simple and intuitive layout for controls and displays. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom, and large rear-facing car seats could pose challenges for taller front passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited, with only a slight advantage over the Mazda CX-3, though small-item storage was generous and conveniently located.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, though shorter passengers still found it challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in a slouched seating position. Despite this, the rear seat offered luxury features like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped 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. The infotainment software was simple, colorful, and responsive, with easy navigation and minimal clicks required to access features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were significant benefits, especially for lower trims.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured fully digital instrumentation and infotainment, rendered using three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system offered numerous features and functions, though it was not entirely intuitive. Using the two 10-inch touchscreens while driving was distracting, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside while engaging in activities. Land Rover also offered an iGuide smartphone app as a digital owner’s manual.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with "Good" scores in all crash test areas, 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.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, front and rear parking sensors, and a speed limiter for cruise control. Optional packages offered additional driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, traffic sign recognition, and a driver monitoring system. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, with effective and accurate safety features, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.