2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a funky small SUV that blended mild and wild styling. Its front grille was flanked by lighting features, with additional lights above and fog lights below on some trims. This busy look leaned more towards playful than business, appealing to younger buyers. The rear design was more subdued, featuring a standard crossover shape and lighting configuration. Inside, the Kona maintained a fun attitude without being too whimsical. The seats had neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with higher trims offering leather upgrades. The interior was well-organized, with an infotainment system touchscreen mounted high on the dash and physical climate controls, making the layout simple and intuitive.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen’s gasoline models. It replaced the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed to the corners. The ID.4 was part of VW’s EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it didn’t look much like an SUV, it shared this trait with many other EV crossovers. The interior combined Volkswagen’s minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while higher trims offered leatherette upholstery.

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 was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,400. The Kona handled and drove with more confidence than expected for its price and segment, feeling agile and engaging. Fuel economy varied, with the base engine and FWD returning an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, while the turbo engine and AWD delivered 26/29/27 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It was the first rear-wheel-drive Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than handling, with a smooth ride over bumps but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, it didn’t offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, relying more on friction brakes and coasting for efficiency.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with controls and displays within easy reach. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked support for spirited driving. Back-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom. The Kona’s cargo space was near the bottom of its segment, though the rear seats folded to expand the area. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious center console.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though legroom was average. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than several EV rivals but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, opting for more cabin space instead. The interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but poor rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars. The console was narrow, offering limited storage for larger items but plenty of spots for phones. Standard heated steering wheel and front seats helped maintain cabin heat efficiently.

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. The infotainment software was simple, colorful, and responsive, making it easy to navigate and access features.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with a 12-inch option), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads instead of traditional switchgear. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system and ID.Light, a light strip that communicated information to the driver. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

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.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021 included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated.