2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Acura MDX

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 beneath 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, featuring an infotainment system touchscreen mounted high on the dash and physical climate controls, making the layout simple and intuitive.

The 2022 Acura MDX, on the other hand, was a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category. Built on a new dedicated platform, it featured tweaked proportions with a longer wheelbase, overall length, and a wider body and track. The dash-to-axle distance was increased by over four inches, enhancing its elegant look. Standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and expressive linear LED daytime running lights added to its modern, sporty, and assertive exterior design. Inside, the MDX was modernized with a layered dashboard that emphasized cabin width. Authentic materials like natural wood, genuine aluminum, and real leather were used, supplemented by high-quality plastics. The center console housed multiple controls, including a unique gear selection system, a square touchpad for infotainment, and a rotary dial for drive modes. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen was mounted in landscape orientation, enhancing safety by being a non-touchscreen.

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. While neither engine was particularly powerful, both provided ample power for city and highway driving. The dual-clutch transmission, though not smooth at low speeds, improved the sporty feel at higher speeds. The Kona handled confidently, feeling agile and engaging, with enough comfort and composure for curvy roads. Fuel economy varied, with the base engine and FWD returning 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, and the turbo engine with FWD delivering 28/32/30 mpg.

The 2022 Acura MDX came with a single engine choice at launch, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. A new 10-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels in base and Tech trims, or to all four wheels with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which was optional on base and Tech trims and standard on higher trims. SH-AWD featured torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control by directing up to 100% of torque to either side during turns. The new 4th-generation SH-AWD system responded quicker and had more torque available at launch. The MDX's suspension was upgraded with a double-wishbone setup in the front and revised rear multi-link suspension, improving ride quality and sporty handling. The new 10-speed automatic transmission worked smoothly with the engine, offering five drive modes to tailor performance. The MDX impressed in comparison drives, feeling closer to the benchmark Audi Q7 and outperforming competitors like the Lexus RX L and Volvo XC90.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with an optional sunroof that didn't significantly reduce headroom. Controls and displays were easily accessible, and the front seats, though wide and well-padded, lacked sufficient support for spirited driving. Back-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom. The large rear door openings facilitated loading and unloading children, though large rear-facing car seats could be problematic for taller front passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited, only surpassing the Mazda CX-3 in its segment. However, small-item storage spaces were generous and conveniently located.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled as a three-row SUV, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows. The front row featured dual bucket sport seats, while the second row had a removable center section and could slide fore and aft to balance legroom. The third row, best suited for pre-teens and smaller passengers, was accessible by sliding the second-row seat forward or through the center section. The MDX provided flexible cargo capacity, with 16.3 to 18.1 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 39.1 to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 71.4 to 95 cubic feet with the second row folded. The power tailgate featured "Grab ‘N Go" and Hands-Free Access functions, enhancing convenience. Interior lighting was customizable with 27 themes, adding to the cabin's ambiance.

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, making it easy to navigate and access features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were significant benefits, especially for lower trims, providing navigation, streaming audio, and voice controls.

The 2022 Acura MDX boasted numerous tech highlights, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification, available on A-Spec and Advance Packages. The base MDX had a Premium Audio system with nine speakers, while the Tech Package included an ELS Studio system with 12 speakers. Navigation was standard on Tech and above trims. All MDX models featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the Acura Precision Cockpit 12.3-inch HD digital instrument panel. Amazon Alexa was built-in, offering home-to-car/car-to-home functionality. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi-compatible wireless device charging, and a WiFi hotspot were standard. The A-Spec and Advance trims included CabinTalk, an interior public address system, and a head-up display. The MDX's software and firmware could be updated over the air.

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 2022 Acura MDX's crash-test ratings were not yet released, but the outgoing 2020 model received "Good" from IIHS and five stars from NHTSA. Acura engineers aimed for even better ratings for 2022. The MDX featured a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The front end was redesigned for pedestrian safety, with improved head and leg protection. A low-speed braking control system operated between one and six mph, using sonar to detect objects and brake autonomously if necessary. The AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver assistance technologies was standard, including collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitor, expanded pedestrian detection, and traffic-jam assist.