2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a small SUV that embraced a funky and playful design, appealing to younger buyers. Its front end featured a busy array of lighting elements, including a grille flanked by lights, additional lights above, and fog lights on certain trims. This created a lively appearance, while the rear design was more subdued, adopting a standard crossover shape. Inside, the Kona maintained its fun vibe with neat seat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with options for leather in higher trims. The interior was well-organized, featuring a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and straightforward climate controls, making it intuitive and user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that offered practicality and style, albeit not as striking as some competitors like the Kia Carnival. Its design adhered to the classic minivan look, with kinked sliding doors creating dramatic character lines. The Elite trim level added a touch of sophistication with dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Odyssey's interior was spacious and functional, with a low console and ample storage. The center stack, though cluttered with controls, was easy to navigate. The expansive windshield and small front quarter windows provided excellent visibility, reinforcing the minivan's family-friendly design.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An 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 cost. While neither engine was particularly powerful, they provided sufficient performance for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly confident, offering agility and engagement, with a comfortable ride on curvy roads. Fuel economy varied, with the base engine achieving up to 30 mpg combined, and the turbo engine offering similar efficiency.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or hybrid options, resulting in an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving. Despite this, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to heat up during extended use, leading to pedal vibration and noise. Overall, the Odyssey provided a pleasant driving experience, though it required more robust brakes for demanding conditions.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls easily accessible to both front passengers. The seats were wide and well-padded but lacked sufficient support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good headroom, though legroom was limited. The Kona's large rear door openings facilitated child seat installation, but cargo space was limited compared to competitors. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo area, and small-item storage was generous and well-placed.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, along with a tri-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row seats were comfortable, with ample legroom and versatile configurations. The Magic Slide seats allowed for easy access to the third row, which was spacious enough for adults. The Odyssey boasted 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 88.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

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 SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a responsive interface and easy navigation.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, though its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. Starting with the EX trim, it offered an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, WiFi hotspot access, and CabinWatch and CabinTalk features. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display, but it was outdated compared to rivals. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker audio system and wireless charging. Overall, the Odyssey's tech package was underwhelming, needing a significant upgrade in future redesigns.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.