2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 toward 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 overly whimsical. The seats had neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with higher trims offering leather upgrades. The well-organized interior featured a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and physical climate controls, making the layout simple and intuitive.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodating a third row of seats. The wheelbase stretched five inches for more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The extra mass and bigger rear blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee look truncated. The Grand Cherokee L was elegant and unmistakably a Jeep, with its seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end. The lighting was modernized, and the paint finish and panel fit were markedly improved. High-end trims like the Summit and Summit Reserve featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. For 2022, Jeep added new exterior paint colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

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 hp and 195 lb-ft 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 Kona handled with confidence, feeling agile and engaging, yet comfortable and composed on curvy roads. Fuel economy varied: the base engine with FWD returned 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, while the turbo engine with FWD achieved 28/32/30 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The V6 produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available only on higher trims, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. Fuel economy for the V6 was 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 managed 14/22/17 mpg. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with ride composure and steering feel that were taut and direct. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The maximum towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 with 4WD.

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 sufficient support for spirited driving. The rear seats offered good headroom but limited legroom, making it less comfortable for taller passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited, though the rear seats could fold to expand the area. Small-item storage spaces were generous and conveniently located.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with straightforward graphics and physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced long journeys. However, the air vents were small and didn't direct enough airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

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

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in preview of the next corner. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Summit trims added automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition.

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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.