2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Hyundai Kona presented a unique and funky approach to the small SUV segment. Its styling, which balanced elements of mild and wild, aimed to attract younger buyers. The front end showcased a layered lighting arrangement with lights positioned above and below the grille and flanked by additional light elements and fog lights on certain trim levels. This busy yet playful design contrasted sharply with the more subdued and standard crossover shape of the rear, which featured a traditional lighting configuration. Inside the Kona, the theme of uniqueness and fun continued without becoming overly whimsical. The seats offered neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with higher trims granting the option for leather on the steering wheel and seats. The interior layout included an infotainment system touchscreen mounted high on the dash, accompanied by physical climate controls. Simple and intuitive, this arrangement worked well within the Kona's compact interior, ensuring ease of use and a pleasant cabin experience. The 2022 Nissan Rogue, carrying a heritage dating back to 2007, evolved into a more mature and sophisticated SUV. The redesign from the previous year transformed its slightly cute styling into a grownup look, with the 2022 model continuing this trend. The exterior incorporated Nissan’s V-motion grille flanked by multi-level LED headlights and daytime running lights, and LED fog lamps on higher trims. Subtle but effective aerodynamic elements like active grille shutters, underbody covers, and an "air curtain" highlighted Nissan's engineering emphasis on efficiency. The Rogue's cabin embraced a layered dash design with distinct horizontal layers, featuring different colors and surfaces depending on the trim. A standout feature was the electronic gear selector lever, which freed up space in the center console. This space could accommodate a purse or even a bucket of fried chicken, illustrating the thoughtful use of available room. The center console also featured large cupholders, a wireless charging pad, a roomy cubby below the center armrest, and a 9-inch infotainment display positioned near the driver's eye line. High-quality materials and meticulous fit and finish, especially in the top Platinum trim, emphasized Nissan's focus on creating a refined and comfortable interior environment.

Performance-wise, the 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model came with 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, rated at 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, was available and coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) could be added for an extra $1,400. Despite neither engine being particularly powerful, both provided sufficient power for the vehicle's size, offering ease of movement in both urban and highway settings. However, the Kona’s dual-clutch transmission with the turbo engine was known for its less-than-smooth performance at low speeds, although it improved significantly at higher speeds. Surprisingly, the Kona’s handling was more confident and engaging than expected for its segment and price point. It felt agile and ready to go, offering a fun driving experience while maintaining comfort and control on curvy roads. In terms of fuel economy, the Kona delivered respectable figures, with the FWD and base engine returning an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined. The AWD variant with the base engine offered 25/30/27 mpg, while the turbo engine with FWD and AWD configurations provided 28/32/30 mpg and 26/29/27 mpg, respectively. The 2022 Nissan Rogue, though not traditionally known for exhilarating performance, made significant strides with its new engine, part of Nissan’s VC-Turbo family. The 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, with a variable compression ratio, delivered 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This represented an 11 percent increase in horsepower and a 24 percent rise in torque compared to the previous 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine. This upgrade injected new energy into the Rogue’s performance. The new engine also brought impressive fuel economy, with an EPA estimate of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The upgraded automatic transmission, still a CVT, offered wider gear ratios, providing better acceleration and responsiveness. Although CVTs are often criticized for their droning noise, the new transmission significantly reduced this issue. The Rogue's chassis and suspension adeptly managed the new engine's liveliness, delivering a smooth and controlled ride with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering provided good feedback, and the SUV boasted a tight turning diameter of 35.4 feet.

Interior space in the 2021 Hyundai Kona was decent for front-seat passengers, with sufficient headroom and legroom. The optional sunroof did not encroach significantly on headroom. Controls and displays were within easy reach for both front occupants. However, the front seats, despite being wide and well-padded, lacked bolstering and hip support, making spirited driving less comfortable. Back-seat passengers enjoyed good headroom but limited legroom. The rear door openings were large, facilitating easier loading and unloading of children, but fitting large rear-facing car seats could be problematic for taller front-seat passengers. The Kona's cargo space was at the lower end of its segment, falling short compared to rivals like the Honda HR-V. However, the rear seats folded to expand cargo capacity, and small-item storage spaces were generous. In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue showcased smart interior design details that optimized storage space for all occupants. The front cabin boasted numerous storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray beneath the center console, and dash cubbies. Various outlets, including USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt, were available for device charging. Rear-seat passengers benefitted from door storage, seatback pockets, and a center armrest with additional USB ports. The second-row seat featured a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue excelled in cargo space, providing 31.6-36.5 cubic feet with the seats up, and an impressive 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat, making it a highly versatile vehicle for carrying larger items.

Tech and entertainment features in the 2021 Hyundai Kona included an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Higher trims offered additional tech options like SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless device charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Hyundai's infotainment software was user-friendly, colorful, and responsive, allowing for easy navigation and quick access to settings. The 2022 Nissan Rogue retained the technology upgrades from its 2021 update. Upper trims featured advanced screen setups, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. When equipped with navigation, the Rogue utilized Google Maps and Waze, controllable via voice commands. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system on models with ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, allowing the vehicle to adjust its speed based on road conditions. The Intelligent Key system also evolved, permitting the unlocking of rear doors from the rear door handle.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue also had ten supplemental airbags and extended crumple zones for added passive safety. Additional standard features included Nissan’s Intelligent Driver Alertness technology and rear door alert, with blind spot intervention and traffic sign recognition as available options. ProPilot Assist enhanced the suite by combining steering-assist and adaptive cruise control for a Level 2 advanced driver-assist system, capable of controlling acceleration, braking, and steering in various driving conditions. The enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link further integrated with navigation for predictive speed control. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS had not yet released crash test ratings for the 2022 Rogue but awarded the 2021 model a Top Safety Pick+ rating.