2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Volvo XC90

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

The 2022 Volvo XC90 had a great stance and a wonderful profile, with a body that seemed tilted toward the front as if poised to launch. The long and sleek roofline contained the big greenhouse without telegraphing bulk and height. Pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, and a snub nose recalled the upright grille of the classic 245 wagon. Superior fit and finish conveyed quality, and the LED detail in the headlights, called "Thor's Hammer," added a nod to the XC90's Swedish heritage. The interior was described in terms like "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," with natural wood and metal trim bringing an authentic feel. Exquisite details, like the sliding wood tambor cover on the center console and the clear crystal gear selector handle, highlighted the luxury feel. Volvo committed to going leather-free by 2030, but the XC90 could still be fitted with Nappa leather or a "tailored wool blend" 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. The optional drivetrain was a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine rated at 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for a $1,400 upcharge. The Kona handled and drove with more confidence than its price tag suggested, feeling agile and ready to go. Fuel economy for the base engine with FWD was 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, while the turbo engine with FWD delivered 28/32/30 mpg.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came with three powertrain options. T5 models used a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. T6 models had a supercharged and turbocharged version of that engine, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 had a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. T5 models were FWD with available AWD, while T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The T8 had a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, making it fun to drive.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with all controls within easy reach. The front seats were wide and well-padded but could use more support. 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 open up more space. Small-item storage spaces were generous and conveniently located.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 could carry up to 15.9 cubic feet of luggage behind its third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on configuration. The XC90's interior space was well-utilized, with ample storage and a spacious cabin made brighter by the standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even during a heat wave.

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.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch diagonal, portrait-oriented touchscreen interface. The system was intuitive but could be glitchy and slow to respond. It worked better with Apple CarPlay functionality. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered easy configuration and crisp graphics. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. The SUV included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety with a long list of features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.