2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was characterized by its clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. While some might have found its styling understated, it was designed to age gracefully. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, nearly matching the interior space of larger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. This upsizing resulted in a roomy interior, accommodating up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with digital instrumentation and a touchscreen infotainment system. However, the use of hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks detracted from its premium feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its sophistication with revised front and rear fascias, LED lighting, and sporty character lines. The interior featured a more horizontal layout, creating a wider appearance, with ambient lighting adding a touch of elegance. The Kona introduced two new trims, the sporty N Line and the even sportier Kona N, each with unique styling elements and performance enhancements. The N Line boasted exclusive black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals, while the Kona N featured wide fenders, 19-inch alloy wheels, and N sport bucket seats. The refreshed Kona's proportions and Blue Wave exterior color, along with N Line-exclusive wheels, contributed to its streamlined and sporty appearance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, was adequate but suffered from turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy. Fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite its powertrain shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled with sharper speed bumps and corners.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower for the SE and SEL trims. The N Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 horsepower, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The new Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivering 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N included performance features like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line, provided ample power and maneuverability, with minor turbo lag and clunkiness in lower gears. The Kona's light curb weight and low center of gravity contributed to its composed handling and quiet cabin.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating, and adjustable front seats. The interior featured V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control. Rear-seat space was generous, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for passengers. The Tiguan offered a panoramic sunroof and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, providing flexibility for cargo and passengers. Cargo space ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of a third-row seat, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided ample front-seat comfort with good headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. Cargo space was tight at 19.2 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Kona's compact dimensions limited its practicality for rear passengers and cargo, making it less suitable for larger families or extensive hauling.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, offering an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a suite of connected services. The system had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. Higher trims offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, providing a more refined audio and display experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech, with an 8-inch display standard on the SE trim and a 10.25-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The Kona offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The N Line and above trims featured a digital instrument cluster and wireless device charging. Hyundai Blue Link provided connected services, including remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy smartphone connectivity and a range of tech features for an entry-level model.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with the IQ Drive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, thanks to high-performing LED headlights.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Kona received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all six IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it did not achieve Top Safety Pick status due to "Marginal" child-seat anchor ratings.