2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, extending its length by 1.6 inches compared to the 2021 model. The updated front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and new character lines gave the Kona a more sophisticated appearance. The sporty new body lines were contrasted by lower body cladding, and new alloy wheel designs rounded out the exterior styling changes. Inside, the instrument panel and center console were separated to emphasize a more horizontal layout, creating a wider, more spacious look. New ambient lighting for the front cupholders and footwells added a touch of sophistication, while a rear USB port increased convenience for back-seat passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, the first vehicle of the new Ioniq lineup, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines. The Parametric Pixel design, inspired by 8-bit graphics, was used extensively in the vehicle's lighting elements, including headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The Ioniq 5's aerodynamic wheels featured a progressively ornamental design, and the vehicle's bottom half was accented with silver-contrast plastic bits. Inside, the Ioniq 5's "Living Space" design theme created a mellow and relaxing environment. The interior featured sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and bio-materials, and offered a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat, providing a zero-gravity resting position.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions across its lineup. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The N Line and Limited trims were equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The new Kona N trim boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an N eight-speed wet DCT, producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. The Kona N also featured exclusive driving features such as N Grin Shift, N Power Shift, and N Grin Control, along with launch control, a variable exhaust system, and high-performance brakes and tires.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range model featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor, producing 168 horsepower and offering 220 miles of range. The extended-range lineup included SE, SEL, and Limited RWD variants with a 168-kW rear motor, producing 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD variants featured a dual-motor system with a total power output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 offered four drive modes, including Sport mode, which re-tuned the torque split and added weight to the steering wheel feel. The vehicle also featured paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative properties and a single-speed transmission.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants, even with the optional sunroof. The front seats, especially in the N Line trim, offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings, limited headroom due to the sloping roof, and compromised legroom. The Kona's cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet available with all seats up and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5's interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet exceeded that of its competitors, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The vehicle's "Living Space" theme included soft touch points, a moveable center console, and a modern take on the retro front bench seat. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, providing a pleasant cushion for driving and relaxing.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an 8-inch display as standard on the base SE trim, with a six-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The Limited and Kona N trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and traffic information, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base 8-inch screen, while the larger screen only supported wired versions. The Kona also offered Digital Key, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless device charging on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured a next-generation high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. The Ioniq 5 supported charging infrastructures up to 800 volts and could reach 80 percent battery capacity within 18 minutes. The vehicle also offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. The Ioniq 5's multimedia features included a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, a digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The vehicle's 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant, intuitive, and finished with an anti-glare coating.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona's standard safety features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-following assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, Highway Drive Assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The Kona received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all six crashworthiness tests.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The vehicle also offered Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5's head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays provided information like animated turn-by-turn navigation. While neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had released crash-safety ratings for the Ioniq 5, Hyundai's recent track record suggested high marks were likely.