2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its sophistication with a longer body, revised fascias, and new LED lighting. The sporty character lines and alloy wheel designs added to its appeal, while the interior saw a more spacious look with a separated instrument panel and center console. Ambient lighting and a rear USB port increased convenience and sophistication. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, making the Kona look more athletic. The N Line featured exclusive black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals, while the Kona N boasted wide fenders, a front lip spoiler, and N sport bucket seats, enhancing its sporty appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that referenced the big Range Rover's profile in a sporty package. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and trademark grille were unmistakably Range Rover. The Velar's design included a sloping roof and wide shoulder crease, creating a streamlined look. Special details like taillight lenses with depth illusion and air ducts reminiscent of Bugatti's NACA ducts added to its allure. The R-Dynamic trim introduced bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was slick, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The three screens offered sharp graphics, and upper trims featured extra leather and richer textures.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque in the SE and SEL trims. The N Line and Kona Limited featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivering 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, with an N 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 adequate power and maneuverability, with composed handling and quiet cabin noise levels.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved cornering and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Velar's Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but its off-road capability was limited. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system provided 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, while the R-Dynamic HSE offered 395 hp and 405 lb-ft. The mild-hybrid setup reduced fuel consumption and emissions, delivering high performance expected by luxury buyers.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its small size, offered ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants. The N Line's front seats provided excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat passengers faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. Cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.8 cubic feet with seats folded. Towing was not recommended.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, had limited interior space. Rear-seat headroom and visibility were compromised by thick B-pillars and small windows. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's design included a controversial parking brake control, integrated with the transmission button, which was illogical and potentially dangerous. The Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the Velar featured a heated windshield, navigation with traffic detours, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display and six-speaker audio system. The SEL trim added SiriusXM, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The Limited and Kona N featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona offered a Digital Key and Hyundai Blue Link services, with a user-friendly infotainment system.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was surprisingly reliable, with a simplified layout and customizable features. Voice activation, air quality monitoring, and a heated windshield were notable features. The navigation system offered traffic detours and commuting suggestions. The Velar's instrument panel displayed full-width maps and reconfigurable gauges. Standard features included LED headlights, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the Kona five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave it "Good" ratings in crashworthiness tests. The Kona's forward collision-avoidance system received a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but scored five stars in the European NCAP. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.