2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, though not a total redesign, had a significant makeover. It became 1.6 inches longer than the 2021 model. Hyundai improved the front and rear fascias, added enhanced LED lighting front and back, and introduced new sporty character lines. These updates gave the Kona a more sophisticated and streamlined appearance. The new alloy wheel designs rounded out the exterior changes, while additional sporty elements, like body-color cladding and rocker panels, set the N Line and Kona N trims apart.

Inside, Hyundai separated the instrument panel and center console to create a more horizontal layout, making the cabin feel wider and more spacious. 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 N Line featured exclusive black seats with red stitching, a black headliner, and alloy sport pedals. The Kona N further enhanced the sporty vibe with wide fenders, 19-inch alloy wheels, and other unique design elements.

In our test drive of the Kona N Line in Blue Wave with a black interior, the vehicle looked particularly handsome. The refreshed proportions and Blue Wave exterior color were particularly appealing. We appreciated the red accent stitching and various "N" logos that added a sporty flair.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Nissan Rogue continued with the mature look it adopted after its 2021 redesign. The new Rogue featured a version of Nissan’s V-motion grille upfront, flanked by multi-level LED headlights with daytime running lights above. The SL and Platinum trims included LED fog lamps. Invisible yet functional elements like active grille shutters and underbody covers improved airflow, while the floating roof design added visual appeal.

Inside, the Rogue displayed a layered dash with distinct horizontal sections. Depending on the trim level and color, these dash layers could be contrasting colors, offering a sophisticated and detailed appearance. The center console adopted an electronic gear selector, freeing up space and contributing to a modern look. The new 9-inch center infotainment display was positioned near the driver’s eye line for convenience.

Nissan's Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats provided excellent comfort, and the roomy second row offered ample legroom, making the Rogue an excellent choice for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions. 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 Kona Limited, with their turbocharged 1.6-liter engines and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions (DCT), delivered a more spirited 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The top-performing Kona N came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine generating a whopping 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque.

Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with the 1.6-liter turbo engine, offered more than adequate power for both city and highway driving. Despite minor turbo lag and some clunkiness in lower gears, the DCT provided a much sportier feel. The Kona's handling was composed, confident, and comparable to much more expensive vehicles, thanks to its low ride height and corresponding low center of gravity.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue benefited from its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine that provided 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This was a significant improvement over the 2021 model's engine, making the Rogue more lively and engaging to drive. The new engine offered impressive fuel economy figures of 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The updated CVT in the Rogue contributed to better acceleration and responsiveness, making the vehicle more enjoyable in various driving scenarios. The Rogue’s chassis and suspension handled the new engine's power smoothly, offering a controlled ride with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering added to the driving pleasure.

Hyundai did a good job maximizing space for front-seat occupants in the 2022 Kona. Headroom and legroom were ample, even with the optional sunroof, and the front seats provided excellent support, especially in the N Line. However, rear-seat passengers faced challenges. The small rear door openings required some maneuvering to enter, and head- and legroom were limited due to the compact dimensions and sloping roofline. Despite Hyundai's claims of improved rear legroom in the 2022 refresh, we found it tight.

The Kona's cargo space was limited to 19.2 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While adequate for small loads, it wasn't spacious, and towing was not recommended.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, excelled in practicality. The front cabin featured ample storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray beneath the center console, and various cubbies. Rear-seat passengers also enjoyed storage options and USB ports for device charging. The Rogue’s rear seats offered a 60/40 split reclining bench, enhancing comfort and versatility.

The Rogue's cargo area was impressive, offering between 31.6 and 36.5 cubic feet of storage with all seats up. Folding the second row flat expanded this to a generous 74.1 cubic feet, making it an excellent choice for families with significant cargo needs.

Hyundai introduced more tech features in the 2022 Kona. The base SE trim came with an 8-inch display for the AM/FM audio system with Bluetooth connectivity. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link, which was also standard on the N Line. Higher trims, like the Limited and Kona N, featured a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, traffic information, and a premium audio system.

The Kona offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with the base 8-inch screen, although the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona's Digital Key could lock/unlock the vehicle, start the engine, and activate the panic alert via a smartphone app. Higher trims also offered Hyundai Blue Link connected services for three years.

Nissan's 2022 Rogue continued with the significant tech upgrades from its 2021 redesign. Higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The Rogue’s navigation system used Google Maps and Waze with voice commands for easy navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay on higher trims.

ProPilot Assist, available with high trims, provided advanced driver-assist features, integrated with the navigation system to adjust speed proactively based on road conditions. This feature enhanced the driving experience and added a layer of predictive speed control.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona came with standard driver aid features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-following assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Additional safety technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, Highway Drive Assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning.

ProPilot Assist provided advanced driver-assist features, enabling semi-autonomous driving capabilities, particularly in heavy traffic. The enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link offered predictive speed control by integrating with the navigation system.