2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its overall sophistication. The vehicle was 1.6 inches longer than its predecessor, featuring revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty new character lines. The sharp body lines were complemented by lower body cladding, and new alloy wheel designs completed the exterior updates. Inside, the Kona's instrument panel and center console were separated to emphasize a more horizontal layout, creating a wider, more spacious look. New ambient lighting and a rear USB port added convenience and sophistication. The introduction of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-color cladding and exclusive interior features, enhancing the Kona's athletic appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple aesthetics. While not flashy, the Range Rover Sport offered options like Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels for a touch of flair. Our test vehicle, in Eiger Gray with silver wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, coupled with aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-end ambiance. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with various upgrades pushing the MSRP to $98,420. Highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic design.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. For more spirited driving, the N Line and Kona Limited boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed DCT. The high-performance Kona N was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N featured exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and launch control, enhancing its sporty character. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with AWD, provided ample power and agility, making it enjoyable to drive in various settings.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver engagement. It offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 variant delivered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A PHEV drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, offering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 51-mile electric range. A 523-hp twin-turbo V8 was available in select early-build models. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided strong acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent AWD, with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The SUV's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 22.3 mpg on our evaluation route. The Range Rover Sport's adaptive damping air suspension and Dynamic driving mode contributed to its composed handling, though it didn't match the agility of sport-tuned competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, offered a comfortable front-seat experience with ample headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats provided excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space was modest, with 19.2 cubic feet available with all seats up, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with narrow door openings complicating access. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats down. A full-size spare limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided solutions to secure smaller items.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an 8-inch display with Bluetooth connectivity on the base SE trim, while the SEL added SiriusXM, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The N Line and above offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an optional 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 also included a Digital Key and Hyundai Blue Link services.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system proved challenging to navigate, with inconsistent responses from the digital assistant. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona provided essential safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crashworthiness tests.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, such as forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less refined than expected, particularly on freeway curves. The Range Rover Sport's safety features included Wade Sensing for off-road water crossings and Remote Park Assist.