Buick Envision vs Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, presenting a more premium crossover styling that was lower and wider than its predecessor. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, showcased a sculpted appearance that was more refined than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, yet not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut, featuring upgraded exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels. Inside, the Avenir boasted leather-appointed seating and a head-up display, while all Envisions came with LED lighting and a driver-centric cabin design.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, extending its length by 1.6 inches and introducing revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty character lines. The interior saw a separation of the instrument panel and center console, creating a more spacious look, complemented by new ambient lighting. The addition of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements and performance features, with the N Line offering exclusive black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals. The Kona N further enhanced its sporty appeal with wide fenders, 19-inch alloy wheels, and N sport bucket seats, making it a standout in the subcompact SUV segment.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Despite a reduction in power from the previous model, the Envision's weight loss of 200 to 300 pounds contributed to improved fuel efficiency, with FWD models achieving 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. However, the engine noise during acceleration and deceleration detracted from its premium feel, and the driving experience leaned more towards comfort than sportiness, even with the Sport mode engaged.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range 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, coupled with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona's handling was agile and composed, with the N Line providing a sporty driving experience, while the Kona N offered high-performance features like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential, making it a thrilling option for enthusiasts.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign resulted in a loss of interior space, with reduced headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and decreased legroom and hip room for rear passengers. Cargo capacity also diminished, offering 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite these reductions, the Envision maintained a comfortable ride with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, though forward visibility was compromised by the design.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants, even with the optional sunroof. However, rear-seat passengers faced limited space due to the vehicle's dimensions, and cargo capacity remained tight at 19.2 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Kona's interior was well-designed for front-seat comfort, but rear-seat and cargo space were limited, reflecting its subcompact nature.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with dual-zone climate control and a rearview camera. Available upgrades included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging. However, the tech setup was not particularly advanced, and the driver-centric design made it challenging for passengers to access controls.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display on the base SE trim, while higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Kona included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the base screen, with wired versions on the larger screen. The N Line and above trims featured a digital instrument cluster and wireless device charging, while Hyundai Blue Link provided connected services for three years. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy smartphone connectivity and a range of tech options across trims.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Buckle to Drive feature ensured seatbelt use before shifting from park, and adaptive cruise control was available on the Avenir trim. However, the Envision lacked advanced driver-assist systems like GM's Super Cruise.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies encompassed adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Kona's safety ratings and features made it a strong contender in its class, though its child-seat anchor rating was "Marginal."