2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2019 Ford Edge

The 2019 Ford Edge underwent a noticeable exterior update, featuring a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia, which gave it a sportier look. The rear was also refreshed with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the previous red connector, enhancing its athletic appeal across all trims. However, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, retaining a dated feel reminiscent of the 2010 version. Despite the addition of a new rotary shifter, the cabin was heavily reliant on plastics, which detracted from its modernity. The Edge offered a range of trims, from the base SE with standard features like 18-inch alloy wheels and keyless entry, to the performance-oriented ST with unique styling elements and enhanced features.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Kona boasted a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior design that stood out in the subcompact SUV segment. Its tiered lighting, tall grille, and matte plastic trim gave it a taller and wider appearance, while the slim LED running lamps and fender creases added to its visual appeal. The Kona's design cleverly masked its compact dimensions, offering a premium vibe with features like two-tone alloy wheels and a gently sloping roof. However, the interior did not match the exterior's quality, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. Despite this, the Kona's layout was functional, with high-resolution screens and a good feel to the buttons and switchgear, though it fell short in tactile quality compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a robust performance lineup, with non-ST trims powered by a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided reliable performance with the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Edge ST, however, took performance to another level with a 2.7-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, combined with all-wheel drive and a sport-tuned suspension, offered impressive acceleration and handling, making it a standout in its class. Fuel efficiency varied, with the base model achieving 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 on the highway, while the ST consumed 12.6 L/100 km city and 9.2 highway.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona impressed with its 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the most powerful in its segment. This engine, available on the Trend and Ultimate trims, was paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, providing strong acceleration and a satisfying driving experience. The standard engine, a 2.0-litre inline-four with 147 horsepower, was less powerful but still competitive, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Kona's handling was agile, with fast steering and a tight suspension, offering a sporty feel similar to more expensive models. Fuel efficiency was decent, with the 1.6T AWD rated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway, while the 2.0 AWD returned 9.2 city and 7.8 highway.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a practical and spacious interior, despite its dated design. It featured a deep cargo bin in the centre console, USB ports, and available wireless charging. The front seats were comfortable, with the ST trim offering performance-oriented bucket seats, though they were not ideal for taller drivers. The rear seats provided ample space, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Edge boasted a generous cargo capacity of 1,110 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 2,078 litres with the seats folded, making it competitive in its class.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, while visually appealing, struggled with interior space. It offered average rear legroom and headroom, but its cargo capacity was limited, with only 544 litres available and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. This was significantly less than competitors, making it less practical for carrying larger loads. Despite its compact size, the Kona's controls were easy to use, and the infotainment system was straightforward, but it lacked the utility expected from a crossover, feeling more like a small hatchback.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was basic, featuring a small 4.2-inch screen with button controls, offering USB connectivity, WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth. Higher trims like the SEL and above came with an 8-inch Sync 3 system, which was more user-friendly and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, though the graphics were average.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came well-equipped with technology, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen that supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth and proximity entry. Higher trims like the Luxury and Ultimate added features like a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Ultimate trim also impressed with its lane-centring capabilities, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2019 Ford Edge was well-equipped with safety features, including a rear-view camera, traction control, and a full suite of airbags. It came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, offering automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The Edge received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though its headlights received lower scores.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona also scored well in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came standard with forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. The Ultimate trim included pedestrian detection, though it scored lower in this area compared to vehicle detection. The Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags, which some competitors offered.