2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, offering a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that belied its mass-market economy car status. Despite being shorter than its competitors, the Kona's design cleverly masked its compact dimensions, making it appear taller and wider. The tiered lighting, slim LED running lamps, and two-tone alloy wheels contributed to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the layout was functional, the tactile quality lagged behind rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 presented a more upscale and high-tech appearance, aligning with the flagship Q8 model. The Q7's design updates included new wheels and lighting elements, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, featuring three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and natural wood inlays, exuded luxury. The Technik trim's multi-colour ambient lighting added a soothing ambiance, making the Q7 a sophisticated choice for those seeking a premium SUV experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a surprising powertrain for its segment, with a 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivered strong acceleration and confidence in various driving conditions. The Kona's handling was impressive, with fast steering and a tight suspension, providing a stable ride even on twisty roads. However, the cabin was noisy, and the ride was stiffer compared to more refined competitors. Fuel efficiency was average, with the Kona 1.6T AWD averaging 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The engine was complemented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing fuel efficiency. The Q7's eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD system provided a smooth and responsive driving experience. The SUV accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and offered a substantial towing capacity. The adaptive air suspension and Audi Drive Select allowed for a customizable ride, making the Q7 agile and comfortable on various terrains. The cabin remained quiet, thanks to dual-pane acoustic glass, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering limited cargo capacity of 544 litres, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. While seating for four was adequate, the Kona's cramped interior made it less practical for transporting larger items. Despite its user-friendly controls and good sightlines, the Kona's utility was compromised by its compact dimensions, resembling a small hatchback more than a true crossover.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with its three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers. The third-row seat was cramped and suitable only for children, reducing cargo space to 402 litres when in use. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 1,010 litres, and with both rows down, it offered 1,970 litres. The Q7 provided a comfortable ride for a family of four, with ample legroom and climate control features. However, interior storage was limited, with the centre console and door-panel bins offering minimal space for personal items.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard features. Higher trims included a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Kona's lane-centring abilities impressed, although the adaptive cruise control lacked stop-and-go functionality.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the MMI Touch Response technology, featuring a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen and an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlay. While the interface was generally intuitive, dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsiveness. The Technik trim offered a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, enhancing the Q7's technological appeal.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It featured standard forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, pedestrian detection was limited to the Ultimate trim, and the Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.

The 2020 Audi Q7 was equipped with advanced driving-assistance systems, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. The Q7's HD Matrix LED headlights provided excellent illumination, though they received a "poor" rating from the IIHS due to glare. The Q7 earned high ratings for collision protection, but the headlight assessment prevented it from achieving a "Top Safety Pick+" designation.