2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in the subcompact SUV segment with its sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior design. It was larger than the Ford EcoSport, yet still managed to maintain a compact footprint. The Kona's design was visually stimulating, featuring tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim that gave it a taller and wider appearance. The exterior details, such as the fender creases and two-tone alloy wheels, contributed to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. Despite the high-resolution screens and acceptable layout, the Kona's interior quality lagged behind competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Expedition was a full-size SUV with a clean and somewhat conservative design. While some might have found its styling boring, it was a design that aged well over time. The King Ranch model featured 22-inch aluminum wheels, a mesh grille insert, and LED headlights, giving it a distinguished look. Inside, the Expedition King Ranch boasted Del Rio leather and numerous King Ranch logos, providing a luxurious feel. However, the presence of hard plastics, especially in lower trims, was a drawback considering the SUV's price point. The Expedition's interior was spacious and comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a surprisingly robust powertrain for its segment. Its 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, outperforming most competitors. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided quick responses, and the Kona's acceleration was strong in both normal and sport modes. The turbo engine was available only in the Trend and Ultimate trims, while the standard engine was a 2.0-litre inline-four with 147 horsepower. The Kona's handling was impressive, with fast steering and a tight suspension that minimized body roll. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to rivals. Fuel efficiency was average, with the 1.6T AWD model rated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission efficiently delivered power to the standard 4WD system in Canada. The Expedition's towing capacity was impressive, with the standard model capable of towing 4,173 kilograms. Despite its size, the Expedition was surprisingly agile in urban environments, thanks to its tight turning radius and easily modulated brakes. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch model provided a comfortable ride, although the large 22-inch wheels sometimes resulted in a busy ride on imperfect roads. Fuel consumption was higher, with the standard model rated at 14.1 L/100 km city and 10.6 highway.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering seating for four and limited cargo capacity. The rear seats provided average legroom, but the cargo hold was one of the smallest in its class, with 544 litres of space and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. This made it less practical for carrying larger loads compared to competitors like the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul. Despite its easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's utility was limited, resembling a small hatchback more than a true crossover.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in terms of interior space and functionality. The King Ranch model featured power running boards for easy access, and the interior was spacious and comfortable. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the second-row captain's chairs provided first-class accommodations. The third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. The standard-length Expedition offered 546 litres of cargo space behind the third row, while the MAX version provided 971 litres. With the third row folded, the Expedition offered 1,672 litres of space, making it a versatile choice for families and those needing ample cargo capacity.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came with a good list of standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and proximity entry. Heated front seats and side mirrors were also standard. The Luxury and Ultimate trims added a sunroof and adaptive cruise control. The Ultimate trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and impressive lane-centring abilities on the highway.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, which was easy to use but sometimes slow to respond. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Other highlights included FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Expedition also offered a rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which was particularly useful for towing.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, scoring five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and earning a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, pedestrian detection was only available on the Ultimate trim, and the Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came with Ford Co-Pilot360 as standard, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition at the time of review.