2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, offering a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that belied its compact dimensions. Hyundai's design team managed to create a visually stimulating vehicle with tiered lighting, a tall grille, and chunky matte plastic trim that made the Kona appear larger than it was. The car's design elements, such as slim LED running lamps and fender creases, contributed to its premium vibe, especially in the Trend and Ultimate models with larger wheels and additional trim. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes, making it less appealing compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave embraced its heritage with a big, shiny, and impressive design that resonated with its past while catering to modern SUV preferences. The Enclave was the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, offering a commanding presence with its unique grille pattern and polished 20-inch wheels, especially in the Avenir trim. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured upscale styling with organic forms, minimalist controls, and polished accents. The cabin was luxurious, with soft leather seats and a wood-and-leather steering wheel, although the wood was not genuine. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its driving experience, with a fussy electronic transmission shifter being the only notable exception.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. The 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, outperforming most competitors in its segment. This engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided strong acceleration and confidence in various driving conditions. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast steering and a tight suspension that allowed minimal roll. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined rivals. Fuel efficiency was average, with the Kona 1.6T AWD rated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided strong acceleration and a smooth driving experience, despite the Enclave's large size. The premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, available in the Avenir Technology Package, enhanced the ride quality, making it suitable for various driving environments. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 L/100 km combined for FWD models, with AWD models slightly higher at 11.8 L/100 km. The Enclave's large fuel tank allowed for extended travel on a single fill-up.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering seating for four and limited cargo capacity. With only 544 litres of cargo space and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded, it lagged behind competitors like the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul. The Kona's controls were user-friendly, and the infotainment system was simple and fast, but it failed to deliver the utility expected from a crossover, feeling more like a small hatchback.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space and comfort. It accommodated six to seven passengers comfortably, with a quiet cabin thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts. The Avenir trim offered luxurious features like power-adjustable seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated front seats, and a stylish centre console. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access and commendable room. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came well-equipped with standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and heated front seats. Higher trims like the Luxury and Ultimate added a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Kona's lane-centring abilities on the highway were impressive, although it lacked some advanced features found in more expensive models.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size and audio quality compared to competitors. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Avenir trim offered upgrades like a premium sound system, navigation, and a surround-view camera. However, the 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose system were less impressive than those in rival SUVs. A unique feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what's behind the Enclave.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a 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 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvement in safety systems, with many features restricted to higher trims. Standard safety equipment in Canada included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, added features like forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but a Marginal headlight performance rating from the IIHS prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.