2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, offering a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that set it apart from its competitors. Despite being shorter than many of its rivals, the Kona's design cleverly masked its compact dimensions, creating a visually stimulating appearance with tiered lighting, a tall grille, and chunky matte plastic trim. The car's two-tone alloy wheels, gently sloping roof, and ground-hugging stance contributed to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the layout was acceptable and the screens high-resolution, the overall tactile quality fell short compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey maintained a familiar look with minor updates to modernize its appearance. The new grille, front bumper, and standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation added a touch of sophistication. The Odyssey's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, featuring perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and improved seating materials. The Touring trim's 19-inch alloy wheels and toned-down chrome enhanced its luxurious feel. Despite these updates, the Odyssey's brakes struggled under heavy use, and the lack of all-wheel drive was a disadvantage in snowy conditions.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a surprisingly robust performance for its class, particularly with its 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided strong acceleration and confidence in various driving conditions. The Kona's handling was impressive, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and wide tires offering steady grip. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined competitors. Fuel efficiency was average, with the 1.6T AWD model rated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power delivery, with variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. The Odyssey's handling was enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and well-managed body motions. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, and the lack of all-wheel drive was a drawback. The Odyssey's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 L/100 km combined, slightly higher than the Kona.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering seating for four and limited cargo capacity. With 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 easy to use, and the infotainment system was simple and fast, but its utility as a crossover was limited by its cramped interior.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality, with logical controls, ample storage, and comfortable seating. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout offered versatile seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with the seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, and the lack of a tuning knob for the stereo was a minor inconvenience.

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 heated front seats. Higher trims added a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Kona's lane-centring abilities were impressive, though the adaptive cruise control lacked stop-and-go functionality.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Touring trim included an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a rear-seat entertainment system. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks.

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 limited to the Ultimate trim, and the Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. However, the adaptive cruise control's braking could be uneven, and the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less effective than a vibration.