2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, offering a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that belied its economy car status. Despite being shorter than its competitors, the Kona's design cleverly masked its compact dimensions with tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim that made it appear larger. The car's two-tone alloy wheels, sloping roof, and ground-hugging stance 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 fell short compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless appeal, blending rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its design, characterized by big wheels and flared fenders, contributed to its enduring success. The Grand Cherokee's lineup offered a range of trims from the affordable Laredo to the luxurious Summit, with performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim featured premium leather, genuine wood, and aluminum accents, creating a luxurious cabin. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits, indicating a need for a redesign.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona impressed with its 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, outperforming most competitors. The 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, offering a driving experience comparable to luxury brands. However, the ride was stiff, and the cabin was noisy. Fuel efficiency was average, with the 1.6T AWD model rated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 2,818 kilograms. An optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 provided 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology improved efficiency, but fuel consumption remained high. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it versatile in various environments.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 544 litres of cargo space and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Rear legroom was average, but the cramped cargo area limited its utility. Despite easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's interior felt more like a small hatchback than a true crossover.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit provided a more luxurious experience with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped interior. Front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though controls embedded in the infotainment system could be distracting. Rear legroom was snug, but large windows and a panoramic sunroof improved the sense of space. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,028 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,934 litres with the rear seats folded, though interior storage was limited.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard. Higher trims added features like a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Kona's lane-centring abilities impressed, though adaptive cruise control shut off below 10 km/h.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," it offered essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It came with standard forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, it lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models but lower ratings from the IIHS for small-overlap frontal impacts. The Summit trim included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and other safety features, but the Grand Cherokee's headlights rated poorly unless upgraded.