2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2020 Hyundai Kona presented a striking exterior design that stood out among its competitors. It was larger than the Ford EcoSport and boasted a sleek, sporty appearance that belied its economy car status. The Kona's design cleverly masked its compact dimensions, with tiered lighting and a tall grille that made it appear more substantial. The use of black trim and two-tone wheels added to its premium vibe, although the interior didn't quite match the exterior's flair, featuring hard plastics and a less refined finish compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid maintained a familiar yet sharp design, with a streamlined profile and distinctive grille. Despite its sporty F Sport styling, the NX's design had become somewhat dated. The interior offered comfort with features like power-adjustable seats and optional leather upholstery, but the material quality felt more mainstream than luxury. The NX's design aimed for a sporty feel, with a high dashboard and door sides, but rear visibility was compromised by thick pillars.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona impressed with its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided strong acceleration and confidence in various driving conditions, aided by a responsive 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Kona's handling was agile, with a tight suspension and direct steering, making it enjoyable on twisty roads. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined competitors. Fuel economy was average, with the turbo AWD model achieving 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid, with its 2.5-liter engine and electric motor, produced a total of 194 horsepower. While the F Sport styling suggested sportiness, the NX Hybrid prioritized fuel efficiency over performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. The hybrid system struggled with smooth power delivery, but the sport-tuned suspension improved handling. Despite this, the steering lacked feedback, and the NX felt less refined than newer models. Drive modes offered minimal impact on performance, with Eco mode further reducing acceleration.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered seating for four, with average rear legroom and a scalloped roof for headroom. However, its cargo space was limited, with only 19 cubic feet available, expanding to 46 with seats folded. This made it less practical compared to rivals like the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul, which offered more versatile cargo solutions. The Kona's controls were user-friendly, but its utility was compromised by its compact size.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid had limited front and rear headroom, with the least rear legroom in its class. The front seats were comfortable, with power adjustments and available heating and ventilation. The sloping roofline and thick pillars hindered rear visibility, but the dashboard layout was functional. Cargo space was also limited, with 16.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded. The NX offered power-folding seats and a power liftgate, but these were not standard.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all but the base model. Higher trims added features like wireless charging, an Infinity stereo, and Blue Link connectivity. The Ultimate trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and adaptive cruise control. The infotainment system was straightforward, but the lack of advanced driver assistance features on lower trims was a drawback.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, with an 8-inch display and a difficult-to-use Remote Touch Interface touchpad. While it supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system felt outdated, with poor graphics and menu design. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system available on higher trims. The base audio system lacked the quality expected from a luxury brand.

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

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, but a 360-degree camera system was missing.