2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Subaru Outback

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, making it visually stimulating from every angle. The Kona featured tiered lighting, a tall grille, and chunky matte plastic trim that gave it a taller and wider appearance. The design included slim LED running lamps, headlights spaced to the car's edges, and optional fog lights, creating a 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 was below competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models. The interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, with an 11.6-inch portrait display standard on Premium and above trims, offering a bright and sharp interface. Quality was evident in the materials, with Limited and Premier trims featuring two-tone leather upholstery. The Outback's exterior was smooth and plain, with gray cladding for protection and chrome flourishes for style. It was a lifted wagon, offering a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs, with adaptive LED headlights and a new brown paint option for 2021.

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. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. However, only the Trend and Ultimate trims featured the turbo engine, while the standard 2.0-litre engine offered 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. The Kona's handling was impressive, with fast steering and a tight suspension, providing a delightful driving experience. Fuel efficiency was average for the class, with the 1.6T AWD estimated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-litre engine struggled with its 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, making it slow and noisy under load. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant improvement in performance. The Outback excelled as a long-distance cruiser, with a comfortable ride and legendary AWD system. The turbo XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, but the added power was worth the trade-off. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on comfort and capability, especially off-road.

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 cargo hold was one of the smallest in its class. Despite easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's utility was limited, resembling a small hatchback more than a true crossover.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered ample interior space, with 920 litres of cargo space and 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The cargo area was wide and flat, with no intrusive wheel arches. Headroom and legroom were generous, and outward visibility was excellent. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets and bottle holders. The Outback's best feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, providing easy installation for roof racks.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came with a good list of standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors. 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.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, but it offered modern tech underneath. The single large screen was more cohesive and useful than the base model's dual-screen setup. Subaru EyeSight was standard, including adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system offered good semi-automated control but relied solely on cameras, limiting its functionality compared to systems with radar.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick. It scored top ratings in crash tests and for forward emergency braking. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist and a driver attention monitor, with pedestrian detection available on the Ultimate trim.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. It was a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking on higher trims.