2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, boasting a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that set it apart from its competitors. Despite being shorter than many of its rivals, Hyundai's design team managed to create a visually stimulating vehicle with tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim that gave the Kona a taller and wider appearance. The car's design was further enhanced by slim LED running lamps, optional fog lights, and fender creases that directed attention to the thin taillights. The Kona's two-tone alloy wheels, sloping roof, and ground-hugging stance contributed to its premium vibe, making it a visually appealing choice for those seeking a stylish economy car.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that gave it a more extroverted look compared to its predecessor. The new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a redesigned grille added to its visual appeal. The R-Line trim package further enhanced its sporty appearance with unique bumpers and side skirts. However, the fake chrome exhaust tips were seen as a bit cheesy. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas maintained its boxy, high-riding utility vehicle design, with a drag coefficient of 0.34. The Atlas's minimalist interior design was functional, but the material quality was below average, with cheap plastics and simulated wood and metal trim that lacked authenticity.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a surprisingly robust performance for its class, particularly with its 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, which delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine, available on the Trend and Ultimate trims, provided strong acceleration and confidence-inspiring performance, especially when merging onto highways. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission complemented the engine's eagerness, offering quick shifts and a satisfying turbo whoosh. The Kona's handling was impressive, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and minimal body roll. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined competitors. Fuel efficiency was average for the class, with the 1.6T AWD model achieving 9.0 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 on the highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The base engine's performance was adequate but underwhelming, with rough shifts and a truck-like handling feel. The Atlas's ride quality was poor, with noticeable impacts from road imperfections. Despite its off-road modes and ground clearance, the Atlas was better suited for pavement. The VR6 model offered a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms, while the four-cylinder model was limited to 900 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder model rated at 10.9 L/100 km combined and the VR6 at 12.9 L/100 km combined.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering seating for four and average rear legroom. However, its cargo space was limited, with only 544 litres available and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. This made it less practical compared to competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX, which offered more versatile cargo solutions. Despite its easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's cramped interior made it feel more like a small hatchback than a true crossover.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, as a three-row crossover, was designed for families, offering 2,741 litres of cargo space behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom, which was the worst in its class. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. However, folding and raising the seats was straightforward, and third-row access was easy. The Atlas featured a driver-focused layout with controls within easy reach, multiple USB ports, and up to 17 cupholders. Despite its tall driving position, forward visibility was limited, but parking sensors and optional active park assist helped mitigate this issue.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came well-equipped with standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and proximity entry. Heated front seats and side mirrors were also standard. Higher trims like the Luxury and Ultimate added a sunroof and adaptive cruise control. The Ultimate trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and impressive lane-centring abilities on the highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered Bluetooth and smartphone compatibility across all models. The base trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims received an 8-inch screen with satellite radio. The Digital Cockpit, available on higher trims, replaced analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, offering improved features. The base audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on the Execline trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, scoring five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and earning a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came standard with 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 Volkswagen Atlas also received top safety ratings, with a "good" rating in all IIHS crash tests. However, it had a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The Atlas came standard with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Atlas was set to receive more advanced driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.