2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Hyundai Kona stood out with its sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior, making it visually stimulating despite its small footprint. Hyundai's design team cleverly used tiered lighting, a tall grille, and chunky matte plastic trim to give the Kona a taller and wider appearance. The car's slim LED running lamps, headlights spaced to the car's edges, and optional fog lights created a premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's quality, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the buttons and screens were high-res and well-placed, the overall tactile quality fell short compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's conservative image with a design that added character while retaining traditional styling features. The XC90's boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille were softened with more chrome and distinctive LED headlights featuring "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90's design was a blend of traditional and modern elements, making it stand out in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona impressed with its 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), delivered strong acceleration and confidence-inspiring performance. The standard engine, a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, was less impressive but still competitive, thanks to its traditional 6-speed automatic transmission. The Kona's handling was tight and stable, with minimal body roll and excellent grip from its wide tires. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined competitors. Fuel economy was average, with the 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 engine added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. While the T8 provided impressive power, the small engine struggled to deliver flexibility compared to six-cylinder or V8 engines in competitor SUVs. The XC90 excelled in ride quality and quietness, with an optional air-suspension system enhancing comfort. However, the plug-in hybrid's efficiency was limited by the need to balance power and electric-only driving.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona's interior space was limited, with seating for four and average rear legroom. The cargo space was one of the smallest in its class, offering 19 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 46 cubic feet with them folded. Competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX offered significantly more cargo space. Despite its easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's cramped interior made it less practical as a utility vehicle.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, provided average headroom and legroom in all three rows. The third-row seats were tight for adults, and both second and third-row seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power moonroof and the XC90's upright roof profile. Up front, the Inscription trim offered luxurious features like 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage. However, storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin and few storage options on the console. Cargo space was also limited, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a good list of standard features, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base SE model. Higher trims added features like proximity entry, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Ultimate trim included a sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and adaptive cruise control. The Kona's infotainment system was simple and fast, making it easy to use.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which was user-friendly and minimalist. Standard features included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, but the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona scored five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and was rated a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Standard safety features included 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 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, offering smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.