2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal. It showcased traditional Jeep styling cues like a 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, presenting a balanced appearance suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings. This versatility made it attractive to a diverse range of buyers. Prices for the Grand Cherokee started at $32,150 for the Laredo and went up to $52,495 for the Summit, with high-performance versions like the SRT and Trackhawk priced at $68,895 and $87,400, respectively. The tested Limited X model, priced at $53,275, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, a ventilated hood design, a sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look. However, the interior, especially in models priced over $50,000, was criticized for its overuse of hard plastic, detracting from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, was a funky small SUV with a design that blended mild and wild elements. The front featured a busy look with multiple lighting elements, while the rear had a more subdued, standard crossover shape. The interior mirrored this playful yet practical attitude, with neat patterns on the seats and a well-organized layout. The base model came with standard cloth upholstery, while higher trims offered leather options. The infotainment system was mounted high on the dash, with physical climate controls, making it user-friendly. The Kona's design targeted younger buyers, offering a unique and fun aesthetic without being overly whimsical.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing satisfying acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving. However, the test vehicle achieved only 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available: a 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8, a 475-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT, and a 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk, which could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Grand Cherokee offered various 4WD systems, with the Limited X featuring the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system. While it excelled off-road, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, attempting to balance daily driving and off-roading needs.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo engine came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,400. The Kona's engines provided ample power for city and highway driving, though the dual-clutch transmission was less smooth at low speeds. The Kona handled confidently, offering a fun and engaging driving experience with enough comfort for curvy roads. Fuel economy varied by configuration, with the base engine and FWD achieving 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, and the turbo engine with AWD delivering 26/29/27 mpg.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 36.3 cubic feet behind the backseat, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded. The front seats were heated and 8-way power-adjustable, though ventilated seats were not available in the Limited X trim. The thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel was comfortable, and the interior had decent storage options. Rear passengers, including children, found the backseat comfortable, with adequate legroom and rear air conditioning vents. However, the interior's hard plastic detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with controls and displays easily accessible. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked sufficient support for spirited driving. The backseat offered good headroom but limited legroom, making it less comfortable for taller passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited, only surpassing the Mazda CX-3 in its segment. However, the rear seats could fold to expand the cargo area, and small-item storage spaces were generous and conveniently located.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, supporting up to eight devices. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system, though a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system was available in higher trims. Unique to Jeep's Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing information for off-roading excursions. The system was user-friendly, though the Grand Cherokee's bouncy ride could make it difficult to select virtual buttons accurately.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came standard with an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Available tech included SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless device charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Hyundai's infotainment software was simple, colorful, and responsive, making it easy to navigate and use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were significant benefits, especially for lower trims, providing navigation, streaming audio, and voice controls.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I, standard on all trims, included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added low-speed forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Advanced ProTech II included full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for driver protection from the IIHS.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with "Good" scores in all crash test areas, and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention warning system, and rear occupant alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and parking sensors.