2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL Platinum trims, offered a straightforward design with a single engine and transmission choice, and options for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The SL Platinum trim, priced at an estimated $37,998 CAD, featured a bold V-Motion grille and 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, giving it an appealing look despite its age. However, the interior design showed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The padded centre console sides were a thoughtful touch for driver comfort.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Kona presented a visually stimulating exterior, larger than the Ford EcoSport, with a sleek and sporty design. Its tiered lighting, tall grille, and matte plastic trim made it appear taller and wider. The Kona's design included slim LED running lamps, fender creases, and two-tone alloy wheels, giving it a premium vibe. However, the interior couldn't match the exterior's quality, with hard plastics and lacklustre finishes. The Kona Ultimate offered bright colour packs for a more vibrant interior, but overall, it fell short in tactile quality compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Weighing 1,664 kilograms, the Rogue's powertrain was adequate but not sporty, even with a Sport driving mode. The CVT made the most of the available power, but acceleration and passing left much to be desired. Fuel efficiency was also a concern, with the Rogue achieving 9.4 L/100 km during testing, higher than the expected 8.2 L/100 km. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but the driving experience was not particularly enjoyable due to lifeless steering and CVT drone.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, offered a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). This powertrain provided strong acceleration and confidence in merging and passing. The Kona's DCT was responsive, and the turbocharged engine delivered satisfying performance. The Kona's handling was impressive, with fast steering and a tight suspension, offering a driving experience comparable to luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the Kona averaging 8.1 L/100 km during testing, close to the estimated 8.6 L/100 km combined.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior space was a mixed bag. While the seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design, they were somewhat undersized, and finding a comfortable driving position was challenging for taller individuals. The rear seats, however, offered excellent thigh support, legroom, and a panoramic view, making them more comfortable for passengers. The Rogue excelled in cargo space, providing 1,112 litres behind the rear seats, along with underfloor storage and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, in contrast, struggled with interior space. While seating for four was adequate, the rear legroom was average, and the cargo space was limited to 544 litres, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX offered significantly more cargo space. The Kona's controls and infotainment system were user-friendly, but its utility as a crossover was limited by its cramped interior, making it more akin to a small hatchback.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue offered a range of infotainment features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims added navigation, a Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services with remote access and safety features. However, the 7-inch touchscreen interface was outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice recognition, detracting from the overall tech experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard. Higher trims added features like a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Kona's lane-centring abilities were impressive, although the adaptive cruise control lacked stop-and-go functionality. Overall, the Kona's tech offerings were solid, with a user-friendly interface and good standard features.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 suite, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional options included ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centring. However, the Rogue's safety ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and issues with frontal-impact protection.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by IIHS. It offered standard forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. The Kona's safety features were comprehensive, although pedestrian detection was limited to the Ultimate trim and received a lower score from IIHS.