2022 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, capturing the rugged spirit of its predecessor while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The Bronco Sport's design was characterized by tall fender wells and a streamlined body, minimizing unnecessary adornments. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats, with practical features like a rubberized cargo floor.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its sophistication with a longer body, revised grille, and sporty character lines. The Kona's exterior was further refined with new alloy wheel designs and contrasting lower body cladding. Inside, the Kona's instrument panel and centre console were separated to create a more spacious feel, complemented by ambient lighting. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, including body-colour cladding and exclusive wheel designs. The N Line featured black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals, while the Kona N boasted wide fenders, 19-inch alloy wheels, and sporty interior accents. The refreshed Kona's proportions and fit and finish were praised, with the N Line's sporty elements adding to its appeal.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model was equipped with a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It also featured a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, allowing it to tackle various terrains with ease. While the 1.5-litre engine was adequate for daily driving, the 2.0-litre engine in the Badlands trim was better suited to the Bronco Sport's adventurous character.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line trim introduced a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Kona N, the sportiest variant, boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N's performance was further enhanced by features like launch control, a variable exhaust system, and an electronic limited-slip differential. The Kona's handling was praised for its stability and agility, with the N Line's turbo engine providing ample power for city and highway driving.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features for outdoor enthusiasts. Its cargo space was engineered to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered a range of accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might have found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, offered a comfortable front-seat experience with ample headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats provided excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. Despite Hyundai's claims of improved rear-seat legroom, space remained tight, especially for three passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited to 544 litres with all seats up, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona, limiting its utility for larger loads.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle response for different conditions. Trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims offered a digital instrument panel.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display on the base trim. The N Line and Kona N offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an optional Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona's infotainment system was praised for its ease of use, and Hyundai BlueLink provided connected services like remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery. The Kona N Line and Kona N featured a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and navigation. The Bronco Sport's AWD and terrain management system contributed to its safety, and it received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though its child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating.