2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis's first SUV, presented a fresh design opportunity, unburdened by a long legacy of design language. It successfully integrated the design flair of the G80 sedan into its SUV form, featuring a long hood, short front overhang, and a distinctive grille with a diamond mesh and the Genesis flying “G” badge. The Quad Lamp LED headlight array and the elegant two-box design contributed to its signature look. The GV80's interior was a testament to luxury, with a sleek dashboard, minimal controls, and authentic materials like real wood and leather, creating a spacious and sophisticated environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Kona offered a funky and playful design, appealing to younger buyers. Its exterior featured a busy front with multiple lighting elements, while the rear maintained a more standard crossover shape. Inside, the Kona balanced uniqueness with simplicity, offering neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with leather available on higher trims. The well-organized interior included an infotainment system touchscreen and physical climate controls, providing an intuitive and user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. All models in Canada came with standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's 3.5T models featured electronically controlled suspension with road preview and an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing its performance in various conditions. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was rated at 11.3 L/100 km city, 9.5 highway, and 10.5 combined, while the 3.5T was rated at 12.9 L/100 km city, 10.4 highway, and 11.8 combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided two powertrain options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard on lower trims, with all-wheel drive available. The Kona's fuel consumption ratings were 8.6/7.0/7.9 L/100 km city/highway/combined for FWD with the base engine, and 9.0/8.0/8.6 L/100 km for AWD with the turbo engine.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a centre console and stack that combined technology, design, and ergonomics. It included a rotary gear selector, a circular multimedia controller, and capacitive touch buttons for HVAC controls. The GV80 offered a comfortable second row with power seats and window shades, and a third row was standard on 3.5T models, increasing passenger capacity to seven. The third-row seats had a power-fold function and were split 50/50.

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 support for spirited driving. The rear seats offered good headroom but limited legroom, and the large rear door openings facilitated loading and unloading. The Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, but small-item storage was generous and conveniently located.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 boasted a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen with user-configurable split-screen displays, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It featured cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and a digital key function for Android users. The GV80 came with five years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services, a head-up display, and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster. The standard audio system included nine speakers, with an optional Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available tech included SiriusXM radio, navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen system. The infotainment software was simple, colourful, and responsive, providing easy navigation and access to features.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured 10 airbags, vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, and a suite of driver assistance and safety features, including blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision avoidance assist, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and cruise control. Optional upgrades included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors.