2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a funky small SUV that combined mild and wild styling elements. Its front end featured a busy array of lighting, including a grille flanked by lights, additional lights above, and fog lights on some trims. This playful design appealed to younger buyers. The rear, however, was more subdued, adopting a standard crossover shape. Inside, the Kona maintained its fun attitude with neat seat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with leather available on higher trims. The interior was well-organized, featuring a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and intuitive physical climate controls, making it user-friendly despite its compact size.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that embodied Audi's design language while maintaining its unique character. It had an expressive front with LED headlights and a prominent Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body showcased crisp character lines, and the rear featured bold taillights, contributing to its classy, modern appearance. The Q5 PHEV variant included S-Line trim enhancements and standard 19-inch wheels, with optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 was equally classy, with a high level of material selection, including real wood and metal. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically placed for driver visibility, and the second row offered standard leather seating, ensuring a luxurious experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivered 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,400. While neither engine was particularly powerful, they provided sufficient power for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly confident, offering agility and engagement, with a balance of comfort and composure on curvy roads. Fuel economy varied, with the base engine and FWD achieving 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, while the turbo engine with AWD delivered 26/29/27 mpg.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV enhanced the driving experience with a combined output of 362 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque, thanks to a 14.1-kWh battery and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This setup allowed for impressive acceleration, reaching 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds, and achieved 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The Q5 PHEV's battery could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. It featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive, offering various driving modes for efficiency and performance. The Q5's handling was sporty yet comfortable, with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with controls 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 large rear-facing car seats could pose challenges for taller front passengers. Cargo space was limited, with the Kona ranking low in its segment, though small-item storage was generous and well-placed.

The 2021 Audi Q5 excelled in interior space, offering 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 53.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, accommodating two adults comfortably. The front seats were highly adjustable, heated, and ventilated on the Prestige trim. The interior featured smartly laid-out storage options, including cupholders and a center-console storage bin, enhancing functionality.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Optional features included SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless device charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a simple, colorful interface that made accessing features easy.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV boasted Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster with customizable views. The Prestige Package included navigation, which worked with the hybrid system to optimize fuel consumption. The Integrated Toll Module was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included, enhancing connectivity.

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, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 gasoline model received top ratings except for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, Audi Pre Sense, electronic stability control, and more. Available driver-assistance features included adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, and a top-view camera system.