2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a small SUV that combined a playful and unique exterior with a more subdued rear design. Its front featured a busy array of lighting elements, including a grille flanked by lights, additional lights above, and fog lights on certain trims. This design appealed to younger buyers seeking a fun and distinctive vehicle. Inside, the Kona maintained its playful vibe with neat seat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, while higher trims offered leather upgrades. 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 BMW X5 was a luxury SUV that epitomized BMW's signature design language. Its exterior, with the iconic kidney grille and adaptive LED headlights, was unmistakably BMW, though it risked blending in with other models from the brand. The X5's upscale appearance was enhanced by matte aluminum and high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. Inside, the X5's interior was crafted with high-quality materials, including leather and soft-touch surfaces, though it shared many design elements with other BMW vehicles. The M Sport models featured unique styling cues, such as an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim strips, adding a sporty touch to the luxurious cabin.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivered 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on lower trims, with all-wheel drive available, while higher trims came with AWD as standard. Although neither engine was particularly powerful, they provided sufficient power for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly agile, offering a fun and engaging driving experience. Fuel consumption ratings varied, with the base engine achieving 8.6/7.0/7.9 L/100 km city/highway/combined in FWD, and the turbo engine with AWD achieving 9.0/8.0/8.6 L/100 km.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 horsepower, increasing to 617 with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling dynamics were less engaging than expected, with issues at both low and high speeds. Fuel efficiency varied, with the xDrive45e achieving 11.5 L/100 km combined on gasoline and 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres with electric power.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls and displays easily accessible. However, the front seats lacked sufficient support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good headroom but limited legroom, and large rear-facing car seats could pose challenges for taller front passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited, ranking near the bottom of its segment, though small-item storage was generous and well-placed.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. Front seats were comfortable for short trips but became hard on longer journeys. Rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, and an optional third row was available. The X5's split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button facilitated loading and unloading cargo. Without the third row, the cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. Moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was less convenient due to narrow door openings.

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, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a colourful and responsive interface. Wireless smartphone connectivity was a significant advantage, though the larger touchscreen was not compatible with it.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, and more. However, Apple CarPlay occasionally took over music operations unexpectedly. Additional options included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a premium audio system, and a panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was ultimately intuitive.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision avoidance assist, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and cruise control. AWD models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional upgrades included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight or rain. The X5 received mostly Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.