2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 arrangement of lights and a grille that appealed to younger buyers. Inside, the Kona maintained a fun attitude with neat seat patterns and a well-organized layout. The interior was intuitive, with a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and physical climate controls, making it user-friendly despite its compact size.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee boasted a timeless design that balanced rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its exterior was marked by big wheels and flared fenders, contributing to its enduring appeal. The Grand Cherokee's interior, especially in the Summit trim, was luxurious with premium leather, genuine wood, and a striking colour scheme. However, the interior design showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits, indicating a need for a redesign.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 195 horsepower. 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, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The Kona's engines provided sufficient power for city and highway driving, and its handling was agile and engaging. Fuel consumption ratings varied, with the turbo engine and AWD achieving 9.0/8.0/8.6 L/100 km city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. An optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine offered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 L/100 km in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it versatile for both city and off-road driving.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls easily accessible to both front passengers. The rear seats offered good headroom but limited legroom, and the cargo space was smaller compared to competitors. However, the Kona featured generous small-item storage spaces, including large door pockets and a spacious centre console.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured supportive front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. Interior storage was adequate, though the optional rear-seat entertainment system reduced centre console space. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,028 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,934 litres with the rear seats folded. Practical features included a power liftgate and robust grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Available upgrades included SiriusXM radio, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive software and easy navigation.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system provided a nearly flawless user experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. The Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Despite its age, the Grand Cherokee's voice recognition technology worked well, and its tech offerings were complemented by advanced driving assistance systems.

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, and automatic emergency braking. Optional upgrades included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its IIHS ratings were less favourable, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered parking assistance systems and a backup camera.