2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a funky small SUV that combined mild and wild styling. Its front featured a busy grille flanked by multiple lighting elements, creating a playful look aimed at younger buyers. The rear design was more subdued, with a standard crossover shape. Inside, the Kona maintained its fun attitude 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 controls, making it user-friendly despite its compact size.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models but with a fresher interior. The base trim had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. Quality materials were evident, with options for leather upholstery and water-resistant synthetic materials. The exterior featured high gray cladding and smooth styling, with adaptive LED headlights standard. The Outback's design emphasized practicality, offering a lifted wagon alternative to typical SUVs.

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 turbo engine had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Kona delivered ample power for city and highway driving, with agile handling and a fun driving experience. 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 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-litre flat-four with 182 horsepower, paired with a CVT. It struggled with performance when heavily loaded. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 horsepower, providing a significant improvement in power and refinement. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, with 22 cm of ground clearance and Subaru's proactive AWD system. Fuel efficiency for the turbo XT was slightly lower than the base engine, but the added power was worth the trade-off.

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

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered ample interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cabin provided excellent visibility and comfortable seating. Storage solutions were plentiful, with large map pockets and bottle holders. Some features, like push-button start and rear climate vents, were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's integrated roof rails and crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it lacked wireless smartphone connectivity. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with colourful and responsive software.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, it included standard features like SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EyeSight system provided adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The single large screen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup, despite some usability challenges.

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

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and standard airbags, with additional safety features available on higher trims. It was a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight system provided advanced driver assistance, though it relied solely on cameras.