2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 GMC Terrain

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 distinctive grille, appealing to younger buyers with its funky style. Inside, the Kona maintained its 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, offering a simple yet engaging experience for its compact size.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, and interior trim, with the AT4 trim level adding a bolder grille and black alloy wheels. The AT4 was marketed as a small off-road SUV, equipped with a steel skid plate for protection. The test model featured a black leather interior and numerous packages, raising its MSRP to $41,810. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain's interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations, with some features like the head-up display and pushbutton transmission controls lacking in execution.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter 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 for an additional cost. The Kona's engines provided sufficient power for city and highway driving, and its handling was surprisingly agile and engaging. Fuel economy varied depending on the engine and drivetrain, with the base engine and FWD achieving an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Terrain could tow up to 1,500 pounds. The Terrain's performance was adequate, with the turbocharging helping it feel lively at elevation, though it lacked the acceleration of the discontinued 2.0-liter engine. The AT4 model featured a four-wheel independent suspension and 17-inch wheels, providing a smooth ride on various surfaces. Fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg, with the test vehicle achieving 26.2 mpg during evaluation.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with a simple and accessible layout for controls and displays. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom, and the large rear door openings facilitated child seat installation. The Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, though small-item storage was generous and well-placed.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior with numerous comfort features, including power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, adding an upscale feel. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Terrain also included a large storage bin under the trunk floor and a foldable front passenger seat for long items.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available upgrades included SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless device charging, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a colorful and responsive interface, making it easy to access features and settings.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and GMC Connected Services. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was highly effective, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, a surround-view camera, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

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 adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of review.