2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 a balance between fun and functionality, offering neat patterns on the seats and a well-organized dashboard. The infotainment system was mounted high, and the physical climate controls were intuitive, making the compact interior feel user-friendly and engaging.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an elegant and elongated SUV, designed to accommodate third-row seating. Its exterior maintained classic Jeep elements like the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modern touches such as slimmer lighting and improved paint finish elevated its appearance. The interior was luxurious, featuring high-resolution screens, real wood, and premium leather, reminiscent of a Mercedes in style and quality. The Grand Cherokee L's spaciousness and attention to detail made it a standout in its class.

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 variant came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard on lower trims, with all-wheel drive available. The Kona's performance was characterized by agility and confidence, providing a fun driving experience despite its modest power figures. Fuel consumption ratings were competitive, with the turbo engine and AWD achieving 9.0/8.0/8.6 L/100 km city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 293 horsepower and a 5.7-litre V8 engine delivering 357 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The V6 engine struggled with the vehicle's weight, while the V8 provided a more robust performance. The Grand Cherokee L excelled in ride comfort and handling, with an optional air suspension offering five ride height settings. Fuel efficiency for the V6 was rated at 13.0/9.4/11.3 L/100 km city/highway/combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 16.7/10.9/14.1 L/100 km.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with controls and displays easily accessible. The rear seats offered good headroom but limited legroom, and the cargo space was smaller compared to competitors. However, the Kona's interior featured generous small-item storage spaces, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L boasted a spacious interior with ample room in all three rows. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Grand Cherokee L offered captain's chairs in the second row and a panoramic roof, enhancing passenger comfort. However, the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be on high, which could be noisy.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment system, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it lacked wireless smartphone connectivity. The system was easy to navigate, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered advanced technology features, including massage modes for front seats, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other driver aids were standard. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to connect two phones simultaneously.

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 and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.