2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a small SUV that embraced a funky and playful design, appealing to younger buyers. Its front end featured a busy array of lighting elements, including a grille flanked by lights, additional lights above, and fog lights on some trims. This playful exterior contrasted with a more subdued rear design, which adopted 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 physical climate controls, making it user-friendly despite its compact size.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality and practicality over flashy design. The Forester Wilderness model, with its white paint and dark grey interior, featured water-repellant StarTex simulated leather and a rugged exterior with protective cladding and a matte-black hood decal. Inside, the Forester emphasized function with a combination of hard plastic and soft surfaces, creating a cabin that felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was intuitive, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. Overall, the Forester's design focused on utility, with the Wilderness trim adding rugged elements that were not universally appealing.

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. An 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 standard AWD. The Kona's engines provided sufficient power for city and highway driving, though the dual-clutch transmission was less smooth at low speeds. The Kona handled confidently, offering a balance of agility and comfort, with fuel consumption ratings of 8.6/7.0/7.9 L/100 km for FWD and 9.2/7.8/8.6 L/100 km for AWD with the base engine.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The Wilderness model featured a CVT design that increased initial torque supply by 25% and doubled the towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT simulated an automatic transmission with eight programmed ratios, and the Wilderness trim included SI-Drive for a sportier response. Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system enhanced off-road capability, and the re-tuned suspension improved ride and handling. The Forester excelled in various environments, though it lacked engine power and experienced wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with a sunroof option that didn't significantly reduce headroom. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers had 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 compared to competitors, though the rear seats folded to expand the area. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious centre console.

The 2022 Subaru Forester excelled in functionality, offering easy entry and exit with tall seating hip points. The Wilderness model featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery and all-weather floor mats, making it suitable for outdoor adventures. The Forester's roof rails accommodated a three-person roof tent, and comfort levels were high in both front and back seats. Storage space was decent, with various compartments for small items. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The Forester's cargo area was usefully shaped, and the Wilderness trim included a full-size spare tire.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available tech included SiriusXM radio, navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment software was simple, colourful, and responsive, with wireless smartphone connectivity available on lower trims.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Wilderness model included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The test vehicle's audio system produced clear sound, though the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

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 grades added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with optional upgrades like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims included DriverFocus facial recognition technology. The Forester received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.