2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning seamlessly with Volvo's current lineup. Signature design elements like the "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille contributed to its familial look. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these subtle distinctions, the Recharge maintained a low-key appearance, appealing to those who preferred understated electric vehicles. The interior boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and premium cabin experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona underwent a significant makeover, extending its length by 4 centimetres and featuring a revised grille, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty character lines. The new body lines contrasted with lower body cladding, while new alloy wheel designs completed the exterior updates. Inside, the instrument panel and centre console were separated, creating a more horizontal layout that enhanced the sense of space. Ambient lighting added sophistication to the front cupholders and footwells. The introduction of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, including body-colour cladding and rocker panels, and exclusive interior features like black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals. The Kona N further elevated the sportiness with wide fenders, a front lip spoiler, and N sport bucket seats, offering a dynamic driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant delivered 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona provided a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission, producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The N Line trim offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivering 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Kona N, introduced in 2022, boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT, generating 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. The Kona N featured exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and N Track Sense Shift, along with performance enhancements such as launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. The Kona N Line, with its turbocharged engine and AWD, provided ample power and agility, making it enjoyable to drive in various settings. Despite minor turbo lag, the DCT enhanced the Kona's sportiness, while its low ride height and centre of gravity contributed to composed handling.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in its Recharge and gasoline variants, offered similar passenger and cargo space, though it was not particularly spacious compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E. It had less legroom and headroom, and a smaller cargo area. The Recharge's frunk was also limited in size due to powertrain components. However, the gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated for the lack of space with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, and a single USB-C port was standard, though rear passengers lacked charging options.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, provided a comfortable experience for front-seat occupants, with ample headroom and legroom. The front seats, especially in the N Line, offered good support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges, with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. Hyundai claimed improved rear-seat legroom for 2022, but it remained tight, especially with the front seat adjusted for taller drivers. Cargo space was also limited, with 544 litres available with all seats up, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona, further limiting its utility.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. This system allowed Android phone users to sync their accounts for customization. It also included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard setup comprised a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model introduced OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. It lacked a start button, relying on a key fob for operation. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was anticipated for the XC40 in future updates.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received tech upgrades, starting with an 8-inch display on the base Essential trim, featuring a six-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity. The Preferred trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Hyundai BlueLink, standard on the N Line. The Kona N and N Line with the Ultimate Package offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy smartphone connectivity. Hyundai BlueLink provided connected services like remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The electric Recharge model was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crashworthiness tests. Its forward collision-avoidance system received a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle protection and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian protection. However, the child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing the Kona from achieving Top Safety Pick status.