2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its overall sophistication. The model was 4 centimetres longer than its predecessor, featuring a revised grille, updated front and rear fascias, and enhanced LED lighting. The sporty new character lines, contrasted by lower body cladding, gave the Kona a more refined appearance. Inside, the instrument panel and centre console were separated to create a more horizontal layout, providing a spacious look. The addition of ambient lighting in the front cupholders and footwells added a touch of elegance. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and exclusive wheel designs, enhancing the vehicle's athletic appeal. The Kona N further elevated the sportiness with features like wide fenders, a front lip spoiler, and N sport bucket seats.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued the mature styling introduced in the previous year, maintaining its grownup look without new flourishes. The exterior design shared features with other Nissan models, such as the V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights. The floating roof and slightly bulging liftgate added to its sleek appearance. Inside, the Rogue featured a layered dash with contrasting colours and surfaces, creating a sophisticated look. The centre console was notable for its electronic gear selector lever, which saved space and allowed for additional storage. The 9-inch centre infotainment display was positioned for easy visibility, and the Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort. The Rogue's fit and finish were exemplary, with high-quality materials, especially in the Platinum model.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line trim provided a more spirited drive with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N took performance to another level with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N included exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and N Track Sense Shift, along with performance enhancements such as launch control and high-performance brakes. The Kona's handling was composed, with a low centre of gravity contributing to its stability.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue introduced a new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine offered an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque compared to the previous model. The VC-Turbo technology allowed for variable compression, optimizing power and efficiency. The Rogue's CVT had wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension provided a smooth ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering offered good feel. The Rogue's fuel efficiency was impressive, with estimates of 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway. The Rogue's performance was lively, making it a capable and efficient choice.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, offered ample front-seat comfort with generous headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats provided excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space was tight, 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, limiting its utility for larger loads.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage compartments, including bottle holders, cupholders, and a centre console bin. Rear-seat passengers had access to storage in the doors and seatbacks, along with USB ports for device charging. The Rogue's cargo area offered 1,033 litres of space, expanding to 2,098 litres with the second row folded flat. The Rogue's interior was designed for practicality and convenience, making it a versatile choice for families and commuters.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display on the base trim, offering Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system. The N Line and Kona N trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an optional 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, and Hyundai BlueLink provided connected services for added convenience.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue carried over the technology upgrades from the previous year, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, integrated with the navigation system, offered advanced driver-assist features, enhancing safety and convenience. The Rogue's Intelligent Key allowed for easy access to the vehicle, adding to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered essential safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional technologies included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crashworthiness tests. However, the child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing the Kona from achieving Top Safety Pick status.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue had ten airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist offered advanced driver-assist capabilities, enhancing safety in various driving conditions. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.