2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its sophistication with a longer body, revised grille, and sporty character lines. The updated LED lighting and new alloy wheel designs contributed to its modern look. Inside, the Kona's interior was redesigned for a more spacious feel, with ambient lighting adding 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 interior features, enhancing the vehicle's sporty appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. The midsize SUV's elegant exterior was complemented by a matte Brunswick Green paint job. Inside, the GV80 featured quilted leather seats, a split dash with metal and matte wood trim, and a centre console with three large dials. The interior was spacious and luxurious, with a few minor quibbles about the infotainment screen's placement. Overall, the GV80 offered a refined and comfortable environment.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 195 horsepower. The Kona N featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N Line, with its 1.6-litre turbo engine and AWD, provided adequate power and a sporty driving experience, despite minor turbo lag and clunkiness in lower gears. The Kona's handling was composed, with a low centre of gravity contributing to its surefootedness.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with AWD and offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 300 horsepower and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 with 375 horsepower. The GV80 excelled at highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts, and an electronically controlled suspension that adjusted to road conditions. However, it was not as quick or nimble as some competitors, taking about five and a half seconds to reach 100 km/h. The GV80's strength lay in its smooth and quiet highway performance.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided ample front-seat comfort with good headroom and legroom. However, rear-seat occupants faced limited space, with small door openings and compromised head- and legroom. Cargo space was tight at 544 litres, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a luxurious interior with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Ergo driver's seat provided fatigue-reducing features, and the Nappa leather seats were sumptuous. The GV80 had a large cargo space of 988 litres, expanding to 2,378 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing capacity was a robust 2,720 kilograms.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an 8-inch display with Bluetooth connectivity, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The Kona N Line offered an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. Hyundai BlueLink provided connected services for three years.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The infotainment system had a learning curve, with a dial for navigation and handwriting detection. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though not wireless. The GV80 featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the car to park itself without the driver inside.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though it did not achieve Top Safety Pick status due to its child-seat anchor rating.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. Highway Drive Assist offered hands-on/eyes-up driving aid. The GV80 received five stars from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with some areas rated as "Acceptable."