2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, extending its length by 1.6 inches compared to the 2021 model. The updated front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and new character lines gave the Kona a more sophisticated appearance. The sharp body lines contrasted with lower body cladding, and new alloy wheel designs rounded out the exterior changes. Inside, the instrument panel and center console were separated to emphasize a more horizontal layout, creating a wider, more spacious look. New ambient lighting for the front cupholders and footwells added a touch of sophistication, while a rear USB port increased convenience for back-seat passengers.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler maintained its rugged, take-no-prisoners design aesthetic with its fourth-generation JL model. Available in both two-door and four-door configurations, the Wrangler allowed for door removal and offered an optional Dual-Door Group for better visibility. The windshield could fold down, and various top options were available for open-air exploring. The Wrangler featured wide fenders, Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The new limited-edition Reign purple paint color added a unique flair to the SUV.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The N Line and Limited trims came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also featured exclusive driving modes and performance enhancements like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with the 1.6-liter turbo engine and all-wheel drive (AWD), provided ample power and a sporty driving experience, with composed handling and a quiet cabin.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple engine options, including a standard V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Both engines could be paired with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 provided 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, while the Wrangler Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid combined two electric motors with a 17.3 kWh battery pack for 21 miles of all-electric range. Our test vehicle, the Wrangler Rubicon 392, delivered exhilarating performance with its V8 engine, full-time four-wheel drive, and Off-Road Plus mode. However, the brakes and steering were less impressive, with vague steering and inadequate braking power for the V8’s performance.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants, even with the optional sunroof. The N Line’s front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat passengers faced limited headroom and legroom, and the small rear door openings made entry and exit challenging. Cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler’s front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were only available on the 392 or with a cold-weather package. The rear seat could fit three passengers in the four-door models, but space was tight, and the small rear doors made access difficult. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and center console. Larger cargo space measured 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Wrangler offered various top options, including a hard top, soft top, and the Sky One-Touch power soft top, which provided different levels of open-air experience. The Wrangler also featured multiple charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona added more tech for 2022, starting with an 8-inch display on the base SE trim. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The Limited and Kona N trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and traffic information. An eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system was optional on the N Line and standard on the Limited and Kona N. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base 8-inch screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona also offered Digital Key, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims, and Hyundai Blue Link connected services.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen. The Uconnect system featured off-road pages with information about power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Wrangler also offered a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and four auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories. However, it lacked features like a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-following assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, Highway Drive Assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The Kona received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall crash protection and high ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for a "Marginal" rating for child-seat anchors.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler’s standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard on the 392 model and optional on other trims. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The IIHS gave the Wrangler mixed ratings, with some trims receiving a "Poor" rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Wrangler four stars for frontal crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance.