Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona underwent 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 appearance. Inside, the Kona's interior was redesigned for a more spacious look, with a separated instrument panel and centre console. Ambient lighting added a touch of elegance, while the introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements and sportier features, such as body-colour cladding and exclusive wheel designs. The Kona N further elevated its sporty appeal with wide fenders, a front lip spoiler, and N sport bucket seats.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, maintaining traditional SUV styling with a tall hood and broad shoulders. However, it distinguished itself with a black roof, model-specific hood, and a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer featured a new body-on-frame architecture, independent suspension, and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it offered high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim. The interior also featured unique elements like seat controls on the doors and a "Grand Wagoneer" dashboard inscription.

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 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. For those seeking more power, the N Line trim boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N took performance to the next level with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also featured exclusive driving modes and performance enhancements like launch control and high-performance brakes.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, on the other hand, was powered by a robust 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, generating 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, propelled the Grand Wagoneer from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with a Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also included a Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offering adjustable ride height for various driving conditions. Despite its impressive power, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely pace due to its size and handling characteristics.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided ample comfort for front-seat occupants, with generous headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat passengers faced challenges with limited headroom and legroom, exacerbated by the vehicle's compact dimensions. Cargo space was also 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.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered generous interior space, seating seven with standard captain's chairs or eight with an optional bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors. Cargo space was substantial, with 775 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 2,667 litres with all rear seats folded. The Grand Wagoneer also boasted a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone climate control, and ample storage bins.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an upgraded infotainment system, starting with an 8-inch display on the base trim. The N Line and Kona N offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and HD Radio. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona also included Hyundai BlueLink, providing connected services like remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and offered a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added dual 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured Uconnect 5, an Android-based system with OTA updates, although the screen response was noted to be slow.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona came equipped with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it did not achieve Top Safety Pick status due to "Marginal" child-seat anchor ratings.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist and night vision. The Grand Wagoneer also featured an Active Lane Management System, with plans for a hands-free version in the future. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.