2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, offering a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that belied its economy car pricing. Its design cleverly utilized its compact dimensions to create a visually stimulating appearance, with tiered lighting and a tall grille that made it appear larger than it was. The Kona's exterior was further enhanced by features like slim LED running lamps, two-tone alloy wheels, and a gently sloping roof, giving it a premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the layout was functional and the screens high-resolution, the overall tactile quality fell short compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura MDX presented a more understated yet elegant design. Its Jewel Eye LED headlights added a touch of sophistication to the front, while the trapezoidal grille with the Acura logo anchored its expressive face. The MDX's sleek and low-slung profile, combined with flawless paint and chrome, contributed to its refined appearance. Inside, the MDX offered a modern and simple design, with a centre stack featuring twin infotainment screens and high-quality materials that provided a solid and well-built feel. The MDX's interior was devoid of excessive padding and stitching, focusing instead on a clean and functional layout.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. Its 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, outperforming most competitors in its segment. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided quick and responsive shifts, enhancing the driving experience. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and minimal body roll. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined rivals. Fuel efficiency was average for its class, with the 1.6T AWD model achieving 9.0 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 on the highway.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options: a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, and a Sport Hybrid variant with a combined output of 321 horsepower. The MDX's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system provided excellent straight-line performance and nimble handling, especially in corners. The torque-vectoring technology enhanced the driving experience by directing power to the outside wheel during cornering, ensuring smooth and confident manoeuvres. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension absorbed road imperfections, making it a comfortable choice for long drives.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering limited cargo capacity with 544 litres behind the rear seats and 1,296 litres with them folded. While seating for four was adequate, the Kona's cramped interior made it less practical for transporting larger items. Despite its user-friendly controls and infotainment system, the Kona's utility was compromised by its compact dimensions, making it more akin to a small hatchback than a true crossover.

The 2020 Acura MDX excelled in interior space and functionality, with sliding and reclining second-row seats for easy access to the third row. It offered 447 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,229 litres with the seats folded, and a generous 2,574 litres with the second row down. The MDX's interior featured numerous storage solutions, including a flexible centre console, door panel pockets, and a tri-zone climate control system. It provided the practicality of a minivan without the stigma, making it an ideal choice for families.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came well-equipped with standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and heated front seats. Higher trims added a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Kona's lane-centring abilities impressed, although it lacked some advanced features found in more expensive models.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered a comprehensive suite of technology features across its trim levels. The base model included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation, parking sensors, and a premium audio system. The A-Spec and Elite Packages further enhanced the MDX with features like LED fog lights, heated and ventilated seats, and a surround-view camera. The MDX's tech offerings were extensive, catering to those seeking a well-equipped luxury SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came standard with forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, it lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags, and pedestrian detection was only available on the Ultimate trim.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured the AcuraWatch suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX's advanced body structure and comprehensive airbag system contributed to its high safety ratings, with the IIHS awarding it "good" ratings in all crash-test categories and the NHTSA giving it a five-star overall rating.