2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in the compact crossover segment with its sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior design. It was larger than the Ford EcoSport, yet it managed to maintain a compact footprint that was visually stimulating. The Kona's design featured tiered lighting, a tall grille, and chunky matte plastic trim, which made it appear taller and wider. The slim LED running lamps, headlights spaced to the car's edges, and optional fog lights added to its dynamic look. The Kona's exterior was further enhanced by two-tone alloy wheels, a gently sloping roof, and a ground-hugging stance, giving it a premium vibe from every angle. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes, making it less appealing compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V had a more conventional design that blended in with other compact crossovers. While it lacked distinctive styling, it offered a few unique details like the grille opening and chromed plastic features. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though most were shades of gray, black, or white, with limited options for more vibrant hues. Inside, the CR-V provided a modern look with angular seats and upscale materials like wood panels and chrome, especially in higher trims. Despite its understated exterior, the CR-V's interior was functional and comfortable, making it a practical choice for families.

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 the segment. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. However, only the Trend and Ultimate trims featured the turbo engine, while the standard 2.0-litre engine offered 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast steering, stable suspension, and minimal roll, making it comparable to luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Despite its performance, the Kona's fuel efficiency was average, with an estimated 8.6 L/100 km combined for the turbo AWD model.

The 2021 Honda CR-V offered a smooth and steady driving experience with its 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower. While not the fastest in its class, the CR-V provided reliable acceleration and predictable cornering. All trims featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritized efficiency over engagement. The CR-V's suspension setup, with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear, ensured decent handling and ride quality. The CR-V's fuel efficiency was competitive, and it offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with AWD standard on higher trims.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering seating for four and limited cargo capacity. With 544 litres of cargo space and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded, it lagged behind competitors like the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul. The Kona's controls were user-friendly, and its infotainment system was straightforward, but it fell short as a utility vehicle, feeling more like a small hatchback than a true crossover.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and functionality, comfortably seating five passengers and offering ample cargo capacity. With 1,065 litres of cargo volume with the rear seats folded, it could accommodate a significant amount of luggage. The CR-V's tailgate options, including a hands-free power tailgate on higher trims, added convenience. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional gear.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard features. 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 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Lower trims had varying audio setups, while the Touring trim offered a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. The CR-V provided multiple charging ports, including USB and 12-volt outlets, with a wireless phone charger available on the Touring trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It offered standard safety features like 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 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a suite of advanced safety features as standard across all trims. These features included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring, which was available on higher trims.