2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, offering a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that belied its status as a mass-market economy car. Despite being shorter than its competitors, the Kona's design was visually stimulating, with tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim that made it appear taller and wider. The car's exterior was further enhanced by slim LED running lamps, optional fog lights, and fender creases that directed attention to the thin taillights. The Kona's two-tone alloy wheels, sloping roof, and ground-hugging stance contributed to its premium vibe, making it a visually appealing choice in its class.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX retained a more traditional SUV look, with a design that had evolved over a decade. The GX featured the Lexus trademark spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, giving it a tough, aggressive appearance. While the exterior styling was kept up to date, the interior felt dated, with wood trim that resembled molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite these shortcomings, the GX's exterior remained distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers looking for a classic design.

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 strong acceleration and confidence in various driving conditions. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and wide tires offering steady grip. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined competitors. Fuel efficiency was average, with the Kona 1.6T AWD rated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway.

The 2021 Lexus GX, on the other hand, featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's weight made higher-speed maneuvers challenging. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen centre differential, low-range 4WD, and features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX's towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, but its on-road performance lagged behind more modern SUVs.

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 fell short compared to competitors. The Kona's controls were user-friendly, and the infotainment system was simple and fast, but its utility was limited, making it more akin to a small hatchback than a true crossover.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior reflected its age, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent visibility, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. The GX offered three rows of seating for seven, but the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded. The GX's interior was functional but lacked the spaciousness and modernity of newer SUVs.

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 offered a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Kona's technology package was impressive for its class, providing a good balance of features and usability.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, the GX included analog controls for most functions, offering a straightforward interface. The 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was a highlight, but overall, the GX's tech offerings were underwhelming for a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, with five out of five stars from the NHTSA and a 2020 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 2021 Lexus GX had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included the Lexus Safety System+ as standard, featuring a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX missed some safety features found in other Lexus models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.