2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Hyundai Kona presented a playful and youthful design, appealing to its target audience. Its front featured a busy arrangement of lights and a distinctive grille, creating a funky appearance. The rear was more subdued, adopting a standard crossover shape. Inside, the Kona maintained its fun vibe with neat seat patterns and a straightforward layout. The infotainment system was conveniently placed high on the dash, complemented by intuitive climate controls, making the compact interior user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma, giving it a rugged look with a trapezoidal grille. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line that added unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the front's design but felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors. Inside, the Highlander featured an asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element, creating storage space and breaking monotony. The infotainment system was positioned for easy visibility, though the interior materials, especially in the Bronze Edition, left room for improvement.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 195 horsepower. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged version had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Kona delivered a lively driving experience, with agile handling and a comfortable ride. Fuel economy varied slightly depending on the engine and drivetrain, with the turbo engine achieving up to 28/32/30 mpg with FWD.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT. It featured standard FWD, with AWD available via an electric motor. The Highlander Hybrid accelerated to 60 mph in just over 8 seconds. Its hybrid powertrain provided a smooth transition from electric to gasoline power, though the engine's drone was noticeable under heavy acceleration. The ride was soft and comfortable, with minimal noise intrusion, making it a quiet midsize SUV.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered decent front-seat space, though rear legroom was limited. Its large rear door openings facilitated child seat installation, but cargo space was limited compared to competitors. The rear seats folded to expand storage, and small-item storage was generous.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid provided well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments. Storage options were plentiful, with various trays and bins. The second row was spacious, accommodating taller passengers comfortably, while the third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly and responsive.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an eight-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.3-inch option for top trims. The system was quick and logically organized, with physical buttons for ease of use. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, with navigation and premium audio available on higher trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned top safety ratings, with standard features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid also received high safety ratings, with standard adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. However, some systems required fine-tuning, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.