2022 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the iconic Bronco, capturing some of the rugged styling cues of its larger counterpart. It featured a modern retro design that was reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with a short front overhang for optimal approach angles and a rear overhang that was almost as effective. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for trail driving, minimizing unnecessary adornments that could catch on obstructions. The Bronco Sport's front and rear design elements echoed the larger Bronco, with bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, and a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. The SUV's wheels varied by model, with options ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels with all-terrain tires on the First Edition. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique shape for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. Interior trim levels varied, offering a step-up from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, with additional features like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, extending its length by 1.6 inches and featuring revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty new character lines. The sharp body lines were complemented by lower body cladding, and new alloy wheel designs completed the exterior updates. Inside, the Kona's instrument panel and center console were separated to emphasize a more horizontal layout, creating a wider, more spacious look. New ambient lighting added sophistication, and a rear USB port increased convenience. The 2022 model introduced two new trims: the sporty N Line and the even sportier Kona N, each with unique styling elements like body-color cladding and rocker panels. The N Line featured exclusive black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals, while the Kona N boasted wide fenders, 19-inch alloy wheels, and N sport bucket seats. The refreshed Kona's proportions gave it a more streamlined look, with the Blue Wave exterior color and N Line-exclusive wheels standing out. The interior material quality and fit and finish were appropriate for the price point, with sporty touches like red accent stitching and "N" logos enhancing the overall appeal.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, each tied to specific trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-liter engine was better suited to the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions across its lineup. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line and Limited trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque with a seven-speed DCT. The new Kona N was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N featured exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and N Power Shift, along with performance enhancements like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. The Kona N Line, with its turbocharged engine and AWD, offered ample power and maneuverability, with minor turbo lag and clunkiness in lower gears. The Kona's handling was composed, with a low center of gravity contributing to its surefootedness.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear, and the roof could support up to 150 pounds. The 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona provided ample comfort for front-seat occupants, with generous headroom and legroom, even with the optional sunroof. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges, with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet available with all seats up and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims featured a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona's base SE trim included an 8-inch display with a six-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity. The SEL trim added SiriusXM, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an optional Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona offered a Digital Key, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims, and wireless device charging on the N Line and above.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ was available on most trims, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more. AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes were standard on all models. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Kona received five stars from NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from IIHS in all crashworthiness tests. The forward collision-avoidance system received a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle protection.