2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015 and refreshed in 2019, continued to carry over its rugged design inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV. It featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. Inside, the Renegade boasted a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack, making controls easily accessible. The Renegade offered various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each with unique features and equipment.

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 interior saw a separation of the instrument panel and center console, creating a more horizontal layout and spacious look. New ambient lighting for the front cupholders and footwells added sophistication, while a rear USB port increased convenience for back-seat passengers. The addition of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements and performance features.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with good maneuverability and visibility, making it a great city car. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road suspension and terrain management system, was particularly capable on trails.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions. 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 continuously variable transmission (CVT). The N Line and Limited trims had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The Kona N trim boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona's handling was composed, with ample torque and AWD providing stability and maneuverability.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the seats in use. Its tall, boxy design provided plenty of headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and adequate space for adults in the rear. The Renegade featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for added space.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while small, provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants, even with the optional sunroof. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced limited head- and legroom due to the vehicle's compact dimensions. Cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet with all seats up and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens featured the intuitive Uconnect system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an 8-inch display on the base SE trim, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system available on higher trims. The Kona offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona also included Hyundai Blue Link, a suite of connected services, and a range of standard and optional tech features, including wireless device charging and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made several previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors were available as options. The Renegade received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-following assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Available features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, Highway Drive Assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).