2021 Hyundai Kona vs Kia Sportage

2021 Kona vs 2021 Sportage: Performance & Powertrain

To get you where you need to go vigorously, both the Kona and Sportage include top-of-the-line equipment under the hood. However, some differences should be noted. 

Standard in the Kia Sportage, you’ll receive the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. By generating 175 lb-ft of torque, your payload and towing capacity reach new levels. On the other hand, in the Kona, you can upgrade to the available 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, which supplies more torque: 195 lb-ft, to be exact. 

Both vehicles also come standard with front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is an option if you’re looking for ultimate power and control) as well as a 6-speed automatic transmission. However, in the 2021 Hyundai Kona, this transmission comes equipped with SHIFTRONIC® technology, which adapts to your driving habits and road conditions to give you a smooth ride every time. 

Additionally, a 7-speed EcoShift® Dual Clutch transmission is also available in the Kona, while the Sportage only has a 6-speed available. 

Hyundai vs Kia: Technology

Thanks to such an impressive fuel economy in these SUVs, you can stay on the road longer—meaning you’ll need premium entertainment to keep you engaged throughout your ride. Expansive 8-inch touchscreen displays available in the 2021 Hyundai Kona and Kia Sportage allow easy access to your desired entertainment while exploring the thrills of the open road. 

Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integrations come standard on these displays, allowing you to connect your compatible smartphone for instant access to your customized music library.  However, you can enjoy a more immersive listening experience in the Kona with its 8-speaker system than the Sportage’s 6-speaker audio system. 

When it comes to top-of-the-line features, the Kona offers more with an available heads-up display. This intelligent system projects essential driving information directly in your line of sight on your windshield. Without this technology in the Sportage, you’ll have to tear your eyes from the fast-paced highway to access your current driving speed, equipped safety system warnings, and navigational instructions.

Cargo and Passenger Volume

When it comes to adventure, the people and things you bring along are important. If you’re helping your older brother move into an apartment or need extra space for some flea market finds, both the 2021 Hyundai Kona and Kia Sportage offer two amenities that make room for the cargo you need to haul:

• 60/40 split-fold down seats
• Dual-level cargo floor 

Also, both of these rides boast upwards of 45 cubic feet of cargo volume. When you utilize both the amenities listed above, you’ll have plenty of room for a vintage coffee table, a few golf bags, a couple of large pieces of luggage, and more! 

Exterior Dimensions 

Now that we’ve covered the spacious interiors of the 2021 Hyundai Kona and Kia Sportage, we can talk about the feature that grants these SUVs their large cabins: their exterior builds. As compact SUVs, these vehicles built slightly smaller to create nimbler maneuverability. Let’s check out their exterior dimensions below:

As you can see, the 2021 Hyundai Kona is slightly smaller all around compared to the Kia Sportage. However, this is not a disadvantage for a few reasons. Having a smaller frame allows the Kona to be more agile and nimble—perfect for city maneuvering. The Kia Sportage’s stockier frame can make tight turns a little trickier.

Also, the Hyundai Kona’s nimbler build allows for an easier time parking in a tight parallel parking spot. The Kia Sportage may have to adjust their park job a few times while trying to park in a tight spot compared to the Hyundai Kona. 

What Are the Differences Between the 2021 Hyundai Kona and Kia Sportage?

With similar baseline safety technology and infotainment systems, the race was close between the 2021 Hyundai Kona and Kia Sportage. However, at Andy Mohr Hyundai, we think that if you’re looking for an SUV with top-of-the-line equipment, better fuel economy, and a more dynamic motor, then the Kona is the way to go.

While reading about this vehicle is exciting, it’s even more of a thrill to get behind the wheel. So, see for yourself why the Kona won out over the Sportage and schedule a test drive at our dealership today. We look forward to assisting our neighbors near Bloomington, Martinsville, and Ellettsville, Indiana, on their car buying journey.