Is the Nissan Qashqai better than the Hyundai Kona for winter driving?

Neither is universally better for winter driving. In practice, the bigger factors are winter tires, ground clearance, drivetrain, and stability/traction control tuning.

A safer rule of thumb:

• Choose the Hyundai Kona if the version you’re looking at has AWD and a true low-speed traction mode/lock feature; that can help in deep snow or when getting moving from a stop.
• Choose the Nissan Qashqai if the specific trim you’re comparing includes heated windshield/defrost-focused winter features or other cold-weather equipment that improves visibility and comfort.

That said, winter tires matter more than either badge. A FWD Kona or Qashqai on proper winter tires will usually be much safer and more capable in snow and ice than an AWD version on all-season tires.

Because equipment varies a lot by market and trim, verify the exact model spec sheet for the year and version you’re considering before deciding.