2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a refined, upscale design that was more handsome than its competitors like the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model enhanced its utilitarian appeal by slimming down the body panels, particularly at the rear, giving it a lower and more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown, with materials that felt subpar for its price range. The leather felt like low-grade vinyl, and the door panels were covered in flimsy plastic. Despite some aluminum speaker covers and white stitching, the interior lacked the luxury expected at its price point, especially when compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup as an affordable subcompact SUV. It featured a more upright design and stood out with touches like a white contrasting roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of the larger Hyundai Palisade. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and clean cabin with ample space for both driver and passengers. The upright layout and large side windows provided excellent visibility. The Venue came in three trims: SE, SEL, and Denim, each offering a range of features. The SEL trim, especially with the Premium package, was recommended for its added niceties like heated front seats and navigation. The Denim trim offered a unique two-tone exterior and denim upholstery, showcasing Hyundai's innovative approach to premium cabin materials.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive chassis that provided a balanced driving experience. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth and addictive power, with the option of all-wheel drive. The Explorer's handling was nimble, with precise steering and flat cornering, making it a standout in its class. The 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine, producing 300 horsepower, was the most common choice among buyers, offering a solid performance. A gas-electric hybrid option was available, but it did not provide significant fuel economy benefits. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine and drivetrain, and it offered seven drive modes for various conditions.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a single 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT) on most trims, with a manual option available on the base trim. The Venue's performance was modest, with acceleration being underwhelming and the engine making noticeable noise. It lacked all-wheel drive, limiting its capability compared to other SUVs. Despite its taller setup, the Venue handled corners well, with minimal body roll. However, the lack of power affected the driver's ability to control the car in tight spots and reach highway speeds quickly. The Venue's fuel economy was commendable, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in providing ample interior space, making it ideal for long road trips. It offered generous room for passengers and cargo, with 18 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof, enhancing comfort. The third row accommodated six-foot-tall adults for short journeys, although the bench was flat for long-distance comfort. The Explorer's controls were intuitive, with physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo functions. However, thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not extremely utilitarian, provided decent interior space for its class. It offered 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, less than the Hyundai Kona. However, it provided ample head- and legroom in the front seats, even for taller drivers. The Venue's control layout was user-friendly, with traditional buttons and dials for radio and climate controls. The SEL and Denim trims featured automatic climate control with a unique display, although it could be confusing at first. Overall, the Venue demonstrated Hyundai's attention to real-world usability.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Keyless entry, remote start, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The Premium Technology Package, available on ST and Platinum models, included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the touchscreen was well-organized and high-resolution, the instrument panel lacked customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ offered semi-automated driving features, but its performance was not as refined as competitors.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Hyundai's logical touchscreen layout minimized distracted driving, with large icons and fonts. The screen placement allowed for easy use while driving. The Venue's infotainment system demonstrated Hyundai's expertise in creating user-friendly technology.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had a passenger front knee airbag as standard. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Explorer as Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features such as a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also included forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention warning. The SEL trim with the Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, standard on the Denim trim.