2020 Audi Q7 vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup by offering a more affordable subcompact SUV option. Despite the earlier introduction of the Kona, the Venue distinguished itself with a more upright design and a focus on affordability. It featured unique touches like a contrasting white roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of Hyundai's larger SUVs. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and clean cabin with ample space for both front and rear passengers, providing excellent visibility due to its upright layout and large windows. The Venue was available in SE, SEL, and Denim trims, with the SEL being the recommended choice when paired with the Premium package for added features.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 presented a more luxurious and high-tech experience. The Q7 55 TFSI, equipped with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, offered a refined driving experience with its sophisticated Quattro all-wheel-drive system and adaptive air suspension. The Q7's design updates aligned it with the flagship Q8 model, featuring new wheels and lighting elements. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, with three digital displays replacing most physical controls. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and natural wood inlays, exuded luxury and comfort, enhanced by features like multi-color ambient lighting.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was powered by a 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) for most trims, with a manual option available on the base trim. The Venue's power was sent to the front wheels, with no all-wheel-drive option, making it more akin to a compact hatchback in terms of driving dynamics. Acceleration was underwhelming, and the engine noise was noticeable, especially when trying to reach highway speeds. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Venue's performance was more suited to city driving, with a fuel economy of 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This setup improved fuel efficiency and provided a smooth driving experience. The Q7's eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Allroad, allowing for a tailored driving experience. The Q7 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. It achieved an average of 21 mpg during testing, with the mild-hybrid system operating seamlessly.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, offered a practical interior with ample head- and legroom in the front seats. The rear seats provided decent legroom, even with the driver's seat pushed back. However, cargo space was limited, with only 31.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. The Venue's control layout was intuitive, with traditional buttons and dials complementing the touchscreen interface. Automatic climate control was available on higher trims, though its design could be confusing at first glance.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with its three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers, as the third row was cramped and reduced cargo space significantly. With the third row folded, cargo capacity increased to 35.7 cubic feet, and with both rows down, it offered 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7's interior was comfortable for long journeys, with heated and ventilated front seats and ample legroom in the second row. The four-zone climate control and panoramic sunroof added to the comfort and enjoyment of the ride. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and door-panel bins offering minimal space for personal items.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, featuring Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The layout was logical and user-friendly, with large icons and fonts for easy navigation. The screen placement allowed for easy interaction while driving, with redundant hard buttons for major functions.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. This system offered natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless smartphone integration, and navigation with Google Earth imagery. While the interface was generally intuitive, dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsiveness. The Prestige trim included a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though the latter was replaced by a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a reversing camera, traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and a full array of airbags. Standard driver-assistance technologies 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.

The 2020 Audi Q7 was equipped with advanced driving-assistance systems, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to unexpected braking. The Q7's HD Matrix LED headlights provided excellent illumination, though they received a "poor" rating from the IIHS due to glare. The Q7 earned high ratings for collision protection, with the headlight assessment being the only drawback.