2020 Hyundai Venue vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup by offering a more affordable subcompact SUV option. While the Kona, introduced in 2018, was a bit more premium and powerful with AWD capabilities, the Venue was designed as a budget-friendly people-mover with a more upright design. It featured distinctive touches like a white contrasting roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of the larger Hyundai Palisade. Inside, the Venue boasted 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.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the classic, rugged design reminiscent of the beloved LR4, with its squared-off edges, high roofline, and short overhangs. It was a vehicle that exuded a sense of adventure, with features like step plates, a three-piece ladder, and alpine lights that harkened back to its off-road heritage. The Defender's exterior was customizable with options like mudflaps, snorkels, and various design themes. Inside, the Defender's cabin was industrial and utilitarian, with exposed screws and a focus on durability. It offered a unique seating configuration with an optional jump seat and a third row, providing flexibility for up to seven passengers. The Defender's design was all about functionality, making it a versatile choice for those seeking both style and substance.

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 manual transmission on the base trim, while most trims featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT). The Venue was front-wheel drive only, lacking the AWD capability found in some of its competitors. While it offered decent ride height, its acceleration was underwhelming, and the engine noise was noticeable. The Venue's handling was composed, but its lack of power affected its ability to accelerate quickly, which could be a safety concern. Fuel economy was respectable, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Defender offered a more robust performance with its optional 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This mild hybrid system provided consistent power and eliminated turbo lag. The Defender's eight-speed automatic transmission offered a sport mode for more aggressive launches. Off-road, the Defender excelled with its Terrain Response 2 system and adjustable-height suspension, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains with ease. The standard engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 296 horsepower, suitable for the smaller two-door 90 model. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, offered a practical interior with ample head- and legroom in the front seats. Despite its compact size, it provided decent rear legroom, even with the driver's seat pushed back. However, its cargo space was limited, with only 31.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. The Venue's control layout was user-friendly, with traditional buttons and dials for essential functions. The automatic climate control on higher trims had a unique design, but overall, the Venue's interior was thoughtfully designed for everyday use.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender prioritized durability and functionality in its interior design. It featured a rubber floor and a minimalist layout, with an optional jump seat for added versatility. The Defender 90 could accommodate up to six passengers, while the four-door 110 offered seating for up to seven. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with the two-door 90 providing 16 cubic feet and the four-door 110 offering up to 79 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Defender's interior was designed for ease of use, with simple controls and a spacious feel, making it a practical choice for those who needed both passenger and cargo capacity.

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. Hyundai's logical touchscreen layout minimized distracted driving, with large icons and fonts for easy navigation. The screen placement was well thought out, allowing users to brace their hands while using the touchscreen, enhancing usability.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender introduced the Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous JLR systems. It featured two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air software updates. The interface was streamlined with a muted grayscale theme, although some user interface issues persisted. The Defender's off-road capabilities were enhanced by front cameras that displayed the ground beneath the front hood, and a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen. The digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided sharp visuals, while 4G WiFi and a wireless charger added convenience. The Defender's infotainment system was comprehensive, offering a range of features for both on-road and off-road adventures.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. It also featured advanced driver-assistance technologies like 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, which were standard on the Denim trim.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. crash testing agencies, but it offered a range of safety features. Standard equipment included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitor, and 360-degree cameras. Optional features included rear cross-traffic alerts and exit alerts for passing cars or cyclists. While it lacked knee airbags and rear side airbags, the Defender provided a comprehensive suite of safety technologies.