2020 Lexus GX vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup by offering a more affordable subcompact SUV option compared to the slightly more premium Kona. The Venue's design was upright and practical, featuring distinctive touches like a contrasting white roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of Hyundai's larger SUVs. 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 three trims: SE, SEL, and Denim, each offering a range of features from basic necessities to more premium options like heated seats and navigation.

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its age, maintained a rugged and capable presence with its updated hourglass grille design. Sharing a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, the GX was built for durability and off-road capability, which compensated for its lack of modern innovation. Inside, the GX's cabin retained its decade-old design with large buttons and a recessed infotainment screen, emphasizing functionality over modern aesthetics. The GX was offered in three trims: 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury, each providing a range of luxury features from leather upholstery to advanced navigation systems. The GX's interior was designed for practicality, with options like second-row captain's chairs and power-folding third-row seats.

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) on 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 was noisy, especially when trying to reach highway speeds. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Venue's ride was more suited to city driving, with a fuel economy of 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 engine delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive. The GX's V8 provided a powerful and smooth driving experience, with direct and responsive steering. The self-leveling air suspension offered a comfortable ride, capable of handling rough terrain with ease. The GX excelled in off-road conditions, with various 4WD modes and a towing capacity of up to 6,500 pounds. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered a practical interior with ample head- and legroom in the front seats, even for taller drivers. The rear seats provided decent legroom, although cargo space was limited to 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, compared to the Kona's 45.8 cubic feet. The Venue's control layout was intuitive, with traditional buttons and dials for radio and climate controls, although the automatic climate control display could be confusing for some users.

The 2020 Lexus GX provided a spacious interior with options for second-row captain's chairs and power-folding third-row seats. However, cargo space was limited to 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded, less than some competitors. The GX featured a unique side-opening rear hatch, with a separately opening rear window for easy access to the cargo area. The interior was designed for practicality, with large windows and mirrors providing excellent visibility.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with logical layouts and redundant hard buttons for major functions. The screen placement was well-designed, allowing for easy use while driving.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it featured a true touchscreen with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, offering a simpler user interface compared to newer Lexus models. Despite its simplicity, some drivers might miss the modern connectivity features.

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

The 2020 Lexus GX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's design provided excellent visibility, enhancing overall safety.