2020 Lexus RX 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. While the Kona boasted more power and an all-wheel-drive option, the Venue focused on being a budget-friendly people-mover with a distinctive upright design. Its standout features included a white contrasting roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of the larger Hyundai Palisade. Inside, the Venue's cabin was modern and spacious, providing ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The Venue's trims—SE, SEL, and Denim—offered various features, with the SEL being the recommended choice when paired with the Premium package for added amenities.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus RX received a refresh that enhanced its already stylish exterior, making it a standout in a crowded SUV market. The RX featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The interior was well-appointed, offering a range of material combinations and trims, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum. The F Sport appearance package added unique styling elements and performance features, while the cabin maintained a luxurious feel with leather-wrapped surfaces. Despite its stylish design, the RX's center stack appeared dated, though it remained functional.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was powered by a single 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's power was sent to the front wheels, with no all-wheel-drive option available. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Venue's performance was more akin to a compact hatchback, with underwhelming acceleration and a noisy engine. The Venue's fuel economy was commendable, achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined with the CVT.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350L models had slightly reduced power at 290 horsepower. A hybrid version, the RX 450h, combined the V6 with an electric motor for a total of 308 horsepower. The RX's performance was smooth, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.9 seconds. Fuel economy for the RX 350 was 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined. The RX F Sport models offered enhanced handling with adaptive variable suspension and sport-tuned features.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered a compact interior with limited cargo space, providing 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite its smaller size, the Venue's front seats provided ample head- and legroom, even for taller drivers. The control layout was intuitive, with traditional buttons and dials for key functions. The Venue's automatic climate control on higher trims featured a unique display that could be confusing at first glance.

The 2020 Lexus RX's interior was spacious in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. However, the three-row RX-L's third row was best suited for small children. The RX's cargo area was smaller than its competitors, with a high load floor that limited space. The split-folding rear seat was easy to operate, and a hands-free liftgate was available on certain models. The RX's cabin provided a comfortable and luxurious experience, though the A-pillar could impede visibility.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's layout was user-friendly, with large icons and fonts, and redundant hard buttons for major functions. The screen's placement allowed for easy use while driving, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system, though criticized for its complexity, saw improvements with a touchscreen interface. The standard 8.0-inch display and available 12.3-inch touchscreen were moved closer to the driver for easier access. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other connectivity options provided alternatives to the Lexus system. The RX featured a standard 12-speaker audio system, with an optional 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. Driver-assistance technologies like forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning were standard. 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 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional safety enhancements for 2020 included daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.