2020 Hyundai Venue vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup by entering the subcompact SUV segment, despite the earlier introduction of the Kona in 2018. While both vehicles shared the same segment, the Venue was positioned as a more affordable option with a straightforward design, contrasting with the Kona's premium features and AWD capability. The Venue's exterior featured distinctive elements like a white contrasting roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of Hyundai's larger SUVs. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and spacious cabin with excellent visibility, thanks to its upright layout and large windows. The Venue's trims included SE, SEL, and Denim, each offering a range of features from basic necessities to more luxurious options like denim upholstery and a two-tone exterior.

The 2021 Audi Q5, on the other hand, was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that embodied Audi's design language while maintaining its unique character. It featured an expressive front with LED headlights and a prominent Singleframe grille, complemented by crisp character lines and bold taillights. The Q5's interior was equally impressive, with a modern and uncluttered design that incorporated high-quality materials like real wood and metal. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically placed for easy access, and the second row offered standard leather seating surfaces. The Q5 PHEV variant added S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, further elevating its appearance with standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was powered by a single engine option: 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 a front-wheel-drive vehicle with no AWD option, making it more akin to a compact hatchback than a traditional SUV. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Venue's acceleration was underwhelming, and the engine noise was noticeable, especially when trying to reach highway speeds. The Venue offered drive modes like Normal, Snow, and Sport, but even in Sport mode, it struggled with acceleration. Fuel economy was a highlight, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took performance to another level with its innovative setup. It combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a total output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed the Q5 PHEV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. The Q5 PHEV offered impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined, with a gasoline-only mode rated at 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 PHEV featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro AWD, providing various driving modes for optimal efficiency and performance. Handling was enhanced by speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and a four-wheel independent suspension, offering a sporty yet comfortable ride.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, offered a decent amount of interior space for its size. It provided 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which was less than the Hyundai Kona's 45.8 cubic feet. However, both vehicles offered around 19 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up. The Venue excelled in front-seat head- and legroom, even accommodating taller drivers comfortably. The control layout was intuitive, with traditional buttons and dials for essential functions, although the automatic climate control on higher trims had a peculiar design.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV, with its smart packaging, managed to carry its battery pack without compromising cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided ample legroom (37.8 inches) and headroom (37.7 inches), allowing two adults to sit comfortably. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with heating and ventilation options on higher trims. The Q5's interior was thoughtfully designed, with numerous storage options and a clean layout that enhanced functionality.

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 readability. The screen placement was well-considered, allowing users to brace their hands while using the touchscreen.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV boasted Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. This customizable instrument panel offered three views and elevated the cabin's tech appeal. The Q5 PHEV also featured an Integrated Toll Module, a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Navigation Package, included in the Prestige Package, optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like a reversing camera, traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and a full array of airbags. It also included driver-assistance technologies such as 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 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 received top "good" ratings in most categories. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, Audi Pre Sense basic, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, and adaptive cruise control.