2021 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a long-standing gap in Hyundai's lineup by entering the subcompact SUV segment. Despite the introduction of the Kona in 2018, the Venue distinguished itself as a more affordable option with a straightforward, upright design. 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 three trims: SE, SEL, and Denim, each offering a range of features from basic necessities to more premium options like denim upholstery and a two-tone exterior.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V's design was more conventional, blending in with other compact crossovers. While its exterior styling was not its main selling point, the CR-V offered a few distinguishing features like its grille and chromed plastic accents. The CR-V came in eight colors, though many were variations of gray, black, and white, with more vibrant options limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V provided a modern look with angular seat designs and upscale materials in higher trims. Despite its understated appearance, the CR-V was a practical choice for those prioritizing function over form.

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 was front-wheel drive only, lacking an all-wheel-drive option. Its acceleration was modest, with the engine making noticeable noise when pushed. The Venue offered drive modes like Normal, Snow, and Sport, but its performance remained underwhelming, especially at highway speeds. Despite its SUV-like appearance, the Venue handled more like a compact hatchback, with noticeable road feedback and limited power affecting its overall driving dynamics. Fuel economy was decent, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, providing smooth and steady acceleration. It reached 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) offered predictable performance, though it lacked the engagement of conventional automatic transmissions found in some competitors. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup, consisting of a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, contributed to decent handling and ride quality, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

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, the Venue provided decent rear legroom, even with the front seats adjusted for taller drivers. However, its cargo space was limited, with only 31.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded, compared to the Kona's 45.8 cubic feet. The Venue's control layout was user-friendly, combining modern technology with traditional buttons and dials for ease of use. Automatic climate control was available on higher trims, though its design could be confusing at first glance.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. This made it a practical choice for families and those needing ample storage. The CR-V's tailgate options varied by trim, with manual, power, and hands-free versions available. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim, limiting options for carrying additional gear. Overall, the CR-V's design prioritized functionality, making it a versatile choice for various needs.

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 redundant hard buttons for major functions. The screen's placement allowed for easy use while driving, enhancing the overall user experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen with limited features. However, higher trims offered a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text messaging functions. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim featuring a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant in all but the base trim, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger. The CR-V's infotainment system provided a comprehensive suite of features, catering to tech-savvy consumers.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also included advanced driver-assistance technologies such as forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention warning. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, enhancing overall safety.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Its Honda Sensing system included a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. These features were standard across all trims, making the CR-V a standout choice for safety-conscious buyers.