2020 Hyundai Venue vs 2021 Kia Seltos

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 focus on practicality rather than premium features. Its upright design and unique touches, such as the white contrasting roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille, gave it a distinct appearance. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and clean cabin with ample space for both front and rear passengers, ensuring comfort and visibility on the road. The Venue's trims, including SE, SEL, and Denim, provided a range of features, with the SEL trim being particularly recommended when paired with the Premium package.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a big-car feel with its upright layout and commanding road view. Its design, including a busy headlight arrangement and aggressive front bumper, contributed to its dynamic appearance. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech features reminiscent of upscale brands. The Seltos provided a range of trims, from the base LX to the range-topping SX Turbo, each offering a variety of features. The SX Turbo, in particular, stood out with its larger infotainment screen and premium sound system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

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's power was sent to the front wheels, with no all-wheel drive option available. Despite its SUV classification, the Venue's performance was more akin to a compact hatchback, with modest acceleration and a somewhat noisy engine. The Venue offered drive modes, including Normal, Snow, and Sport, but its lack of power was evident in various driving situations. Fuel economy was a highlight, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. All-wheel drive was standard on the LX and EX trims and optional on the S trim. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway driving and passing maneuvers, with drive modes enhancing throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, offering a driving experience reminiscent of a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, offered a practical interior with ample head- and legroom for front passengers. The rear seats provided decent legroom, even with the driver's seat pushed back. However, the Venue's cargo space was limited, with 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 intuitive, with traditional buttons and dials complementing modern technology. The SEL and Denim trims featured automatic climate control, though the display design could be misleading.

The 2021 Kia Seltos excelled in cargo space, offering 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage, with ample head- and legroom for rear passengers. The Seltos provided a comfortable and practical interior, catering to the needs of both front and rear occupants.

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. The system's layout was logical and user-friendly, with large icons and fonts for easy navigation. The screen placement allowed for convenient use while driving, with redundant hard buttons on the dash for major functions.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a range of infotainment options, with the base S trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and the SX Turbo boasting a 10.25-inch screen. The larger screen allowed for simultaneous display of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and additional information. However, the system had some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB and only one data-capable USB port. Despite these issues, the Seltos' infotainment system was generally intuitive and easy to use, with helpful hard buttons for menu navigation.

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

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided a comprehensive safety package, with standard airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims included driver-assistance features like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim offered adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection. The Seltos also featured a unique alert for when a vehicle in front has moved, preventing potential delays at stoplights.