2021 Volvo XC60 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 characterized by its upright stance and distinctive features 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, with the SEL trim being recommended for its additional features and optional Premium package.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's rebirth under Geely's ownership, offering a near-luxury experience with its elegant design and innovative features. Built on Volvo's SPA platform, the XC60 shared its sophisticated design language with other Volvo models, featuring a tailored crossover look with short overhangs and crisp details. The interior was a showcase of Scandinavian design, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The XC60's cabin was equipped with a large portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and thoughtful details like elegant HVAC vents, making it a comfortable and stylish place to spend time.

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 came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT). The Venue was front-wheel drive only, lacking an all-wheel-drive option, which limited its capability compared to other SUVs. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Venue's acceleration was underwhelming, and it struggled to reach highway speeds quickly. The Venue's fuel economy was respectable, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the T5 model's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger for a total of 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the T8 model combined a turbocharged and supercharged engine with an electric motor for a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further increased power to 415 horsepower. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided excellent handling, and the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Fuel economy varied by model, with the T8 PHEV achieving up to 27 mpg combined and 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

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 compared to the Hyundai Kona. With the rear seats folded, the Venue offered 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Kona provided 45.8 cubic feet. The Venue's control layout was intuitive, with traditional buttons and dials for key functions, although the automatic climate control on higher trims had a somewhat confusing display.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in providing a comfortable and functional interior, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system well-suited for cold climates. The XC60's cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a practical choice for families. Cargo space was generous, with 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60's towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds added to its versatility.

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 logical and user-friendly, with large icons and fonts, and redundant hard buttons for major functions. The screen placement allowed for easy use while driving, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system's portrait orientation and gesture controls were familiar to iPad users, but there was a learning curve for new users. The Sensus system offered smartphone integration, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo On Call app for remote vehicle functions. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality, enhancing the XC60's luxury feel.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue included standard safety features such as a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also offered advanced driver-assistance technologies like forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, 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 2021 Volvo XC60 was a leader in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for certain models. The XC60 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and lane-keeping aid. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60's top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety reasons, and the T8 Polestar Engineered model featured distinctive gold safety belts.