2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a classic design, with no overt styling changes to distinguish it from its non-hybrid counterparts. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, making it nearly invisible unless pointed out. This subtlety was appreciated by those who valued design continuity, as Land Rover avoided unnecessary embellishments that could detract from the vehicle's appeal. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, featured striking Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its already impressive presence. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, reflecting the vehicle's premium price tag, although some features did not function as seamlessly as expected.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue was praised for its timeless and stylish design, which seemed unlikely to age poorly. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a substantial appearance, belying its compact size. The Venue's grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design. The vehicle's exterior updates for 2021 included 15-inch alloys for the base SE trim and 17-inch alloys for the SEL and Denim trims. The top-line Denim trim, with its unique paint job and white roof, was particularly eye-catching. Despite its budget-friendly price, the Venue's interior was modern and functional, with ample light entering the cabin through large windows and a thin A-pillar design.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, the test vehicle struggled to maintain EV mode, possibly due to factors like climate control usage or hilly terrain. The SUV averaged 41.9 mpg over 28.4 miles in EV mode and 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, which included mountain driving. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, making smooth stops challenging. The vehicle retained its off-roading capabilities, with a permanent 4WD system and multiple traction settings. Recharging the battery took 14 hours using a standard outlet, but the battery often reached only 75% capacity.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, provided adequate power for the Venue's lightweight 2,612-pound frame. While not the most thrilling driving experience, the Venue's small size allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas. Front-wheel drive was the only option, with a selectable drive mode for snowy conditions. The Venue's performance was comparable to competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Ford EcoSport, and Toyota C-HR, although it lacked the option for a more powerful engine.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's cargo space was limited due to the battery's placement beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing the standard 27.5-cubic-foot space. The vehicle comfortably seated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle featured 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof, enhancing the interior experience. However, practical storage was limited, especially with the optional refrigerated center console bin.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage space, including a tray ahead of the gear selector and a small center console bin. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer drives. Cargo space was modest, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 31.9 cubic feet with the seat folded down. The Venue's cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Toyota C-HR, and Ford EcoSport. Despite its compact size, the Venue's design allowed for plenty of light to enter the cabin, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and occasionally frustrating to use. Despite spending time setting up the system, the reviewer experienced unexpected behavior and delayed reactions. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the challenge. While the system offered easy access to primary functions, it required patience and familiarity with technology.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted an impressive array of technology features for its price. An 8-inch touchscreen, situated between air vents, provided high-resolution visuals and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons below the screen allowed for easy access to media sources, navigation, and settings. The Venue's infotainment system supported driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The interface was designed for simplicity and ease of use, with charming details like classic tube-amp-style radio displays.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system. However, the vehicle's higher center of gravity and adaptive air suspension contributed to head-toss, requiring smooth driving to minimize discomfort. The lane-keeping assist system was deemed too abrupt, leading the reviewer to disable it. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's substantial weight provided some reassurance in a collision.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue's ADAS were seamlessly integrated, avoiding distracting alerts. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA's driver-side and passenger-side front collision tests, as well as for rollover.