2020 Lexus RX vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing its appeal in a competitive market. The exterior updates included standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The grille was redesigned to align with other Lexus models, and new paint colors like Moonbeam Beige Metallic and Nori Green Pearl were introduced. The rear featured a new shape with dual exhausts and a hands-free tailgate option. Inside, the RX maintained its luxurious feel with various interior color and material combinations, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trims. The F Sport package added unique elements like a special steering wheel, shift knob, and 20-inch wheels, enhancing the sporty appearance. Despite its premium leather-wrapped surfaces, the center stack's design appeared dated compared to industry trends.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, with its upright stance and almost horizontal roofline, presented a stylish and timeless design. Its grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the overall look. Roof rails and wide-spaced letters spelling "Venue" at the back added to its crossover appeal. The headlights were split into two pieces, and the taillights featured an intriguing pattern. The Venue's exterior saw minimal changes from the 2020 model, with 15-inch alloys replacing the base SE trim's steel wheels, and 17-inch alloys standard on SEL and Denim trims. The top-line Denim trim, with its white roof and unique paint job, stood out as the most stylish option. The SEL trim offered better value with standard features like 17-inch alloy wheels, a sliding armrest, and advanced driver-assistance systems. Inside, the Venue's materials were budget-friendly, with plastic surfaces and visible sunroof tracks, but the cabin felt airy and modern, thanks to its design.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350L variant offered slightly reduced power at 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, while the RX 450hL variant had a total of 259 horsepower from the gasoline engine and 165 horsepower from an electric motor. The RX's performance was smooth, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.9 seconds for most models. Fuel economy varied, with the RX 350 achieving 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h offered 30 mpg combined. The F Sport models featured adaptive variable suspension and sportier elements, enhancing agility. The RX provided a connected driving experience, with smooth braking and a quiet cabin.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue housed a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offered adequate power for its size. The Venue's lightweight design allowed for nimble movement in lower-speed areas, despite lacking turbocharged or larger engine options. Front-wheel drive was standard, with no all-wheel-drive option, but a selectable drive mode for snowy conditions was available. The Venue's performance was modest, with its powertrain providing a lively feel in city driving, although it lacked the horsepower for more thrilling highway experiences.

The 2020 Lexus RX's interior accommodated four adults comfortably in its two-row configuration, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best suited for small children. The cabin was spacious, with comfortable front seats and decent visibility, though the A-pillar could obstruct views. The RX's cargo area was smaller than competitors, with a high load floor limiting space. The RX 350L and 450hL also offered less cargo space compared to rivals like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350 and 450h models, and standard on RX-L versions.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with convenient storage options like a tray ahead of the gear selector. The center console's bin was small but functional. The Venue's back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer drives. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded, lagging behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport. Despite its compact size, the Venue offered a bit more ground clearance than some hatchbacks.

The 2020 Lexus RX featured an improved infotainment system, with a standard 8.0-inch display and an available 12.3-inch touchscreen moved closer to the driver. Despite improvements, the system was still challenging to navigate, but Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other integrations provided workarounds. The RX included six USB ports and a standard 12-speaker audio system, with an optional 15-speaker Mark Levinson system.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided easy access to media and settings, with customizable options. The Venue's infotainment system supported driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL and Denim trims featured upgraded systems, though wireless CarPlay was reserved for the base SE trim in the future.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. Additional features like daytime bicyclist detection and lane-tracing assist were standard. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, demonstrating its safety capabilities despite its small size.