2020 Hyundai Venue vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC presented a refreshed front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, drawing inspiration from the A-Class and CLS-Class. While the GLC wasn't unattractive, it lacked visual excitement from most angles, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 model. The AMG versions, however, added some flair with wide tires and a lower stance. The interior was a standout feature, offering one of the best in the business with high-quality materials and impeccable fit and finish. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous smaller displays, and a more button-rich steering wheel, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup as a subcompact SUV, offering a more affordable and upright design compared to the slightly more premium Kona. The Venue stood out with features like a contrasting white roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille. Inside, the Venue's cabin was modern and spacious, providing ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The Venue's control layout was intuitive, with a mix of traditional buttons and modern technology, making it user-friendly. The Denim trim featured unique denim upholstery, showcasing Hyundai's innovative approach to interior materials.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was equipped with a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, offered improved performance over previous models, though it still fell short compared to competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, providing exhilarating performance. The GLC 300's handling and steering were less impressive, with noticeable body roll and vague steering. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT) in most trims, offering front-wheel drive only. The Venue's acceleration was underwhelming, and the engine was noisy, especially when trying to reach highway speeds. Despite its taller setup, the Venue handled corners with composure, though it communicated every bump and crack in the road. Fuel economy with the CVT was rated at 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined, making it a fuel-efficient option.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with modern Mercedes vehicles. The interior was spacious enough for four adults, though the back seat's reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was limited, with 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, provided decent utility for its size. It offered 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, less than the Hyundai Kona. The Venue's front seats provided ample head- and legroom, and the rear seats offered decent legroom even with the driver's seat pushed back. The control layout was intuitive, with a combination of traditional buttons and modern technology, making it user-friendly.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system, offering advanced features like augmented reality navigation and a cloud-based voice assistant. While some features were ahead of their time, the system was generally user-friendly, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An Off-Road Engineering Package was available, adding hill-descent control and additional driving modes.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The layout was logical and user-friendly, with large icons and fonts, and redundant hard buttons for major functions. The screen placement was well-designed, allowing for easy use while driving.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring top ratings in all crash tests. It featured advanced safety technologies like Exit Warning Assist and Pre-Safe Sound, enhancing overall safety.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also featured impressive driver-assistance technologies like forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention warning. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with the Convenience Package.