2020 Hyundai Venue vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted design compared to its predecessors, with softened lines and reduced edges, contributing to a lower drag coefficient of .29. This change, while subtle, was claimed by Mercedes to make it a class leader. The most noticeable transformation was at the front end, which gave the vehicle a handsome, albeit unoffensive, appearance. Inside, the GLE offered increased headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch extension in the wheelbase, allowing for an optional third row, a first for a midsize Mercedes SUV. However, the special $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint showed an unexpected orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium paint option.

The GLE 350 started at $53,700, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 255 horsepower. The price could quickly escalate with numerous options, such as leather upholstery, a cabin air purifier, and a fragrance system. The interior was luxurious, with multi-contour front seats offering a massage feature, though heating and ventilation required additional costs. The vehicle also included a range of comfort and technology packages, such as the Driver Assistance Package Plus and the MBUX Technology Package, which added advanced safety features and infotainment options. Despite the extensive list of options, the total cost of the test vehicle reached $78,370.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup as a subcompact SUV, positioned as a more affordable alternative to the Kona. It featured a more upright design and stood out with touches like a white contrasting roof and a large chrome grille. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and clean cabin with ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The Venue's trims included SE, SEL, and Denim, with the SEL being the recommended choice when paired with the Premium package, which added features like heated front seats and navigation. The Denim trim offered a fully loaded experience with unique denim upholstery, showcasing Hyundai's innovative approach to premium materials.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, while smooth and powerful at speed, exhibited noticeable turbo lag from a stop, partly due to the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The 9-speed automatic transmission was decent, though not as refined as the 8-speed in the BMW X5. The GLE 350's fuel economy was competitive, achieving 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined, though the X5 offered better performance with its standard turbocharged inline-6 engine.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT) for most trims, with a manual option available on the base trim. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup limited its SUV capabilities, but it offered decent ride height for occasional off-road conditions. Acceleration was underwhelming, with the engine making considerable noise, and the Venue struggled to reach highway speeds quickly. Despite its taller setup, the Venue handled corners well, though it communicated every road imperfection to the driver. Fuel economy was a strong point, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE benefited from an extended wheelbase, providing ample space in the second row and offering between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 79.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens, setting a new standard for dash design and customizability. The seats were comfortable, with a "Seat Kinetics" system to prevent discomfort on long drives. However, the steering wheel's position often obstructed the screen, and the upgraded Burmester stereo caused unwanted vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, offered a practical interior with excellent head- and legroom in the front seats. The rear seats provided decent legroom even with the front seats adjusted for taller drivers. The Venue's control layout was intuitive, with traditional buttons and dials complementing the modern technology. The automatic climate control on higher trims featured a peculiar display that resembled a third dial, which could be confusing for some users. Overall, the Venue demonstrated Hyundai's attention to user-friendly design.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which, while initially daunting, offered a wealth of features once mastered. The system included two 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display, providing options like augmented reality for navigation. However, the voice control system, intended to rival Siri and Alexa, was less effective in the GLE compared to the A-Class. The driver-assistance technology was improved but still had issues at high speeds, where it struggled to maintain a steady course.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The layout was logical, with large icons and fonts, and redundant hard buttons for major functions. The screen placement was well-designed, allowing users to brace their hands while using the touchscreen, minimizing distractions while driving.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE lacked testing data from NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of autonomous safety systems. Features like Attention Assist and Seat Kinetics aimed to prevent driver fatigue. However, the driver-assistance systems were less reliable at high speeds, struggling to maintain lane position and reacting unpredictably to road conditions.

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