2020 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Nissan Murano, despite its age, maintained an attractive exterior with updates from the 2019 model year, including a refreshed grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. However, its styling was not particularly modern, especially as newer models like the Nissan Pathfinder and Armada debuted with more contemporary looks. The Murano was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with midrange and higher trims receiving more standard features. The interior, particularly in the Platinum grade, offered premium materials but felt dated, especially in the center stack and console. Despite this, the Murano managed to feel upscale compared to some competitors, with controls that were intuitive and easy to reach.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was praised for its timeless and stylish design. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a unique look that belied its small size. The grille was well-proportioned, and the split headlights and patterned taillights added to its appeal. The Venue's exterior saw minimal changes from the previous year, with alloy wheels becoming standard across trims. The top-line Denim trim stood out with its distinctive paint job and white roof, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features previously part of an extra-cost package. Inside, the Venue used inexpensive materials but managed to avoid feeling spartan, with a modern look and plenty of light entering the cabin.

The 2020 Nissan Murano was powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. While not the quickest off the line, it excelled at highway speeds, making overtaking easy. The CVT was notably quiet, contributing to a serene cabin environment. The Murano achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, which was respectable for its class. It came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. The Murano handled well with AWD, though it exhibited some body lean. Its four-wheel independent suspension smoothed out bumps, providing a comfortable ride, though it lacked the agility of premium SUVs. The Murano had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was adequate for its size, though not particularly powerful. The Venue was only available with front-wheel drive, and a CVT managed its power. Despite its modest output, the Venue's light weight allowed it to feel lively in city driving. The absence of a turbocharger or larger engine options limited its performance, but it was comparable to rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport. The Venue's small size and weight made it nimble in urban environments, though it lacked the power for more spirited driving.

The 2020 Nissan Murano was known for its comfortable Zero Gravity seats, providing excellent support for long journeys. It offered more headroom than the Lexus RX and excelled in shoulder room, particularly in the second row. The Murano had 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 2021 Rogue, thanks to its superior hip and shoulder room. Cargo space was somewhat limited, with 32.1 cubic feet behind the second row and 67.0 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite this, the Murano's low cargo floor and easy-to-fold seats made it practical for daily use. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control and keyless entry, with options for leather seating, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic moonroof.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with practical storage solutions like a tray for small items. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space was modest, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded, falling short of competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport. The Venue's hatchback design provided some versatility, but it was not ideal for those prioritizing cargo capacity. Despite its compact size, the Venue's interior felt open and airy, with large windows and an upright windshield.

The 2020 Nissan Murano featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system. The interface was user-friendly, with options for an 11-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, and navigation. NissanConnect Services offered features like automatic collision notification and remote functionalities. The Murano's tech was not cutting-edge, but it met the needs of its target audience.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its tech offerings, including an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided easy access to media and settings, and the interface was designed for simplicity. The Venue supported driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The base SE trim was set to receive wireless CarPlay, though the SEL and Denim trims did not. The Venue's infotainment system was well-executed, offering a modern and user-friendly experience.

The 2020 Nissan Murano came with Safety Shield 360 as standard on SV, SL, and Platinum trims, including features like forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It lacked advanced driver-assist technology found in some rivals. The Murano received "good" ratings from the IIHS, except for headlights, and earned five-star NHTSA ratings, except for a four-star rollover rating.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, with blind-spot monitoring on higher trims. Its ADAS were well-integrated, avoiding intrusive alerts. The Venue received four-star NHTSA ratings for front collision and rollover tests, providing reasonable safety for its size.