2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was subtly refined from its predecessor, with a slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout and the slimmer headlights. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum featured projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, along with new 20-inch wheels. The interior was where the Highlander truly shone, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim boasted a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, offering a level of detail and quality that was hard to find in its competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was a stylish little crossover that seemed timeless in its design. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a unique look that belied its small size. The grille was well-proportioned, and the Venue's name was boldly displayed at the back. The Venue's exterior updates from the previous model year included new alloy wheels for all trims. The top-line Denim trim stood out with its white roof and unique paint job, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features that were previously optional. Inside, the Venue was practical, with plenty of light entering the cabin and a modern look despite its economical build.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration and a smooth, quiet ride. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for a kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride. However, it offered a calming driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel economy was impressive for its size, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and was only available in FWD. While the Venue's performance was modest, its lightweight design allowed for a sprightly feel in lower-speed areas. The Venue's powertrain was adequate for its size, but it lacked the excitement of larger engines. Despite this, the Venue's small size and weight made it feel lively when accelerating from a stop.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered a spacious interior, seating up to eight passengers or seven with the optional second-row captain's chairs. The second row was versatile, with generous legroom and adjustable seats for easy access to the third row. The Highlander featured a three-zone climate control system, with upper trims offering additional amenities like a 120-volt outlet, side window shades, and a heated second row. Cargo space was ample, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row and 48 cubic feet with the second row folded. The interior also boasted numerous cupholders and bottle holders, as well as convenient storage shelves integrated into the dash.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, being a compact crossover, offered plenty of headroom and legroom in the front seats, along with decent storage space. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for taller passengers. The Venue's cargo space was modest, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was less than some of its competitors. However, the Venue's design allowed for more light to enter the cabin, creating a spacious feel. The interior was practical, with basic cupholders and a simple automatic climate control system that effectively managed the small cabin's temperature.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's technology was somewhat outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, was not fully utilized for maps or vehicle options. However, the Highlander did come with standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The vehicle also offered a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster, both of which were crisp and informative. The optional JBL audio system was decent, and the Highlander included standard features like SiriusXM, HD radio, WiFi, and a one-year trial for Safety Connect.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its lower price point, was equipped with a well-designed 8-inch touchscreen interface. The screen had high resolution and responsive swipe functionality, with physical buttons for easy access to media and settings. The Venue's infotainment system included standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a future update for wireless CarPlay on the base SE trim. The Venue's radio interface featured charming design elements, such as station numbers displayed within classic tube-amp-style bulbs, adding a touch of character to the interior.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included electronic assists and safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its top ratings in crash tests and emergency braking performance. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet rated the 2020 model.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came with standard safety features like 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 received four out of five stars in the NHTSA's driver-side and passenger-side front collision tests, as well as four out of five stars for rollover. While the Venue's small size might raise concerns in a collision, its safety features were designed to prevent accidents and provide a sense of security for occupants.