2020 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was a vehicle that exuded a subtle yet powerful presence. Its design was not about flashy aesthetics but rather about functional elegance. The dished hood, a unique feature, improved forward sight lines, making it easier for drivers to navigate challenging terrains. The fenders, slightly bulging from the smooth sides, provided both a visual cue of the vehicle's width and space for wheel travel. The Land Cruiser Heritage Edition added a touch of retro flair with its blackened trim, bronze BBS wheels, and a heritage badge. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a near-luxury experience with black perforated leather-trimmed seating and a functional, albeit slightly plain, dashboard. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system was surrounded by a plethora of buttons and knobs, ensuring that every function was within easy reach.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Venue was introduced as a more affordable option in the subcompact SUV segment. It featured a modern and clean cabin with a surprising amount of space, especially in the second row. The Venue's upright design and large side windows provided excellent visibility. The trims ranged from the base SE to the fully loaded Denim, which featured a two-tone exterior and denim upholstery. The Venue's interior was thoughtfully designed, with a logical layout of controls and a combination of new technology with traditional buttons and dials. The automatic climate control on higher trims had a unique display that resembled a third dial, adding a touch of quirkiness to the otherwise straightforward design.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was renowned for its capability and confidence, powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, made the Land Cruiser a formidable vehicle both on and off the road. Its suspension system, featuring a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System and a Multi-Terrain Select control knob, allowed it to adapt to various terrains with ease. The Land Cruiser's approach, departure, and breakover angles, along with its ground clearance and fording depth, highlighted its off-road prowess. Despite its size, the Land Cruiser offered a serene and relaxing driving experience, with controlled body roll and excellent outward visibility.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was equipped with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT) in most trims, sending power to the front wheels. While the Venue lacked the power and capability of the Land Cruiser, it offered decent ride height and road feel. The Venue's acceleration was underwhelming, and the engine noise was noticeable, especially when trying to reach highway speeds. However, the Venue's fuel economy was impressive, with an average of 31.7 mpg in combined driving. The Venue's drive modes, including Normal, Snow, and Sport, provided some versatility, but its lack of power was a concern in tight spots and emergency situations.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was designed to be both a commuter and an overlander, with features like skid plates, tow hooks, and a roof rack. The standard model offered a three-row configuration with heated second-row seats and a split tailgate for easy loading and unloading. The Land Cruiser's interior was spacious, with four-zone automatic climate control and numerous cup and bottle holders. It could tow up to 8,100 pounds and came with an integrated towing receiver hitch. The split tailgate was a charming feature that added to the vehicle's practicality and appeal.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not as utilitarian as the Land Cruiser, offered a decent amount of interior space, especially in the front seats. The Venue's cargo space was limited, with 31.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. However, the Venue's control layout was excellent, with a combination of touchscreen and traditional buttons for ease of use. The automatic climate control on higher trims had a unique display that resembled a third dial, adding a touch of quirkiness to the otherwise straightforward design. The Venue's interior was thoughtfully designed, with a logical layout of controls and a combination of new technology with traditional buttons and dials.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Premium Audio, 14 JBL speakers, and integrated navigation. While it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it offered a Qi-compatible inductive charging station and an Enhanced Multi-Terrain Monitor camera. The touchscreen's split-screen mode was limited by its size, but the camera system was useful for navigating tight spaces and unfamiliar terrain.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue's touchscreen layout was logical and user-friendly, with large icons and fonts for easy readability. The screen placement allowed for easy use while driving, and the redundant hard buttons on the dash minimized distracted driving. The Venue's infotainment system was well-designed, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P, which included features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also had the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, and a range of other safety features. However, it had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, so there was no independent data on its crash-worthiness.

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