2020 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 had undergone a significant redesign in 2019, giving it a bolder and more angular appearance, which enhanced its rugged look. This redesign was aimed at maintaining its reputation for durability while adding a more adventurous aesthetic. The RAV4 Adventure trim improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The TRD Off-Road trim, introduced in 2020, further enhanced these capabilities with specialized wheels, tires, and suspension, making it suitable for a variety of terrains. The interior featured TRD logos, rubber mats, and a mix of quality materials, although some plastics appeared inexpensive. The RAV4's trim levels ranged from the base LE to the top-tier Limited, with the TRD Off-Road near the top, offering a blend of equipment and value.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup as a subcompact SUV, positioned as a more affordable option compared to the Kona. It featured a more upright design and unique touches like a contrasting white roof and a large chrome grille. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and clean cabin with ample head- and legroom, even in the second row. The Venue's trims included SE, SEL, and Denim, with the latter offering a two-tone exterior and denim upholstery. The SEL trim, recommended by CarGurus, provided a good balance of features and value, especially with the Premium package. The Venue's interior layout was praised for its simplicity and user-friendly controls, although the automatic climate control display could be confusing.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It also offered a hybrid version with 219 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though the TRD Off-Road trim was not available as a hybrid. The RAV4's 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and downhill assist control, making it capable on various terrains. Despite its off-road focus, the RAV4 was also practical for daily use, with features like a 360-degree camera system and a JBL premium sound system. However, its fuel economy fell short of the EPA estimate, averaging 23.4 mpg.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. It was available with a manual transmission on the base trim, but most trims came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT). The Venue was front-wheel drive only, lacking the AWD option found in some competitors. Its acceleration was underwhelming, and the engine was noisy, especially when pushed. The Venue offered drive modes like Normal, Snow, and Sport, but its performance remained modest. Despite its taller setup, the Venue handled corners well, though it transmitted road imperfections to the cabin. Fuel economy was a strong point, with the CVT version achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit, with a low and sporty driving position in the 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats. The rear seat provided ample legroom for adults and children, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for convenience. Interior storage was generous, with a dashboard shelf and a cargo capacity of 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, offered decent utility for its size. It had 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, less than the Hyundai Kona. However, with the rear seats up, both vehicles offered around 19 cubic feet. The Venue provided ample head- and legroom in the front seats, even for taller drivers, and decent legroom in the rear. The control layout was praised for its simplicity, with traditional buttons and dials for key functions. The automatic climate control display on higher trims could be confusing, but overall, the Venue's interior was well thought out for everyday use.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display, depending on the trim. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available with a free trial period. The system's voice-recognition technology was impressive, accurately responding to commands. The optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable camera settings.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Hyundai's logical touchscreen layout minimized distracted driving, with large icons and fonts and redundant hard buttons for major functions. The screen placement allowed for easy use while driving, with a design that partially extended from the dash for finger bracing.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring advanced safety features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. It also offered a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though headlight performance varied by model.

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