2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a classic yet modern SUV aesthetic, reminiscent of Ford's historical approach to vehicle design. It shared a familial resemblance with other Ford SUVs, characterized by sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages. The Explorer offered a variety of trim levels, each with unique grille designs ranging from black to full chrome, and prices that escalated from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model featuring cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and functional, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a center console with a rotary gearshift, enhancing storage space. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering better equipment and finishes, while higher trims like the Limited and ST provided leather upholstery and more luxurious features.

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 steep tailgate gave it a unique presence that belied its small size. The Venue's grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design. The exterior updates from the 2020 model included new alloy wheels for the SE and SEL 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 economical yet modern, with plastic materials but plenty of light due to its design. The cabin felt spacious, and the heated seats in the SEL trim added comfort despite the Venue's budget-friendly build.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds and was powered by a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride's V6, despite the Explorer's heavier weight. All trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, producing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The sport-oriented ST trim delivered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, providing the most engaging driving experience. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was designed for economy rather than performance, and no other powertrain options were available. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) managed the power adequately. Despite its modest power, the Venue's lightweight design, at 2,612 pounds, allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas. However, it lacked the horsepower needed for more thrilling highway driving.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, surpassing some competitors but falling short of others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row in use, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was competitive with smaller SUVs.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, given its compact size, provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, along with decent storage options. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded. This was less than most hatchbacks and its direct competitors, such as the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport, which offered more cargo volume.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, featuring AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and power outlets, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim upwards.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its tech offerings, despite its low price. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard, with physical buttons for easy access to media and settings. The interface was user-friendly, with high-resolution graphics and smooth swipe functionality. The infotainment system supported driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue SE was set to receive wireless CarPlay in the future, although the SEL and Denim trims would not.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's base trim included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its small size, offered a solid array of safety features. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA's front collision and rollover tests, demonstrating its capability to protect occupants.