2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson presented a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that offered a commanding view of the road, complemented by a modern and attractive dashboard design. The tech features were seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic, with every button and dial easily accessible. The Tucson was available in several trims, including SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate, each offering a range of features from basic 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system to more advanced options like a 360-degree camera system and a panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted a stylish design that seemed timeless. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a unique appearance that belied its small size. The Venue's grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design. 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 like 17-inch alloy wheels and advanced driver-assistance systems. Despite its affordable price, the Venue's interior managed to look modern, with plenty of light entering the cabin through its large windows and thin A-pillars.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, which felt underwhelming in both city and highway driving. The more powerful 2.4-liter engine, available on the SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims, delivered 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, offering a livelier performance around town. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered either front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Tucson's ride was comfortable and refined, with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

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, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission, provided adequate power for the Venue's lightweight frame, making it feel sprightly in lower-speed areas. However, the Venue lacked options for more powerful engines or all-wheel drive, offering only front-wheel drive with a selectable drive mode for snowy conditions. Despite its modest power, the Venue's light weight allowed it to perform adequately in urban settings.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it provided sufficient space for weekend trips. The Tucson's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with ample headroom and legroom, while the rear seats were adequate for adults on shorter trips. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, including trays for phones and other small items.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its compact size, provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, along with decent storage options. The center console's bin was small but functional, and the automatic climate control efficiently managed the cabin's temperature. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer drives. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded, lagging behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The system was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen positioned between air vents, with physical buttons for easy access to media and settings. The high-resolution screen supported swipe functionality, and the infotainment system allowed for driver profile customization. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless CarPlay expected for the base SE trim in the future.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came with standard safety features such as 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's safety systems were well-integrated, avoiding intrusive alerts. In NHTSA testing, the Venue received four out of five stars for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions and rollover.