2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed to defy the passage of time with its design. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a robust appearance that belied its compact size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the car's design, while roof rails and distinctive split headlights added to its appeal. The Venue's exterior updates from the 2020 model were minimal, with the most notable change being the replacement of 15-inch steel wheels with alloys on the base SE trim. The top-line Denim trim, with its unique paint job and white roof, was particularly eye-catching, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features previously part of an extra-cost package.

Inside, the Venue's cabin was a mix of practicality and modernity, despite its budget-friendly materials. While plastic was prevalent, the design allowed for ample light, creating an airy feel. The SEL trim's heated seats and modern look were highlights, although the sunroof's visible mechanical tracks detracted from the overall impression. The Venue's interior was functional, with thin A-pillars and large windows enhancing visibility, making it feel more spacious than its dimensions suggested.

The 2021 Ford Escape, on the other hand, presented a blend of SUV and hatchback aesthetics. Its curved front and sleek roofline gave it a car-like appearance, setting it apart from more rugged competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages across its trims, including the SE Sport Appearance Package, SEL Stealth AWD Package, and Titanium Elite Package, each offering unique upgrades like 19-inch alloy wheels and premium upholstery options. However, the interior design lacked cohesion, with some odd choices that didn't align with the exterior's sleekness. Despite this, the Escape's interior space was commendable, with generous headroom and legroom, especially in the rear, thanks to a sliding bench seat.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was powered by 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 (CVT), was the sole powertrain option, as Hyundai discontinued the manual transmission for 2021. While the Venue's performance was modest, its lightweight construction allowed it to feel lively in urban settings, despite lacking the power for more spirited driving. Front-wheel drive was the only drivetrain available, with no all-wheel-drive option, although a selectable drive mode for snowy conditions was offered.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrains, including two gasoline engines and hybrid options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, delivering 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could opt for a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, available only with all-wheel drive. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, offering a combined output of 200 horsepower. The Escape's hybrid models provided a smooth transition between electric and gasoline power, although the chassis tuning left room for improvement. The Escape also offered a Class 2 Trailer Tow Package, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds for the 2.0-liter engine.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a surprisingly spacious front cabin, with ample headroom and legroom. Storage solutions were practical, with a handy tray for small items and a center console bin for essentials. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer journeys. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded, falling short compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport.

The 2021 Ford Escape excelled in interior space, with generous headroom and legroom in both rows. The sliding rear seat allowed for flexible legroom or cargo space, with up to 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models. Cargo capacity was competitive, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats in gasoline models, expandable to 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. Hybrid models had slightly less space due to battery placement, but the Escape still offered a practical and spacious interior.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its tech offerings, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with a user-friendly interface. Physical buttons provided quick access to media and settings, while the high-resolution screen supported swipe functionality. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with customizable driver profiles for personalized settings. The Venue's tech was a highlight, offering modern features at an affordable price.

The 2021 Ford Escape used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with a base 4.2-inch touchscreen on the Escape S model. Upgrading to the SE trim added an 8-inch touchscreen with pinch-and-zoom capability and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Titanium trim offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, the Escape lacked some of the latest tech features found in competitors, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came equipped with a suite of standard safety features, including 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 NHTSA's front collision and rollover tests, demonstrating its commitment to safety despite its small size.

The 2021 Ford Escape earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded the Escape a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, offering blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist.