2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed to defy the passage of time with its design. Its upright stance, almost horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a unique presence that belied its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the car's design, and the split headlights and patterned taillights added to its charm. 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 white roof and unique paint job, was particularly appealing to those drawn to the Venue's fashion-forward style.

Inside, the Venue offered a modern look despite its budget-friendly build. While the interior was dominated by plastic, the design allowed for plenty of light, making the cabin feel airy. The SEL trim provided heated seats and a power sunroof, although the latter appeared somewhat cheap. The Venue's interior was practical, with thin A-pillars and large windows enhancing visibility. Despite its low-cost materials, the Venue managed to offer a comfortable and modern driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, was a midsize SUV that seemed to offer more than its price suggested. With a choice of two new gasoline engines and a hybrid powertrain, the Santa Fe provided a range of options for buyers. The exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, giving each trim level a unique character. Inside, the Santa Fe moved upmarket with new colors, patterns, and textures, and a bridge-style center console that housed various controls. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded quality with its premium leather and panoramic sunroof.

The Santa Fe's interior was spacious and comfortable, with dual-zone automatic climate control and stain-resistant fabric on cloth seats. The Calligraphy trim took luxury to the next level with a suede-like headliner and quilted Nappa leather. The SUV offered plenty of storage and comfort features, including heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sliding rear bench seat. The Santa Fe's cargo space was generous, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This small, economical engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, as all-wheel drive was not available. The Venue's lightweight design allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas, despite its modest power output. However, it was not the most thrilling driving experience, and those seeking more power would need to look elsewhere.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter focusing on fuel efficiency. The turbocharged engine provided impressive performance, with a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a surprisingly spacious front cabin, with ample headroom and legroom. Storage was decent, with a handy tray ahead of the gear selector and a small center console bin. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space was also limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded. Compared to its competitors, the Venue lagged in cargo capacity, making it less suitable for those prioritizing storage.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, provided a comfortable and spacious interior. Dual-zone automatic climate control and stain-resistant fabric were standard, with leather available on higher trims. The Calligraphy trim offered a luxurious experience with premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe's rear seat was particularly comfortable, with ample legroom and features like air-conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. Cargo space was generous, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with them folded, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering high resolution and quick swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided easy access to media sources, and the system supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue's infotainment system allowed for driver profiles, making it convenient for families with multiple drivers.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch head-up display. The basic 8-inch touchscreen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch system provided wired versions and enhanced voice-recognition technology. The Santa Fe also featured Blue Link connected services, offering a range of capabilities, including remote engine start and climate control adjustment. However, a WiFi hotspot was not available.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions and rollover.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist and rear-occupant alert systems were also available. The Santa Fe's Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist added to its safety credentials. The IIHS named the Santa Fe a "Top Safety Pick" when equipped with LED projector headlights.