2022 Hyundai Palisade 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 design, while roof rails and wide-spaced letters at the back added to its crossover appeal. The Venue's headlights and taillights featured interesting patterns, and the 2021 model saw minor updates, such as the replacement of 15-inch steel wheels with alloys and the inclusion of 17-inch alloys on higher trims. Inside, the Venue offered a modern look despite its budget-friendly materials, with plenty of light entering the cabin and features like heated seats in the SEL trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade presented an elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of Hyundai's designs. Its prominent grille, crisp shoulder lines, and sculpted wheel arches added visual interest, while a continuous strip of glass gave the impression of a floating rear roof. The Palisade's LED headlights and taillights provided a signature look, and its 18-inch alloy wheels were standard on SE and SEL models. Inside, the Palisade was polished and elegant, with high-quality materials and finishes. The horizontally arrayed screen and beefy center console anchored the dash, while the spacious second and third rows offered comfort and convenience. The Palisade's fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

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 designed to provide just enough power for the Venue's lightweight frame, which weighed in at 2,612 pounds. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) offered adequate performance, though it lacked the thrill of more powerful options. Despite its modest power, the Venue's light weight allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas, although it was not the most confident on the highway.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, with its gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience without the lag associated with turbocharged engines. The Palisade's V6 was capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, and its four-wheel independent suspension contributed to its nimble handling. Despite its size, the Palisade's weight ranged from 4,127 to 4,387 pounds, allowing it to maintain a balance between power and efficiency.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a surprisingly spacious front cabin, with ample headroom and legroom. Storage options included 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 down. Compared to its competitors, the Venue lagged in cargo capacity, making it less ideal for those prioritizing storage space.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality, offering comfortable seating across all three rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were notably comfortable. The front row featured ample storage, including two compartments in the center console and a locking glove box. Cargo space was generous, with 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. The Palisade's shift-by-wire setup and intuitive controls added to its user-friendly design.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering a user-friendly interface with physical buttons for quick access to media and settings. The infotainment system supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with the ability to set up driver profiles for personalized radio presets. The Venue's tech features were impressive for its price point, providing a high-resolution screen and responsive swipe functionality.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess, with a standard display audio system on SE and SEL models and a high-resolution touchscreen on Limited and Calligraphy models. The premium audio system included 12 speakers and Clari-Fi music restoration technology. The infotainment system supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with multiple USB ports and a Qi wireless charging pad. The Palisade also featured Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display on higher trims.

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. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA's front collision and rollover tests, offering a reasonable level of safety for its size.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted an extensive list of safety features, including seven airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Advanced driver assistance features included blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five stars from NHTSA, highlighting its strong safety credentials.