2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed to defy the typical aging process of car designs. 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, 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 switch to alloy wheels across all trims. Inside, the Venue offered a modern look despite its budget-friendly materials, with plenty of light entering the cabin through its large windows and thin A-pillars.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT's design was less impressive, particularly with its XRT treatment, which added side steps that hindered entry and exit. The XRT trim was one of five gasoline options, priced between the SEL and the turbocharged Limited and Calligraphy trims. The test vehicle's Portofino Gray paint and black cloth interior offered little visual contrast, resembling an old black-and-white image. However, the interior's thoughtful design and quality materials made it a pleasant space, even if it didn't match the upscale feel of higher trims. The Santa Fe's cabin was well-insulated from road noise, and its suspension provided a comfortable ride over various surfaces.

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 was adequate for the Venue's lightweight build, allowing it to move sprightly in lower-speed areas. However, it lacked the power for more thrilling driving experiences, especially on highways. The Venue was only available with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission, which managed the power adequately. Despite its modest performance, the Venue's light weight made it feel lively when accelerating from a stop.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While this engine was sufficient for everyday driving, it struggled with more demanding tasks like climbing hills or quick acceleration. The Santa Fe's eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with pushbutton controls for gear selection. The SUV offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for better traction. The Santa Fe's ride quality was commendable, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin, though its handling and steering were unremarkable. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage options, including a tray for small items. 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, lagging behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport. The Venue's hatchback design offered some versatility, but it was not the best choice for those prioritizing cargo capacity.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered a more spacious interior, with dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air conditioning vents. The driver's seat was eight-way power-adjustable and heated, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided excellent accommodations for families, with ample legroom and features like rear side-window shades and USB charging ports. The Santa Fe's cargo space was generous, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with them folded. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" added convenience, though it occasionally opened unintentionally.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided easy access to media and settings, and the system supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue's infotainment system allowed for driver profile customization, appealing to families with multiple drivers.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs for volume and tuning, and clean on-screen graphics. While the XRT trim lacked the upgraded infotainment system available on higher trims, it offered digital key technology and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped 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, demonstrating its ability to protect occupants despite its small size.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The SUV also featured Junction Turning Detection and Safe Exit Assist, enhancing safety in various scenarios. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.