2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 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, 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. 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 eye-catching, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features like 17-inch alloy wheels and advanced driver-assistance systems.

Inside, the Venue's cabin was a testament to Hyundai's ability to create a modern feel without a hefty price tag. While the interior was dominated by plastic, the design allowed for plenty of natural light, making the space feel open and airy. The SEL trim's heated seats and modern design elements added to the overall appeal, despite the visible mechanical tracks of the optional power sunroof. The Venue's interior was practical, with a focus on functionality over luxury, making it a sensible choice for budget-conscious buyers.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, capturing the essence of luxury SUVs. Its design was a masterful blend of the big Range Rover's iconic profile, scaled into a sporty package. The Velar's long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature Land Rover grille were unmistakable, while subtle adjustments like the sloping roof and wide shoulder crease added to its streamlined appearance. The R-Dynamic trim introduced bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper, enhancing its visual appeal. The interior was equally impressive, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The three screens, including two touchscreens and a reconfigurable instrument panel, offered sharp graphics and sophisticated functionality.

The Velar's infotainment system, Pivi Pro, simplified the layout with logical arrangements and customizable features. It included a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and advanced navigation capabilities. The system's reliability was a pleasant surprise, given Land Rover's history of buggy software. The Velar's interior was a blend of style and functionality, with features like a heated windshield and 360-degree cameras adding to its appeal. However, the lack of a discrete parking brake control and the bulky hand grip on the shifter were notable design flaws that detracted from the overall experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was powered by 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 move sprightly through lower-speed areas, despite its modest power output. However, the lack of turbocharging or larger engine options meant that those seeking more performance would need to look elsewhere. The Venue's performance was adequate for city driving, but it lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport in terms of power.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a driving experience unlike any previous Land Rover. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, delivering 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, the Velar provided average response and decent acceleration for its 4,100-pound weight. The optional air suspension with adaptive dampers offered a plush ride, while the Terrain Response system added versatility with six driving modes. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, provided a significant performance boost, making the Velar a compelling choice for luxury buyers seeking power and refinement.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage space for its size. The center console's bin was small but functional, and the automatic climate control effectively managed the cabin's temperature. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer drives. Cargo space was also limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded. Compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport, the Venue fell short in cargo capacity, making it less suitable for those prioritizing storage space.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs and only slightly roomier than compact SUVs. The stylish exterior design compromised headroom and visibility, with thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was limited, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's design flaws included the lack of a discrete parking brake control and a bulky hand grip on the shifter, which obstructed access to volume and climate controls. Despite these issues, the Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system and high-quality materials added to its overall appeal.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its technology offerings, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and intuitive swipe functionality. The interface was designed for simplicity, with physical buttons for quick access to media sources and settings. The infotainment system allowed for driver profiles and included standard features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue's tech package was a standout feature, especially considering its budget-friendly price.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system exceeded expectations with its reliability and user-friendly design. The system featured a logical layout with customizable options, voice activation, and advanced navigation capabilities. Additional features included a PM2.5 air filter, heated windshield, and 360-degree cameras. The Velar's infotainment system was a highlight, offering a seamless and sophisticated user experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came 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 with rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received four out of five stars in the NHTSA's driver-side and passenger-side front collision tests, as well as for rollover.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.