2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a compact crossover that managed to maintain its stylish appeal over time. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a robust appearance that belied its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design, while roof rails and wide-spaced letters on the tailgate added to its crossover credentials. The Venue's exterior updates from the previous model year were minimal, focusing on wheel upgrades and standardizing features on the SEL trim. Inside, the Venue offered a modern look despite its budget-friendly materials, with ample light entering the cabin through large windows and a sunroof, although the latter appeared somewhat cheap. The interior was practical, with heated seats and a straightforward design, making it a comfortable space despite its economical build.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX presented a modern and sporty design, especially after its 2020 facelift. It stood out in the midsize luxury crossover segment with its aggressive styling and sharp character lines. The RX offered a variety of trims, including the performance-oriented F Sport, which featured unique design elements like 20-inch wheels and a distinctive front fascia. The interior of the RX was luxurious, with a range of color combinations and high-quality materials. F Sport models added a sporty touch with specific badging and trim. Despite its dated center stack, the RX's cabin was comfortable and quiet, providing a serene driving experience. The RX also offered a limited-edition Black Line trim with exclusive features for those seeking a high-end appearance.

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 designed for efficiency rather than performance, and while it didn't offer thrilling acceleration, it was adequate for city driving. The Venue was front-wheel drive only, with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) managing power delivery. Despite its modest power, the Venue's lightweight construction allowed it to feel lively in urban settings, although it lacked the power for confident highway driving.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added electric motors for a combined output of 308 horsepower. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and hesitant acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving experience remained more focused on comfort than sportiness. The RX excelled in ride comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency varied, with the RX 350 achieving 23 mpg combined, while the hybrid RX 450h offered 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with practical storage solutions like a tray ahead of the gear selector and a small center console bin. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer journeys. Cargo space was modest, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded down. The Venue's cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport, making it less suitable for those prioritizing storage.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered a spacious interior, with 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the two-row model. Front seats provided generous headroom and legroom, while the rear seats were comfortable for four adults. The three-row RX 350L had limited cargo space with all seats upright, offering only 7.45 cubic feet. With the third row down, cargo capacity increased to 23.03 cubic feet, and up to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows folded. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holders, although the rear seats didn't fold completely flat.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its technology offerings, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided easy access to media and settings, while Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard. The infotainment system allowed for driver profile customization, appealing to families with multiple drivers.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was ergonomically challenging, with a lip obstructing access to icons. The touchpad interface was frustrating to use, but the RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, wireless charging, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options, such as remote engine start and vehicle settings.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered 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 and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, demonstrating its ability to protect occupants despite its small size.

The 2022 Lexus RX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, although it missed the "plus" designation due to its headlights. It received four stars overall from the NHTSA, with a five-star rating in side crash tests.