2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed to defy the passage of time with its design. Its upright stance, nearly horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a robust appearance that belied its small 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 unique paint job and white roof, 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, which we tested, included features like heated seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, adding a touch of comfort. However, the sunroof's visible mechanical tracks detracted from the overall aesthetic. Despite its low-cost materials, the Venue managed to provide a pleasant driving environment.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, featured subtle yet impactful updates to its exterior, including new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a redesigned grille. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, addressing previous complaints about the seating position.

Mazda's decision to standardize all-wheel drive across the CX-5 lineup was a significant change for 2022. The CX-5 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo offered different powertrains, with the Turbo providing a more exhilarating driving experience. The revised six-speed automatic transmission and increased structural rigidity contributed to a quieter and smoother ride. The CX-5's driving dynamics were further enhanced by the Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) system, offering Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings. Overall, the 2022 CX-5 delivered a driving experience that aligned with Mazda's reputation for sporty handling.

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 adequate power for the Venue's lightweight frame, which weighed in at 2,612 pounds. The Venue's performance was comparable to competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Ford EcoSport, and Toyota C-HR, although it lacked options for more powerful engines. Front-wheel drive was the only drivetrain available, with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) managing power delivery. While the Venue's performance was not thrilling, its light weight allowed for a lively feel in lower-speed areas.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5 S model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup, contributing to a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg. The 2.5 Turbo model, running on premium gas, delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, with a slightly lower fuel economy of 24 mpg. The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced by increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, resulting in a quieter and smoother ride. The Mi-Drive system offered different drive modes, further improving the CX-5's sporty handling.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with a decent amount of storage space. 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. Cargo space was also limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport, the Venue offered less cargo volume.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating with new furnishings. The front seats provided improved comfort and support, and the driving position was sportier. The back seat remained snug, but features like heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents enhanced passenger comfort. The control layout, however, was a source of frustration due to the non-touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system. Cargo space was adequate, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. While these numbers were competitive with entry-level luxury SUVs, they were less impressive compared to mainstream compact crossovers.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided quick access to media sources, and the system allowed for driver profile customization. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless CarPlay available on the base SE trim in the future.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. Instead, users had to rely on center console and steering wheel controls. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the lack of natural voice recognition was a drawback. Starting with the 2.5 S Premium trim, the CX-5 included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, which delivered satisfactory audio quality.

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. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions, as well as rollover.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights and a surround-view camera system. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), highlighting its strong safety credentials.