2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

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 robust appearance that belied its compact size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the car's design, while roof rails and distinctive split headlights added to its appeal. 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 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 comfort, despite the visible mechanical tracks of the optional power sunroof. The Venue's interior was practical, with thin A-pillars and large windows enhancing visibility, making it a pleasant environment for both driver and passengers.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE, particularly the AMG GLE 53 Coupe, was a testament to luxury and performance. Its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork gave it a sophisticated appearance, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker from certain angles. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, with an EQ Boost mild-hybrid system for added power and fuel efficiency. The vehicle's performance was further enhanced by a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, and AMG Dynamic Select driving modes.

Inside, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe was as luxurious as expected, with high-end materials and a high-tech appearance. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design, along with Nappa premium leather and ambient lighting, created a sumptuous environment. The vehicle's complexity was masked by a facade of simplicity, with a lack of traditional controls requiring some acclimation. However, once familiar, the GLE Coupe offered a distraction-free driving experience, with features like speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering and AMG Active Ride Control suspension enhancing both urban and highway driving.

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, making it feel lively in lower-speed areas despite its modest output. The Venue was only available with front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) was the sole transmission option for 2021, as the six-speed manual was discontinued. While the Venue's performance was adequate for its size, it was not designed for thrilling driving experiences, but rather for efficient urban commuting.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe offered a robust performance with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The EQ Boost mild-hybrid system provided additional power when needed and helped conserve fuel, with an EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Sport+ for high-performance driving. The vehicle's performance was further enhanced by AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes, making it nimble and composed in various driving conditions.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a practical interior with ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, along with decent storage space. The center console's bin was small but functional, and automatic climate control effectively managed the cabin's temperature. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults, and cargo space was limited to 18.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them down. Compared to its competitors, the Venue offered less cargo volume, making it less suitable for those prioritizing storage space.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, while technically seating five, was more comfortable for four passengers, especially with its sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats offering numerous adjustments. The back seat provided ample room for adult passengers, and the cargo hold offered 27.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The GLE Coupe's interior was further enhanced by available comfort upgrades, including heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, a four-zone climate control system, and an in-cabin fragrance system, creating a luxurious and comfortable environment.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high resolution and intuitive controls. Physical buttons provided quick access to media sources, navigation, and settings, while 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 interface was designed for simplicity and ease of use, with charming details like tube-amp-style radio station displays.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came standard with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. MBUX was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition technology and multiple interaction methods. Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, and an upgraded Burmester 3D surround-sound system, enhancing the GLE Coupe's technological appeal.

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 with rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue's safety systems were seamlessly integrated, minimizing distractions for the driver. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars in the NHTSA's driver-side and passenger-side front collision tests and for rollover.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a "pink noise" tone to protect hearing during a collision. The optional Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional safety systems, including Traffic Jam Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. The GLE Coupe's safety systems were refined and accurate, providing a high level of driver support and collision avoidance. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.