2022 Subaru Outback 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, 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 car's design, and the split headlights and triangular taillight patterns added to its charm. 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 appealing to those drawn to the Venue's fashion-forward style.

Inside, the Venue's cabin was a testament to Hyundai's ability to create a modern feel without a high price tag. While the materials were inexpensive, the design was far from spartan. The Venue's shape allowed for plenty of natural light, and features like heated seats in the SEL trim added comfort. However, the interior was not without its drawbacks, such as the visible mechanical tracks of the optional power sunroof. Despite the abundance of plastic, the Venue managed to maintain a modern aesthetic, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged and adventurous take on the popular Outback model. With a 9.5-inch ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers, it was designed to handle more challenging terrains. The unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its distinct look, while the roof rack system supported a 700-pound static load, perfect for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior was equipped with heated seats, a black headliner, and Gunmetal Gray trim, creating a cohesive and functional design.

The Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize crossover, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The CVT, while not as engaging as a dual-clutch transmission, offered eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters for manual control. The Wilderness trim's suspension and traction systems, along with its all-terrain tires, made it the most capable Outback ever, excelling in off-road conditions. On pavement, it felt quick but was limited by its tires, while off-road, it proved adept at handling challenging trails.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft 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 and Ford EcoSport, although it lacked options for more powerful engines. Front-wheel drive was standard, with no all-wheel drive option, and a CVT managed the power delivery. Despite its modest power, the Venue's light weight allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the 3,896-pound crossover, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The CVT, while not as engaging as a dual-clutch transmission, offered eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters for manual control. The Wilderness trim's suspension and traction systems, along with its all-terrain tires, made it the most capable Outback ever, excelling in off-road conditions. On pavement, it felt quick but was limited by its tires, while off-road, it proved adept at handling challenging trails.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, 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. 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 offered less cargo volume.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior was equipped with heated seats, a black headliner, and Gunmetal Gray trim, creating a cohesive and functional design. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the front passenger enjoyed 8-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three kids, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with it folded flat, with waterproof material covering the seatbacks and a waterproof cargo tray.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high resolution and quick swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided easy access to media sources, navigation, and settings, while Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard. The Venue's infotainment system allowed for customized driver profiles, appealing to families with multiple drivers.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for volume and temperature control, most functions required the use of the touchscreen. Voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came 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 NHTSA's front collision and rollover tests.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also had steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA.