2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2022 Volvo XC60

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, and the split headlights and unique taillight patterns added to its charm. The Venue's exterior updates from the 2020 model were minimal, with the most notable change being the switch to alloy wheels across all trims. The top-line Denim trim, with its distinctive white roof, was particularly eye-catching, while the SEL trim offered great value with its standard features.

Inside, the Venue was a testament to how an inexpensive car could still feel modern and functional. While the interior was dominated by plastic, the design allowed for plenty of natural light, creating a bright and airy cabin. The SEL trim offered heated seats and a modern look despite its budget-friendly materials. The Venue's interior was practical, with thin A-pillars and large windows enhancing visibility, although some elements, like the sunroof's visible mechanical tracks, hinted at cost-cutting measures.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC60 featured subtle styling updates that enhanced its sporty appearance. The new front fascia with "air blades" and a reworked grille, which housed heated sensors, gave the XC60 a modern edge. The rear bumper design hid the tailpipes, and new wheel designs were introduced across the lineup. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a solid foundation.

The interior of the XC60 remained largely unchanged, maintaining its clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design test car featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, adding flair to the otherwise subdued interior. The Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, providing a touch of luxury. Overall, the XC60's interior was a blend of modern technology and classic Volvo design elements.

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 designed to provide just enough 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 or all-wheel drive. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) offered adequate performance for city driving, but it wasn't the most thrilling experience on the highway.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 options. The B5 powertrain combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system, delivering 258 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The B6 version added an electric supercharger, boosting output to 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, while the B6 came standard with all-wheel drive. The XC60's mild-hybrid system provided smooth power delivery, and the B6 R-Design model impressed with its performance and body control. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid offered even more power, with 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, while the Polestar Engineered version pushed output to 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet, delivering a more performance-oriented experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a surprisingly spacious front cabin, with ample headroom and legroom for its size. Storage options included a handy tray ahead of the gear selector and a small center console bin. The Venue's automatic climate control effectively managed the cabin temperature, but the basic cupholders lacked grips, making spills likely on bumpy roads. The rear seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults, and cargo space was modest at 18.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them down. The Venue's cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport, making it less ideal for those prioritizing storage space.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained its competitive edge in passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom. However, rear-seat headroom was limited, tying with the Audi Q5 for the least in the segment. Cargo space for mild-hybrid models was 21.6 cubic feet with the seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them down, while plug-in hybrid models offered slightly less. Despite the somewhat limited cargo capacity, the XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors. The XC60's interior space and design catered to those seeking a comfortable and luxurious driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its tech offerings, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. The infotainment system included physical buttons for easy access to media and settings, along with customizable driver profiles. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless CarPlay planned for the base SE trim. The Venue's tech package was a highlight, offering modern conveniences at an affordable price.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system. The system included Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot were standard, with options for a head-up display and premium audio systems. The new layout and graphics were user-friendly, although Apple users might find the Google-centric design less appealing. The XC60's tech suite offered a comprehensive and modern experience, with over-the-air updates ensuring it stayed current.

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 and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue's safety systems were well-integrated, avoiding intrusive alerts. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions and rollover.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. New for 2022 were the Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. The XC60's Pilot Assist system combined adaptive cruise control and lane centering for highway driving. While the IIHS hadn't rated the 2022 model, the 2021 XC60 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating, and the NHTSA awarded it five stars overall.