2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since 2014, continued to impress with its luxurious and modern design. The 2018 refresh introduced a dual-screen center console, a hallmark of Land Rover interiors, and carried over into 2021. This model offered a variety of trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and a premium sound system, to the high-end Autobiography with 22-way power-adjustable seats and power soft-close doors. The SVR and SVR Carbon Edition trims catered to performance enthusiasts with a powerful V8 engine and sport seats. The Range Rover Sport's interior was a blend of luxury and technology, with features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available across the lineup.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish and compact crossover that managed to maintain its appeal over time. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a distinctive look that belied its small size. The Venue's grille was tastefully sized, and its roof rails added a touch of practicality. The 2021 model saw minor updates, such as the replacement of 15-inch steel wheels with alloys on the base SE trim. The top-line Denim trim stood out with its unique paint job and white roof, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features like 17-inch alloy wheels and advanced driver-assistance systems. Despite its budget-friendly price, the Venue's interior was modern and functional, with ample light and a greenhouse-like feel.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options to suit different driving preferences. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more powerful P400 version, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid generating 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine in the HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition boasted 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, along with height-adjustable air suspension and a Terrain Response system. The Range Rover Sport excelled in off-road capabilities and could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, as all-wheel drive was not available. The Venue's performance was adequate for its size, with its lightweight design allowing for nimble handling in lower-speed areas. However, it lacked the power and options of its competitors, such as the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport. Despite this, the Venue's 2,612-pound weight made it feel lively when accelerating from a stoplight.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a spacious and luxurious interior, with a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats were folded. With the second row in use, it provided 31.7 cubic feet, and with the optional third row, it offered 10.8 cubic feet. The first and second rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was best suited for children. The Range Rover Sport's interior was a blend of space and lavish appointments, making it suitable for road trips and extra luggage.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, given its compact size, provided decent headroom and legroom in the front seats, along with practical storage solutions. The center console's bin was small but functional, and the automatic climate control efficiently managed the cabin's temperature. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults, but sufficient headroom. Cargo space was 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, making it less ideal for those prioritizing storage capacity.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen handling climate controls and vehicle settings, and the upper screen dedicated to the infotainment system. While the system had a learning curve and some bugs in earlier models, it offered functionality with integrated dials for various controls. The upper touchscreen allowed for easy navigation between menus and supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite its complexity, the system was functional, though not the best on the market.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its technology offerings, especially considering its price point. An 8-inch touchscreen sat atop the dash, flanked by air vents, and was complemented by physical buttons for easy access to media and settings. The interface was user-friendly, with high-resolution graphics and responsive swipe functionality. The Venue's infotainment system supported driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL and Denim trims offered a more advanced system, though wireless CarPlay was reserved for the base SE trim in future updates.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Additional features like a surround-view camera, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display were available for enhanced safety.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its small size, offered a robust suite of safety features. Standard across all trims were 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, providing alerts without being intrusive. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for front collision and rollover safety.