2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was a standout in the midsize SUV category, with a design that was anything but boring. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille gave it a distinctive presence. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and taillights that echoed Lexus models, contributed to its unique look. The Highlander XSE trim added a sportier appearance with a restyled front end, 20-inch wheels, and a more aggressive lower spoiler. Inside, the Limited trim offered a luxurious experience with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and elegant wood details, making it a comfortable choice for families.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed timeless. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a unique shape that belied its small size. The Venue's grille was well-proportioned, and its split headlights and patterned taillights added to its charm. The top-line Denim trim stood out with a white roof and unique paint job, 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, with plenty of light and heated seats in the SEL trim.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. While not designed for high-speed thrills, the Highlander provided smooth and reliable performance, comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The XSE trim offered a slightly sportier ride with retuned suspension and steering, but the Highlander remained a comfortable family vehicle.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered only front-wheel drive. While not the most powerful in its segment, the Venue's lightweight design allowed for nimble handling in urban settings. The absence of a turbocharger or larger engine options limited its performance, but the Venue's compact size made it feel lively in city driving.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space, with ample legroom for second-row passengers and adjustable seats to accommodate third-row occupants. It offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down. The Highlander's interior featured convenient storage solutions, including shelves for devices and a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its compact size, provided good headroom and legroom in the front seats. Storage options included a tray for small items and a modest center console bin. The back seat was tighter, suitable for short trips, and cargo space was limited to 18.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them down. While it offered less cargo space than competitors, the Venue's hatchback design allowed for some versatility.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch option on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was visually impressive, though some apps were limited in display size. The JBL audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with a high-resolution display and intuitive interface. Physical buttons provided easy access to media and settings, and the system supported driver profiles for personalized settings. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless CarPlay expected in future models.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and intersection support. Additional features included road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, providing a reasonable level of safety for its size.