2021 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Toyota Venza, upon its release, was often likened to a Lexus in terms of its aesthetic appeal. Its design, from the grille to the elongated profile, closely resembled the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept, blurring the lines between the two brands. The Venza was available in three trim levels—LE, XLE, and Limited—and offered a choice of seven paint colors. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, a wireless charging pad, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Venza Limited trim added a digital rearview mirror, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and the option for a Star Gaze panoramic roof.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, as the first vehicle of the new Ioniq lineup, showcased a polished exterior with minimal character lines. Its design, referred to as Parametric Pixel, was reminiscent of a concept car with its extensive use of LED pixels in all lighting elements. The Ioniq 5's interior, however, was more subdued, featuring a "Living Space" theme with a focus on comfort and sustainability. The cabin offered a Relaxation mode for the driver's seat and utilized sustainable materials like recycled fibers and bio-materials. The Ioniq 5's design was both futuristic and functional, providing a unique blend of style and practicality.

The 2021 Toyota Venza was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system, while not the most powerful in its class, provided smooth acceleration and confident handling. The Venza excelled in fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, 37 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg combined. Toyota backed its hybrid powertrain with a 10-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile Hybrid System warranty.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base model featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 horsepower and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range variants provided 225 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD version delivered 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on various terrains and offered four drive modes, including Sport mode. Its single-speed transmission and paddle shifters allowed for adjustable regenerative braking, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered a unique interior design with premium appointments and a deep center console. The cabin was spacious, with comfortable seating for five adults. The Venza provided more headroom than the RAV4 and nearly equal shoulder and hip room. However, its cargo space was limited to 55.1 cubic feet, which was less than some competitors. Despite this, the Venza's cargo space was sufficient for daily driving needs.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform, maximized interior space with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. It offered a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5's cabin featured a moveable center console and comfortable leatherette seats. The interior design prioritized passenger comfort, providing ample space and soft touchpoints throughout.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured an 8-inch infotainment system on the LE and XLE trims, while the Limited trim boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune system, though not the most user-friendly, included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. A nine-speaker JBL audio system was available on higher trims. Toyota also offered connected services like Safety Connect and Remote Connect, enhancing the Venza's technological appeal.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 impressed with its advanced technology, including a high-voltage energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, and over-the-air updates. Its 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like pre-collision warning, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with upgrades available on higher trims. The Venza's safety features were reliable and non-intrusive, providing peace of mind for drivers.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 included Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features encompassed blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also offered Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. While safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested high marks for the Ioniq 5.