2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was a testament to Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group's ownership. This Swedish crossover, built on the SPA platform, showcased a sophisticated design with its elegant two-box form, short overhangs, and athletic body lines. The front grille, adorned with Volvo's iron mark logo, and the Thor's hammer-shaped LED headlights were distinctively Swedish. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian charm with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, initially a novelty, became a user-friendly feature over time. The interior's attention to detail, from the HVAC vents to the harmonious textures and colors, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that defied its size with an upright stance and a design that suggested a larger presence. Its grille was appropriately sized, and the roof rails added a touch of utility. The Venue's exterior updates for 2021 included 15-inch alloys on the base SE trim and 17-inch alloys on the SEL and Denim trims. The Denim trim, with its white roof and unique paint job, was particularly eye-catching. Inside, the Venue's cabin was practical, with a focus on functionality over luxury. While plastic materials were prevalent, the Venue's design allowed for ample light, creating an airy feel. The heated seats in the SEL trim added a touch of comfort, and despite its budget-friendly build, the Venue managed to maintain a modern look.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, delivered 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD, upped the ante with 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, thanks to the addition of a supercharger. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids, combined a turbocharger, supercharger, and an 87-hp electric motor to produce 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant further enhanced performance to 415 horsepower. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring ensured a smooth and agile driving experience, while the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Fuel economy varied from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe in electric-only mode for the T8.

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, paired with a CVT, was the sole powertrain option, as Hyundai discontinued the manual transmission for 2021. The Venue's FWD setup and selectable drive mode for snowy conditions provided adequate performance for its size. While not the most thrilling, the Venue's lightweight design allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas. However, its performance was average compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and practicality, with front seats offering excellent adjustability and heating capabilities. The heating system excelled in cold conditions, and the rear glass heater and windshield defroster were particularly effective. The cabin featured smart storage solutions, intuitive controls, and ample cargo space, with 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The XC60's towing capacity was rated at 3,500 pounds.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with practical storage options like a tray ahead of the gear selector. The center console's bin was small but functional, and the automatic climate control efficiently managed the cabin's temperature. The back seat, however, was tighter, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space was modest, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded. Compared to competitors, the Venue offered less cargo volume, making it less ideal for those prioritizing storage.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, a tablet-style interface with a portrait orientation. While it required a learning curve, frequent iPad users found it intuitive. The system offered smartphone integration, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons below the screen allowed easy access to media and settings. The infotainment system supported driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue's interface was designed for simplicity and ease of use, with charming details like tube-amp-style radio displays.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its small size, offered a range of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for front collision and rollover.