2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was a testament to the brand's ability to evolve its design language while maintaining its core identity. Known for its conservative styling, Volvo managed to infuse the XC90 with more character, yet it remained unmistakably a Volvo. The vehicle retained traditional styling cues like a boxy profile and a blunt front end, but with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights featuring "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," offering high-quality materials and thoughtful design, with options like wool upholstery and a crystal shifter adding unique touches.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed designed to defy the passage of time. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a distinctive look that belied its small size. The Venue's grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design, and the split headlights and patterned taillights added visual interest. The Venue's exterior updates for 2021 were minimal, with alloy wheels replacing steel ones on the base trim and standard 17-inch alloys on higher trims. 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 previously part of an extra-cost package. Inside, the Venue's cabin was simple yet modern, with plenty of light and a practical layout, despite the use of inexpensive materials.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard AWD. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines, and the plug-in hybrid's electric mode was limited to low speeds. However, the XC90 excelled in ride quality and quietness, with an optional air-suspension system enhancing comfort. It also offered a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, though it lagged behind some competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), was the sole powertrain option, as Hyundai discontinued the manual transmission for 2021. The Venue's performance was adequate for its size, with its lightweight construction allowing for sprightly movement in lower-speed areas. However, its power output was modest compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Ford EcoSport, and Toyota C-HR. The Venue was only available with front-wheel drive, though it offered a selectable drive mode for snowy conditions. While not the most thrilling to drive, the Venue's light weight made it feel lively in urban settings.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom in all three rows being average for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats in the second and third rows lacked support. An optional power moonroof and the XC90's upright roof profile contributed to a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console and few storage options. Cargo space was also limited, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was standard.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage space, including a tray ahead of the gear selector and a small center console bin. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults, though headroom was sufficient. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded, lagging behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport. The Venue's hatchback design allowed for more cargo than a compact sedan, but it was less than most hatchbacks. Despite its small size, the Venue's shape allowed for plenty of light in the cabin, enhancing the sense of space.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system was easy to use, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that allowed for intuitive swiping through menus. However, the text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display as options.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and quick swipe functionality. The SEL trim featured physical buttons for easy access to media sources, navigation, and settings, with a customizable starred button. The Venue's infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features, with the base SE trim set to receive wireless CarPlay in the future. The system allowed for driver profiles with customized radio presets, appealing to families with multiple drivers. Hyundai's attention to detail, such as the tube-amp-style radio interface, added charm to the Venue's tech offerings.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The NHTSA awarded the XC90 a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and responsive assistance, though it was not a substitute for an attentive driver.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came standard with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert added on the SEL and Denim trims. The Venue's safety features were seamlessly integrated, avoiding distracting alerts. In NHTSA crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions and rollover testing. Despite its small size, the Venue was equipped to prevent accidents and protect occupants.