2023 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front featured a parametric grille that hid standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When illuminated, these lights formed a unique shape resembling the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, including a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. The rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, with high-end trims featuring premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Toyota Venza was a midsize crossover SUV with a sleek and sculpted design, more akin to a Lexus than a typical Toyota. Its rear roofline tapered sharply to the taillights, avoiding the weak appearance of some "coupe-like" SUVs. The contoured body, reminiscent of a Mazda, featured harmonious curves without the awkward side bulges seen in other Toyota SUVs. Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the Toyota RAV4 but dressed up the cabin with nicer materials and details. The dashboard and center stack were similar, but the Venza featured better-integrated climate control buttons and more soft-touch surfaces, approaching Lexus' level of luxury. Overall, the Venza was attractively styled inside and out, standing out as one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came in two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain offered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed transmission. The hybrid engine made the Tucson more powerful than the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Front-wheel drive Tucsons with the ICE engine achieved an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. The Tucson Hybrid models were more fuel-efficient, with the most efficient model achieving 38 mpg city/highway/combined. Hyundai also planned to introduce a plug-in hybrid version with an estimated total system output of 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing 219 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sent power to the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for all-wheel drive. The Venza reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The ride quality favored comfort over sporty handling, with a smooth ride that absorbed most road imperfections. The steering effort was light and lacked feedback, aligning with the Venza's effortless personality. Maneuverability was a drawback, as the Venza required more space for U-turns, leading to frequent multiple-point turns.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a spacious and well-appointed interior, comparable to its competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape. Standard features included a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The Tucson provided ample passenger volume, with more rear legroom than the RAV4 and comparable headroom to other compact SUVs. The cargo area offered 74.8 cubic feet of space, comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V, and significantly more than the Escape. The rear seats featured a 60-40 split-folding bench and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models. A hands-free liftgate was available on mid-grade models and up.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats offered plenty of space for taller drivers and passengers, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats were spacious enough for average adults, with ample legroom and foot room. However, the Venza's cargo capacity was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Venza was not rated for towing, further limiting its cargo capabilities. On the plus side, the Venza excelled at holding smaller personal items, with a standard wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and large door pockets.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, though it required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was embedded within a black plastic head unit that included climate control and radio/media functionality. The touchpoints were responsive, but the narrow steering wheel controls were less user-friendly.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE trim and above offered a 12.3-inch multimedia display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure. A Wi-Fi connection was available for a 30-day trial, with access to remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app. The top Limited trim included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, which functioned like a virtual navigator. The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came with the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. Additional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai backed the Tucson with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty.

The 2023 Toyota Venza scored five stars in overall and side crash protection from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added front and rear parking sensors and automatic emergency braking in reverse. The Limited trim included a surround-view camera system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The advanced safety features functioned smoothly, with no false alarms reported.