Cadillac XT6 vs Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed to defy the passage of time with its design. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a robust appearance that belied its compact size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the car's design, while the roof rails and wide-spaced letters at the back added to its crossover appeal. The Venue's headlights and taillights featured unique patterns, enhancing its modern look. Despite minimal changes from the 2020 model, the Venue's exterior updates, such as the introduction of alloy wheels across trims, maintained its fashionable appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT6 presented a more conservative and tailored image, fitting seamlessly into Cadillac's lineup. Its polished 20-inch alloy wheels and Stellar Black paint exuded a sense of understated luxury. However, the XT6's towering front running lights and vertical taillights gave it a tall and narrow appearance, which some might find less appealing. Despite its attractive yet bland design, the XT6's proportions and details conveyed a sense of sophistication. The interior, while lined with rich materials, lacked the distinctive luxury expected in a vehicle of its price range, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen that seemed outdated compared to its competitors.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 small, economical engine was designed to provide just enough power for the Venue's lightweight frame, making it feel lively in lower-speed areas despite its modest output. The Venue was only available with front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) was the sole transmission option, as Hyundai discontinued the manual transmission for 2021. While the Venue's performance was adequate for its segment, it lacked the power and options found in some competitors.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered two engine choices, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive was available. The V6 provided sufficient power, but the XT6's driving experience leaned towards serenity rather than excitement. The adaptive-damping performance suspension and available Brembo brakes enhanced its athleticism, but the XT6's fuel economy was average, with a combined rating of 21 mpg for the V6 with AWD.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a surprisingly spacious front cabin, with ample headroom and legroom for its size. Storage options included a handy tray ahead of the gear selector and a small center console bin. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer journeys. 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. Despite its compact size, the Venue's design allowed for a decent amount of light to enter the cabin, creating an airy feel.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, while expected to be spacious, offered a more confined interior than anticipated. The front seats were comfortable and wrapped in premium leather, but lacked the range of adjustments and features found in some rivals. The second-row captain's chairs provided good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum of 78.7 cubic feet. Storage options were decent but unremarkable, with small cubbies and bins throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its technology offerings, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and intuitive swipe functionality. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard, with the ability to set up driver profiles for personalized settings. Physical buttons provided easy access to media and settings, and the interface was designed for simplicity and ease of use. Despite its budget-friendly price, the Venue's tech features were appealing and user-friendly.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered a mix of advanced and outdated technology. While it boasted features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free driving assistance, it lacked digital gauges and had an 8-inch touchscreen that felt small for the segment. The infotainment system was powered by excellent software, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but usability issues arose with touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive controls. The available Bose Performance Series audio system provided great sound, but the head-up display was less impressive compared to other GM vehicles.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came equipped with a range of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning as standard. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue's safety systems were well-integrated, avoiding intrusive alerts. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions, as well as rollover resistance.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, equipped with the optional Platinum Package, offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, allowing for hands-free highway driving under certain conditions. However, Super Cruise had limitations, particularly in challenging driving scenarios. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA in crash tests, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.