GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was available in SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels, with prices ranging from $21,275 to $24,525, including the destination charge. The Venue SEL, priced at $23,275, was recommended for its enhanced exterior appearance and added convenience and safety features. The Limited trim test vehicle, painted in Ecotronic Gray, had an MSRP of $24,735. While the color was subdued, it lent the Venue a mature look. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was stylish, with unexpected details like seat stripes and white trim around the dashboard and shifter. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, showcasing Hyundai's attention to quality and thoughtful design.

In contrast, the 2024 GMC Acadia was built on a modified platform, growing significantly in size compared to its predecessor. It was 10.6 inches longer and 3.2 inches taller, with styling that emphasized its increased dimensions. The front end featured a broad grille and LED headlights, while the rear boasted quad exhaust tips inspired by the C8 Corvette. The Acadia was offered in Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims, each with distinct styling elements. The Denali trim had a toned-down grille with intricate detailing, while the AT4 featured rugged touches like red tow hooks and blacked-out trim. The interior was redesigned for spaciousness, with larger screens and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of openness.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds in base SE trim, the Venue's lightweight design allowed the CVT to maximize power effectively, making it suitable for city and suburban driving. Its nimble handling and excellent visibility were assets in urban environments. However, the Venue's suspension struggled on rough surfaces, leading to a busy ride quality. On highways, it maintained speed but sounded strained under heavy acceleration. The Venue lacked all-wheel drive, but its 6.7 inches of ground clearance offered some advantage in snowy conditions. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded slightly lower results.

The 2024 GMC Acadia featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine shared with the Chevy Traverse, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous V6 and was more powerful, enabling a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The engine's coarse note was a downside, especially in the Denali trim. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with front-wheel drive on Elevation and Denali models, and all-wheel drive on the AT4. The AT4 also had off-road features like a twin-clutch system, skid plates, and a Terrain drive mode. Despite its capabilities, the Acadia AT4 was limited in off-road scenarios. The suspension tuning varied with wheel size, providing a comfortable ride but making the Acadia feel larger than it was.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance made entry and exit easier. Despite its compact size, the Venue offered decent comfort, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering. The front seats had fabric inserts and heated cushions, while the back seat was better suited for two passengers. Rear-seat amenities included USB ports but lacked air conditioning vents and privacy glass. Cargo space was comparable to a compact car, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2024 GMC Acadia's low dashboard and ample glass created a spacious feel, with more headroom than competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Kia Telluride. It offered 23 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. This was a significant improvement over the previous model. The Acadia also featured an underfloor storage bin and a presence-based power liftgate for hands-free access. Front storage was reasonable, though the headlight controls were less intuitive, requiring touchscreen interaction.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and logical menus. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, and a wireless charger, though it required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite this quirk, the infotainment system was sophisticated, with a native voice recognition system. The sound system, however, could have been better suited for the Venue's youthful target audience.

The 2024 GMC Acadia boasted a standard 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It included a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Google built-in apps provided navigation and voice control, enhancing usability. The touchscreen layout was logical, with climate controls and high-quality graphics. The instrument cluster offered multiple configurations, though drive-mode icons were small. An 8-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Bose system were available options.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist were not available. The Venue received Good ratings in three IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating.

The 2024 GMC Acadia's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Acadia also offered a rearview camera mirror and surround-view camera system. Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system, was available on all trims, though its utility was limited outside of highways.