Hyundai Venue vs Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained the classic style of its predecessors while extending its length by over a foot. This extension did not compromise its iconic design, which combined a tough and upscale appearance. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured a bold look with blacked-out elements and dark gray 21-inch wheels. Inside, the upper trims offered impressive interiors with luxurious touches like black leather with gold stitching and matte-finish light walnut accents. Although not every material was top-tier, the overall feel was justified for its price range, providing a classy experience that surpassed many competitors.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue presented a more compact and affordable option with a sense of genuine style. The Limited trim in Ecotronic Gray paint gave the Venue a mature appearance, while the interior, despite its hard plastics, offered unexpected style elements like striped seats and white trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were well-sized for the Venue, and the controls exhibited typical Hyundai quality. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, stylishly detailed, and provided a high-quality experience for a small SUV.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's performance was hindered by its standard V6 engine, which produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine was considered outdated and lacked the low-end torque needed for a heavy SUV. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque was recommended, especially for towing, as it improved performance significantly. The V8 allowed for a towing capacity of 7,200 pounds compared to the V6's 6,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, and the air suspension offered a smooth ride. However, the steering required more corrections on tighter roads. The SUV offered three optional four-wheel drive systems, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, was more suited for city and suburban driving. Its lightweight design and CVT allowed it to maneuver easily, although it struggled with rough pavement due to its unsophisticated suspension. On highways, the Venue could maintain speed but sounded unpleasant under heavy acceleration. The Venue lacked all-wheel drive, but its 6.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle snowy conditions better than a typical car. The Venue achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg in combined driving, although real-world testing showed slightly lower fuel efficiency.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered ample interior space, with five additional inches in the wheelbase providing more legroom for second-row passengers. The third row was best suited for children, while the second-row captain's chairs came standard. The Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured additional amenities like a center console and heated rear seats. Cargo space was generous, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 85 cubic feet with both rows folded. The driver's seat provided good visibility, although some infotainment graphics were difficult to read.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance made entry and exit easier. The interior, though compact, offered decent comfort with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel adjustment. The back seat was better suited for two passengers, and storage space was limited. The Venue provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite its small size, the Venue offered practical storage solutions and a useful dashboard shelf.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, running Uconnect 5. The system was generally user-friendly, although some legibility issues were noted. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was available as an option. The Grand Cherokee L offered advanced tech features like night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that could play video and control navigation. The SUV's tech offerings were extensive and surpassed many competitors.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, offering modern graphics and simple operation. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, and a wireless smartphone charger. However, the switch to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback. Despite this, the Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with an impressive native voice recognition system.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and scored five stars in most NHTSA tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking and 360-degree cameras. Night vision was available on higher trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist.