Hyundai Venue vs Mazda CX-90

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was classified by Hyundai as a crossover SUV, though its dimensions and design suggested it was more akin to a tall hatchback. With only front-wheel drive and a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, it was not as elevated as a typical crossover SUV. The EPA classified it as a midsize car due to its interior space. The Venue's design leaned more towards a crossover, with a small and narrow appearance reminiscent of European runabouts. Its upright windshield, bluff nose, and standard roof rails contributed to its SUV-like aesthetic. The Venue featured lower headlights, high-set daytime running lights, and a satin metallic lower fascia. Black wheel flares and a two-tone roof option added to its visual appeal. Inside, the Venue offered a simple and functional look, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that resembled an iPad on the dash.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 presented a more complex lineup with three model designations based on powertrain options. The 3.3 Turbo and 3.3 Turbo S models shared a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine with a mild-hybrid system, while the Turbo S offered more power. Additionally, a plug-in hybrid version, the CX-90 PHEV, was available. The CX-90's design featured classic sporting proportions with a short front overhang, long hood, and a cabin set back on the platform. Its interior boasted top-notch materials, though the wood trim in the test vehicle had an olive undertone that detracted from the otherwise luxurious feel. The digital instrumentation was rendered as classic analog gauges, and the 12.3-inch infotainment display was artfully integrated into the dashboard. However, the wide center console was cluttered, with limited storage space and a clunky electronic shifter.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This power was channeled through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels. The Venue's acceleration was modest, with a 0-60 mph time ranging from 8.5 to 8.8 seconds. Weighing in at 2,738 pounds, it felt peppy in city traffic but struggled at highway speeds. The CVT's stepped gear ratios felt slurred, and heavy throttle caused engine droning due to limited sound deadening. Handling was aided by its small size and low weight, with a length of 159.1 inches and a 99.1-inch wheelbase. The Venue's ride was generally comfortable, though the solid rear axle made it jiggly on uneven surfaces.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offered three powertrains, each with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The 3.3 Turbo produced 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.3 Turbo S delivered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft on regular gas, increasing to 340 hp on premium fuel. The CX-90 PHEV combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 68-kilowatt electric motor, generating 323 hp and 369 lb-ft on premium fuel, with an electric-only range of 26 miles. Despite its power, the CX-90's powertrains were not particularly smooth, and the i-Stop feature could be unpredictable. The CX-90 excelled in handling, with quick and precise steering and a firm suspension that controlled body motions. However, the brakes faded significantly during spirited driving, and the firm suspension communicated road nuances to passengers.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue's interior featured cloth and H-Tex seats with black upholstery and white contrast stitching. The seats were comfortable, with six-way manual adjustments, though legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat accommodated average-sized adults, but taller passengers would struggle for legroom. The rear seats folded flat in a 60/40 split, providing 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which was modest compared to typical compact crossovers. The Venue's interior was dominated by hard black plastic, with limited soft-touch surfaces.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90's seats were firm yet supportive, with heated and ventilated front and second-row captain's chairs. Storage space for small items was limited, with a shallow bin beneath the center armrest. The second-row captain's chairs provided a larger center console, but legroom was less generous than some rivals. The third row could accommodate adults with small feet, though the center console's design was uncomfortable for third-row passengers. Cargo space behind the third row was 14.9 cubic feet, expanding to 40 cubic feet with the third row folded. The CX-90 offered 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, less than some competitors.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment features. While the screen size felt small by modern standards, it was functional, with large icons and quick response times. The Venue lacked features like navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio, but it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system was a simple six-speaker unit, with no premium option available.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment display on the base Select trim, with higher trims offering a 12.3-inch screen. The system included Amazon Alexa compatibility, text-messaging support, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added wireless smartphone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was controlled via buttons and knobs on the center console, which could be confusing. The native voice recognition system lacked natural-language capability, making it challenging to use for tasks like adjusting cabin temperature or selecting a radio station.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue came with a good set of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, and a rear-occupant warning. Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert were available on all but the base SE trim. The Venue received a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with a top "Good" score in the small front overlap test from the IIHS.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. Higher trims added features like active blind-spot monitors, lane-keep assist, and head-on traffic avoidance steering assist. The CX-90 earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.