Subaru Ascent vs Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, 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. The interior, despite its hard plastic, was stylish with striped seats and white trim accents. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, showcasing Hyundai's attention to quality and design.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Ascent struggled with its styling, particularly after a refresh that added unappealing design elements. The Ascent lineup remained unchanged, with trims ranging from Base to Touring, priced between $34,395 and $48,695, excluding the destination charge. The Touring trim test vehicle, with optional all-weather floor liners, had an MSRP of $50,181. The Touring trim offered premium features like a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, and a Harman Kardon sound system. The interior materials were of good quality, though the design felt modular and lacked sophistication.

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 CVT maximized power for city and suburban driving. Its small size, nimble handling, and visibility made it ideal for urban environments. However, the suspension struggled on rough roads, leading to a busy ride. On highways, the Venue maintained speed but sounded unpleasant under hard acceleration. Lacking AWD, it relied on front-wheel drive, with 6.7 inches of ground clearance. The Venue's EPA rating was 31 mpg combined, but it averaged 30.3 mpg during testing.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Its CVT and standard AWD with active torque vectoring made it versatile for various terrains. The Ascent excelled in urban, suburban, and off-road settings, handling speed bumps and gravel roads with ease. However, its weight and suspension limited performance on twisty roads. Fuel economy was a downside, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. During testing, it achieved 16.7 mpg city and 18.6 mpg overall, though its 19.3-gallon tank allowed for extended travel.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue offered decent comfort despite its small size. The driver's seat had manual height adjustment, and the steering wheel was tilt-and-telescopic. Front seats featured fabric inserts and heated cushions. The back seat was cramped for three, with limited storage and no air vents. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Venue's higher ground clearance facilitated entry and exit.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and cargo hooks. Touring trim added Nappa leather seats, heated and ventilated, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Wide-opening rear doors eased child loading, and the second-row captain's chairs were comfortable. Third-row seating was adequate for short trips, with air vents and storage. Cargo space was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.5 cubic feet with seats folded, and up to 75.6 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and simple operation. 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. The infotainment system was sophisticated, with a native voice recognition system, but the sound system could be improved.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent came with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered Starlink connected services, a navigation system, and a Harman Kardon sound system. The display struggled in direct sunlight, and the voice-recognition system was subpar. Physical buttons and knobs controlled essential functions, and upper trims included a surround-view camera and a camera-based rearview mirror.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included Hyundai SmartSense, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, and the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue received Good ratings in three IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent featured the EyeSight safety suite, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Ascent received five-star NHTSA ratings, except for rollover resistance, and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring, automatic reverse braking, and a Driver Focus system. However, the lane-centering assist was problematic, causing steering issues during testing.