2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a bold and experimental design that was not universally appealing. With trim levels like SE, SEL, and Limited, buyers could opt for a turbocharged engine for enhanced performance. The Santa Fe's exterior featured a distinctive grille, stacked lighting, and unique fender shapes, which might not have suited everyone's taste. Inside, the SUV boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast interior colors, though the materials used, such as glossy plastics and stiff leather, did not match the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls were refined, making the Santa Fe a unique choice for those who appreciated daring design.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed timeless in its design. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a substantial appearance despite its compact size. The Venue's grille was appropriately sized, and its split headlights and patterned taillights added to its charm. The top-line Denim trim, with its white roof and unique paint job, was particularly eye-catching. Inside, the Venue's cabin was simple yet modern, with plenty of light thanks to its large windows and thin A-pillars. While the materials were inexpensive, the Venue managed to avoid feeling spartan, offering a pleasant driving environment.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its base 185-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, was not the ideal choice for those seeking power. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, producing 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, was a better option, especially for those living at higher altitudes. The eight-speed automatic transmission, paired with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, provided a smooth ride, though torque steer was an issue with FWD models. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it achieved a fuel economy of 22.1 mpg in testing. While the Santa Fe handled moderate off-roading well, it was more of a practical tool than an engaging drive.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque, making it less powerful than the Santa Fe. The Venue's lightweight design allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas, but it lacked the power for confident highway driving. The Venue was only available with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission, as the manual option was discontinued. Despite its modest power, the Venue's small size and weight made it agile in urban settings.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in comfort and practicality, with features like eight-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a spacious back seat with reclining options. However, its cargo space was limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 71.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The smart liftgate was a convenient feature, opening automatically when the key fob was nearby.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, while compact, offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with practical storage solutions. The back seat was tighter, suitable for short trips, and the cargo space was limited to 18.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them down. Compared to its competitors, the Venue offered less cargo space, but its hatchback design provided more flexibility than a sedan.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a touchscreen, control knobs, and shortcut buttons. It included features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited trim added a larger display, navigation, and a premium sound system. The Santa Fe's technology was intuitive and easy to use, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue also boasted an impressive tech suite for its price, with an 8-inch touchscreen, physical buttons for easy access, and high-resolution graphics. The infotainment system supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with customizable driver profiles. The Venue's interface was designed for simplicity and ease of use, making it a standout feature in this budget-friendly vehicle.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a safe choice, earning top ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. It came with a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and a Blind-Spot View Monitor, enhancing safety for families.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its small size, offered a solid suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, providing peace of mind for drivers.