2020 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was introduced as a more affordable option in the subcompact SUV segment, complementing the slightly more premium Hyundai Kona. While the Kona offered more power and all-wheel drive, the Venue focused on practicality with its upright design and distinctive features like a contrasting white roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of Hyundai's larger SUVs. Inside, the Venue boasted a modern and clean cabin with ample space for both front and rear passengers, providing excellent visibility due to its upright layout and large windows. The Venue was available in SE, SEL, and Denim trims, with the SEL being the recommended choice when paired with the Premium package for added features.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner maintained its timeless design with tall slab sides, a high beltline, and short overhangs, emphasizing its utilitarian nature. The 4Runner's design was functional, with flared wheel wells for off-road tires and short overhangs for tackling steep terrains. The trim lineup included SR5, TRD Off-Road, and Limited, among others, with the Limited trim focusing on comfort with leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite its chrome and leather touches, the 4Runner's utilitarian roots were evident, with a seating position designed for off-road capability rather than highway cruising.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a manual transmission on the base trim, while most trims featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT). The Venue was front-wheel drive only, lacking the all-wheel-drive option found in some competitors. While the Venue's acceleration was underwhelming, it offered drive modes like Normal, Snow, and Sport, with Sport mode providing a slightly livelier experience at low speeds. The Venue's fuel economy was commendable, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-liter V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This engine was designed for durability and off-road capability, offering a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The 4Runner's fuel economy was less impressive, with EPA estimates of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered a practical interior with ample head- and legroom in the front seats and decent legroom in the rear. However, its cargo space was limited, with only 31.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded, compared to the Kona's 45.8 cubic feet. The Venue's control layout was user-friendly, with traditional buttons and dials for the radio and climate controls. The SEL and Denim trims featured automatic climate control with a unique display design.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner provided excellent outward visibility and a relatively tight turning radius for its size. Inside, the dashboard featured large, easy-to-use knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, with an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment. The 4Runner's tall seating position offered a commanding view of the road, but climbing in and out could be challenging without the power-retractable running boards. The optional third row of seats was best suited for short and occasional use, lacking the comfort and space of competitors' third-row offerings.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The screen's placement allowed for easy use while driving, with logical layouts and redundant hard buttons for major functions.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was updated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While Toyota's proprietary system was not difficult to understand, the onboard navigation system was less intuitive than smartphone-based options. The 4Runner also offered Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and various subscription services. However, the 4Runner's technological advancements were more focused on off-road capabilities than dashboard features.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue included standard safety features like a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also offered driver-assistance technologies such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention warning. The SEL trim with the Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. The 4Runner also had eight standard airbags and received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rating in the rollover test. The IIHS rated it Good in most crash tests, except for a Marginal score in the small overlap front: driver-side test.