2020 Hyundai Venue vs 2021 GMC Yukon

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup by offering a more affordable subcompact SUV option compared to the Kona. While the Kona was more premium and powerful, the Venue focused on being a practical people-mover with a distinctive upright design. It featured unique touches like a contrasting white roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of the larger Hyundai Palisade. 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 2021 GMC Yukon, redesigned for that year, positioned itself as a premium-grade SUV with a rugged yet refined appeal. It was available in standard and extended-length body styles and offered in SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. The Yukon Denali stood out with its exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, and leather-wrapped panels, providing an upscale cabin experience. The Denali Ultimate option package added features like a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the luxury feel. The Yukon Denali's exterior was marked by its intricate grillework and chrome accents, making it more upscale than its Chevrolet Tahoe counterpart. Despite its premium features, the Yukon Denali came with a hefty price tag, reflecting its position in the market.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was powered by a single engine option: a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT) for most trims, with a manual transmission available on the base trim. The Venue was front-wheel drive only, lacking an all-wheel-drive option, which limited its capability compared to other SUVs. Acceleration was underwhelming, and the engine was noisy, especially when trying to reach highway speeds. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Venue drove more like a compact hatchback, with noticeable road feedback and limited power for emergency maneuvers. Fuel economy was decent, with the CVT version achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine choices, with the Denali trim featuring a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, providing robust acceleration and a satisfying V8 burble. However, fuel economy was not its strong suit, with the 4WD version rated at 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The Yukon boasted an independent rear suspension and available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension, improving ride quality and handling. The Active Response 4WD system, with its electronic limited-slip differential and Traction Select driving modes, enhanced the Yukon's capability, making it suitable for various driving conditions, though it was not tested off-road.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, offered a practical interior with ample head- and legroom in the front seats. The rear seats provided decent legroom even with the front seats pushed back. However, 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 essential functions, though the automatic climate control display could be confusing for some users.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, significantly improving passenger and cargo space. The front seats, while heated and ventilated, lacked a massage function and could feel hard during long drives. The second-row seats slid and folded flat, enhancing comfort and cargo capacity. The third-row seat offered improved thigh support and adult-friendly space. Cargo volume was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Denali XL variant offered even more space, rivaling minivan capacities.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was praised for its logical layout, large icons, and redundant hard buttons, minimizing distracted driving. The screen placement allowed for easy use while driving, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali, especially with the Ultimate Package, offered a comprehensive infotainment suite. It featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Upgrades included wireless charging, a navigation system, a 14-speaker Bose audio system, and a Rear Seat Media system with dual 12.6-inch displays. However, the rear-seat entertainment system required some trial and error to stream content, and the Bose audio system was criticized for its flat sound quality. Additional technology included a 15-inch head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera angles, enhancing the Yukon's maneuverability.

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

The 2021 GMC Yukon was equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Teen Driver technology and rear-seat reminder system added to its safety credentials. Starting with the SLT trim, the Yukon included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim offered adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The ADAS operated smoothly, providing a seamless driving experience without intrusive interventions.