2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup by entering the subcompact SUV segment, despite the earlier introduction of the Kona in 2018. While both vehicles shared the same segment, the Venue was positioned as a more affordable option compared to the slightly more premium Kona, which offered more power and all-wheel drive. The Venue's design featured unique touches like a white contrasting 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.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's image with a more SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays contributed to a bold stance, while the re-engineered sliding side doors added a sculpted look. The Sienna's interior emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a comfortable seating position and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The center console featured practical storage solutions, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel added a touch of luxury. The second and third rows provided ample comfort for adults, with the second row offering flexible seating configurations.

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's power was sent to the front wheels, with no all-wheel drive option available. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Venue's performance was more akin to a compact hatchback, with underwhelming acceleration and a noisy engine. The Venue's fuel economy was rated at 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined with the CVT, while the manual transmission offered slightly different figures.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total of 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The Sienna's electronically controlled CVT provided smooth power delivery, though it lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. The Sienna's handling was improved with new suspension and steering systems, offering a comfortable and composed ride. The Sienna Hybrid's fuel economy was impressive, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, highway, and combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered limited cargo space, with 31.9 cubic feet available when the rear seats were folded, compared to the Kona's 45.8 cubic feet. However, the Venue provided ample head- and legroom in the front seats, even for taller drivers, and decent legroom in the rear. The Venue's control layout was user-friendly, with traditional buttons and dials for key functions. The SEL and Denim trims featured automatic climate control with a unique display design.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and cargo handling, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored away. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna's hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate with kick-motion activation added to the Sienna's family-friendly features.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The logical layout of the touchscreen minimized distracted driving, with large icons and fonts and redundant hard buttons on the dash. The screen's placement allowed for easy use while driving.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna offered a wealth of technology features, including a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Sienna provided various connectivity options, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect trials. Higher trims offered a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system. The driver benefited from a color multi-information display and, in Platinum trims, a 10-inch color Head-Up Display. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with Smart Key System available on higher trims.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came equipped with standard safety features such as a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also included driver-assistance technologies like 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, standard on the Denim trim.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection. The Sienna also had the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, and LATCH connectors for child seats. A rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring system were standard. While crash-test ratings for the 2021 Sienna were not yet available, the 2020 model received favorable ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.