2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, offering a substantial size compared to its smaller siblings, the QX50 and QX60. Available in Luxe and Limited trims, the QX80 boasted a refreshed exterior since 2018, featuring modern elements like welcome lights, power-folding mirrors with LED signals, and adaptive front lighting. Its upscale cabin was filled with soft-touch materials, though some trim pieces lagged behind competitors. The infotainment system had been updated to a sleeker design, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints. The QX80 offered a choice of nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes, with the Limited-grade models featuring premium materials like matte silver and Ash wood trim.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was a stylish little crossover that seemed timeless in its design. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a larger appearance than its actual size. The Venue's grille was well-proportioned, and its split headlights and unique taillight patterns added to its charm. The 2021 model saw minor updates, like replacing the 15-inch steel wheels with alloys and making advanced driver-assistance systems standard on the SEL trim. The top-line Denim trim stood out with its white roof and unique paint job, while the SEL trim offered great value with its standard features. Despite its low price, the Venue's interior was modern, with plenty of light and heated seats in the SEL trim.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Despite its heavy build, the QX80's powertrain managed the load well, though its transmission was less smooth when downshifting compared to competitors. Fuel efficiency was a downside, with the RWD model achieving 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, while the 4WD model fared slightly worse. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, and its optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system enhanced stability. It had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and featured a rear auto-leveling suspension for a smoother ride.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue housed a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine under its hood, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This small engine was paired with a CVT, providing adequate power for its lightweight build. The Venue's FWD setup and selectable drive mode for snowy conditions were its only drivetrain options. While not the most thrilling, the Venue's low weight allowed it to move sprightly in lower-speed areas. Its performance was comparable to rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport, though it lacked the power of larger engines.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush seating in the first two rows, with the third row being tighter and best suited for children. It featured leather-appointed seats with options for semi-aniline leather and Alcantara upholstery. The driver enjoyed a 10-way power-adjustable seat, while the passenger had an eight-way adjustable seat, both with lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated second-row seats available. The QX80 provided ample cargo space, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 95.1 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its compact size, offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats. Storage space was decent, with trays for small items and a center console bin for essentials. The back seat was tighter, suitable for short drives for adults. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 31.9 cubic feet with seats folded, lagging behind competitors. The Venue's hatchback design allowed for more cargo than a sedan, but it was less than most hatchbacks.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came with an 8-inch upper and a 7-inch lower infotainment touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a 13-speaker Bose stereo. Buyers could upgrade to a rear-seat entertainment system and a 17-speaker Bose system. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not particularly modern in design.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and quick swipe functionality. The interface was designed for ease of use, with physical buttons for quick access to media and settings. The infotainment system allowed for driver profiles and included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The Venue's tech features were impressive for its price, with a focus on user-friendly design.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The QX80 received "good" scores in some IIHS crash tests and had a moderate risk of rollover according to NHTSA.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue's safety features were well-integrated, avoiding distractions. It received four out of five stars in NHTSA's front collision and rollover tests.