2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 had a design that was both praised and critiqued. While its overall styling was considered attractive, the excessive gray plastic cladding around its lower perimeter was seen as a misstep, making the 18-inch wheels appear undersized and giving the vehicle a lifted appearance. Despite this, the interior was lauded for its luxurious feel, especially above the cabin's midpoint, though hard plastics were prevalent below. The CX-30's pricing started at $21,900, with various trims offering additional features and upgrades, such as the Select trim's privacy glass and larger wheels.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a niche in Hyundai's lineup as an affordable subcompact SUV. It was less premium than the Kona, with a more upright design and no AWD option. The Venue's exterior featured unique touches like a contrasting white roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of Hyundai's larger SUVs. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and spacious cabin with excellent visibility and a practical control layout. The Venue's trims ranged from the base SE to the fully loaded Denim, with the SEL trim recommended for its balance of features and price.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Despite its competitive power figures, the CX-30's weight of 3,408 pounds and lack of a turbocharged engine option limited its performance, especially at higher altitudes. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission, however, was praised for its efficiency, and the optional AWD system added off-road traction assist. The CX-30's driving dynamics were generally well-regarded, though its higher center of gravity and torsion beam axle rear suspension affected handling. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed lower figures.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Most trims came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT), and the Venue was front-wheel drive only. While the Venue's acceleration was underwhelming, its ride height and tire choice provided some capability in adverse conditions. The Venue's handling was surprisingly composed, though its lack of power affected control in tight situations. Fuel economy was a strong point, with the CVT achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered ease of entry and exit due to its higher ground clearance. Inside, the cabin was elegant and comfortable, though rear seat legroom was limited. Cargo space was also modest, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with them folded. These figures were comparable to the Mazda3 Hatchback and less than many competitors.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue, while not particularly fast or sporty, provided ample head- and legroom in the front seats. The rear seats offered decent legroom even with the front seats adjusted for taller drivers. Cargo space was limited, with 31.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. The Venue's control layout was praised for its simplicity, though the automatic climate control's design could be confusing.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30's technology package included an 8.8-inch display integrated into the dashboard, though it lacked touchscreen functionality. The system's controls were not always intuitive, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available on higher trims. The Premium trim offered a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display.

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 and logical layout minimized distracted driving, and redundant hard buttons added convenience.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It received high crash-test ratings, with a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for Premium trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue also offered a robust set of standard safety features, such as forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, standard on the Denim trim.