2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was characterized by its tall slab sides, high beltline, and short overhangs, contributing to its timeless design. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of the XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate off-road tires and short overhangs for tackling steep terrains. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the off-road-focused TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. The front end featured small, angular headlights, with grille accents varying by trim. The Limited trim, aimed at comfort, featured leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen, though it retained a utilitarian feel with plenty of plastic and a seating position more suited for trails than highways.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was a stylish little crossover that seemed unlikely to go out of style. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a substantial appearance despite its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design. Roof rails and wide-spaced letters spelling "Venue" added to its appeal. The Venue's exterior saw minimal changes from 2020 to 2021, with alloy wheels becoming standard on higher trims. The top-line Denim trim was particularly attractive, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features previously part of an extra-cost package. Inside, the Venue's inexpensive materials were offset by a modern look, with plenty of light entering the cabin and heated seats in the SEL trim.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This setup was not designed for efficiency but for durability and off-road capability, allowing for a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The 4Runner's fuel economy was poor, with EPA estimates of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. Its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select made it a formidable off-road vehicle, though it exhibited significant body roll and vague steering on the road.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, managed by a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This setup was adequate for the Venue's lightweight, allowing for sprightly movement in lower-speed areas. Front-wheel drive was the only option, with a selectable drive mode for snowy conditions. While not the most thrilling, the Venue's performance was competitive within its segment, offering a lively feel when pulling away from stoplights.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tight turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches. Inside, it featured large, chunky knobs for controls and an 8-inch touchscreen. The tall seating position, aided by power-retractable running boards, provided a commanding view. The optional third row of seats was best for short, occasional use, with limited legroom and comfort.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage space. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded, lagging behind competitors. Despite this, the Venue offered a little extra ground clearance compared to compact sedans.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While the proprietary system was not difficult to understand, the onboard navigation system was less efficient than smartphone alternatives. The 4Runner also offered Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth, and various subscription services, though it lagged behind competitors in total features and usability.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and quick swipe functionality. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features, with the ability to set up driver profiles. The interface was designed for simplicity, with physical buttons for quick access to media sources and settings.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also featured eight standard airbags. The 4Runner received four out of five stars overall from the NHTSA, with a three-star rating in the rollover test, and a Marginal score in the IIHS small overlap front: driver-side test.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came standard with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA's driver-side and passenger-side front collision tests, as well as for rollover.