2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that managed to maintain its appeal over time. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a unique shape that belied its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design, and the split headlights and triangular taillight patterns added to its modern look. The Venue's exterior updates from the 2020 model were minimal, with the most notable change being the replacement of 15-inch steel wheels with alloys on the base SE trim. The top-line Denim trim, with its white roof and unique paint job, was particularly eye-catching, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features like 17-inch alloy wheels and advanced driver-assistance systems.

Inside, the Venue's cabin was a testament to Hyundai's ability to create a modern feel with budget-friendly materials. While plastic was prevalent, the design allowed for plenty of natural light, making the interior feel open and airy. The SEL trim's heated seats and modern design elements added to the overall appeal, despite the visible mechanical tracks of the optional power sunroof. The Venue's interior was practical, with thin A-pillars and large windows enhancing visibility and creating a greenhouse-like atmosphere.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, on the other hand, embraced Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, giving it a supersized appearance with a tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels. The Suburban offered a range of trims, each with distinct grille, fascia, and wheel designs, allowing for customization. Our RST test vehicle, with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch black-painted wheels, exuded a sporty look. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with varying levels of comfort, from the economically comfortable base LS trim to the plush High Country. The RST trim featured Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching and a Luxury package that included heated second-row seats. However, the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel a bit dark, despite the open and airy design.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This small, economical engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, as all-wheel drive was not available. While the Venue's performance was adequate for its size, it was not particularly thrilling. However, its lightweight design allowed for a lively feel in lower-speed areas, making it suitable for city driving.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six. The base 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The new 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine provided 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering excellent fuel economy and towing capability. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Our RST test vehicle featured the 6.2-liter V8, which provided effortless power and acceleration, making it well-suited for towing and highway driving. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds, and its independent rear suspension improved ride quality and cargo space.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage space, including a handy tray ahead of the gear selector. However, 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 the seats folded down. The Venue's cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most Suburbans offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a livable third row providing adequate headroom and legroom. The Suburban boasted 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The power-sliding center console and hidden storage drawer added to the practicality. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and its height could be an issue for some garages.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its tech features, including an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and quick swipe functionality. The infotainment system allowed for driver profiles and included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features. The interface was designed for simplicity, with physical buttons for easy access to media and settings.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a wealth of technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system with Google built-in was standard on higher trims. The Suburban featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and a range of camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view. The audio system varied by trim, with a nine-speaker Bose system on the LT and a premium Bose CenterPoint system on the Premier and High Country.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came equipped with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. In NHTSA crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and front pedestrian braking. For 2022, additional standard features included front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received an overall rating of four out of five stars from NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance.