2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed to defy the passage of time with its design. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a robust appearance that belied its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the car's design. 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 appealing, 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 light, making the interior feel spacious. The SEL trim's heated seats and modern look were highlights, despite the visible mechanical tracks of the optional power sunroof. The Venue's interior was practical, with thin A-pillars and large windows contributing to a greenhouse-like atmosphere.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, on the other hand, carried over with minor modifications from the previous year, following significant updates in 2021. The lineup was simplified, and most models came with more standard features. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch wheels and R-Line design elements, gave the Atlas an upscale look. The interior was simple yet premium, though the use of hard, shiny plastics was a letdown for an SUV in its price range. The Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with seating for seven and a low step-in height. Storage areas were abundant, though unlined, leading to potential noise from items sliding around.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with 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. The Venue's lightweight design allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas, despite its modest power output. However, it was not the most thrilling driving experience, and those seeking more power would need to look elsewhere.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options. The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. An eight-speed automatic transmission distributed power to either front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The turbo-four's towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds, but it offered better fuel economy than the available 3.6-liter V6 engine. The V6, standard on higher trims, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. However, its performance was leisurely, and the engine's design felt outdated. The Atlas offered various driving modes and an adaptive-damping suspension option, but its ride quality was mixed, with a busy ride on certain surfaces.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage space. The center console's bin was small but functional, and automatic climate control effectively managed the cabin's temperature. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults, and cargo space was modest at 18.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them down. The Venue's cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven people with ease. The step-in height was low, and the test vehicle featured rear side-window sunshades. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to potential noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row down. These figures surpassed those of the full-size Nissan Armada.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its technology offerings, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features. The SEL trim added physical buttons for easy access to media sources and settings, and the system allowed for driver profile customization.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches on higher trims. The Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more. The user experience was mixed, with slow loading times and a cumbersome process for tuning radio stations. The Car-Net connected services offered various plans, but the navigation system's voice recognition was hit-or-miss.

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. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA's front collision and rollover tests.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Atlas received four-star ratings in NHTSA's frontal-impact tests but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.