2023 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front design featured a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals, creating a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, with a silver D-pillar that visually connected the window surrounds to the rear, giving the Tucson a unique floating roof appearance. The rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs, contributing to its standout design among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats, sport combination seats in the N-Line, and leather-trimmed seats available from the Preferred Trend trim upwards. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered aesthetic added to the sense of spaciousness.

The 2023 Toyota Venza was a midsize crossover SUV with a sleek and sculpted design, setting it apart from the boxy vehicles typical of its class. Its shape, with a tapering rear roofline, avoided the weak appearance of some "coupe-like" SUVs. The contoured body, reminiscent of a Mazda, featured harmonious curves without the awkward side bulges seen in other Toyota SUVs. Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the Toyota RAV4, with a similar dashboard and centre stack, but it elevated the cabin with nicer materials and details. The climate-control panel featured integrated buttons instead of large dials, and the materials had a more substantial feel, approaching Lexus's level of luxury. Overall, the Venza was attractively styled, both inside and out, making it one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain, with a total system output of 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Tucson Hybrid was more powerful than the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Tucson's AWD system, standard on the hybrid and available on ICE models, performed well in off-road testing. Fuel efficiency for the Tucson Hybrid was impressive, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 219 horsepower. The power was delivered through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels, with a separate electric motor powering the rear wheels for standard AWD. The Venza's electric motors provided immediate acceleration, with the gasoline engine seamlessly blending in for additional power. It reached 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling. Its ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's but not as plush as a Lexus. The Venza's braking system, combining regenerative and physical braking, operated seamlessly.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory for the driver's seat available. The Tucson's new platform provided more space for passengers and cargo, with rear seats offering 90 millimetres more legroom than the RAV4. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with a 1,095-litre cargo space comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor.

The 2023 Toyota Venza offered spacious front seats, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof, standard on the Limited trim, could turn opaque at the touch of a button. Outward visibility was excellent, though rear visibility was limited. The Venza's rear seats provided ample legroom and foot room, with materials as nice as those in the front. However, its cargo capacity was limited to 816 litres, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Venza excelled at holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. The Preferred trim added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims offered a fully digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, though the lack of physical differences made them challenging to use while driving.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE and above offered a 12.3-inch multimedia display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure. The Venza XLE and Limited trims included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, activated by saying "Hey Toyota." The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, and rear occupant alert. Additional safety features were available, such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai offered a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty.

The 2023 Toyota Venza received five stars in overall and side crash protection from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added parking sensors and automatic emergency braking in reverse, while the Limited trim included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The Venza's safety features functioned smoothly, with no false alarms reported.