2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained its classic style while extending its length by over 30 centimetres. This SUV was known for its tough yet upscale design, featuring a seven-slot grille and U-shaped fenders that were quintessentially Jeep. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package added a bold touch with blacked-out elements and dark grey 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Grand Cherokee L offered a luxurious experience, especially in upper trims, with features like black leather with gold stitching and matte-finish walnut accents. Despite some hard plastics, the interior was largely justified for its price, offering a classy feel with diamond-patterned stitching and aluminum speaker grilles.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue presented a more compact and affordable option. The Venue's design was appealing, with a sense of genuine style, especially in the U.S. equivalent of the Ultimate trim with Ecotronic Grey paint. Inside, the Venue featured hard plastics but managed to avoid looking cheap, with stylish elements like striped seat piping and white trim around the dashboard. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, offering a high-quality feel. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, providing a stylish and high-quality small SUV experience.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's performance was hindered by its standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine was criticized for its lack of low-end torque and noisy operation. The optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended for better towing capacity and sound. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, especially with air suspension, and its 4WD systems offered impressive off-road capabilities. Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 13.0 L/100 km city, 9.4 highway, and 11.3 combined, while the V8's ratings were worse at 16.7 L/100 km city, 10.9 highway, and 14.1 combined.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, equipped with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, was more suited for city and suburban driving. Its lightweight design and CVT helped maximize available power, but the Venue struggled on rough roads due to its unsophisticated suspension. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup and 17 centimetres of ground clearance allowed it to handle snowy conditions better than a typical car. Fuel economy was rated at 7.5 L/100 km combined, though it averaged 7.8 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered ample interior space, with a 12.7-centimetre longer wheelbase providing more legroom for second-row passengers. The third row was best suited for children, while the power liftgate and dual-pane panoramic sunroof added convenience. Cargo space was generous, with 481 litres behind the three rows, 1,330 litres behind the second row, and 2,407 litres with both rows folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, despite its small size, provided decent comfort with manual height-adjustable front seats and tilt-and-telescopic steering. The back seat was tight for three passengers, and storage space was limited. Cargo room was comparable to a compact car, with 528 litres available, expanding to 902 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured Uconnect 5 with an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a McIntosh sound system, and advanced features like night vision and Active Driving Assist. The passenger screen allowed independent control of navigation and entertainment.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. The Venue's infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menu structures and simple operation.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and scored five stars in most NHTSA tests. It came with standard safety features like forward emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, with optional features like night vision and 360-degree cameras.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included standard safety features like forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. It received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist.