2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was a blend of subtlety and sportiness. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch alloy wheels, maintained a low profile, lacking any overt hybrid identifiers. In contrast, the RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, embodying a performance-oriented aesthetic. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not universally praised, with its front-heavy appearance and signature rear roof pillar design contributing to a somewhat unbalanced look. Inside, the RX embraced a minimalist approach, featuring a modern infotainment system and ambient lighting, with the RX 350h Luxury offering luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance opted for a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum accents.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims, offered a more budget-friendly yet stylish option. The test model, in Ecotronic Grey, presented a mature and subdued appearance, appealing to those seeking affordable yet stylish transportation. Inside, the Venue's interior, despite its hard plastics, featured unexpected style elements like striped seat piping and white dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, offering a user-friendly experience. The Venue's design was thoughtfully executed, providing a sense of quality and style uncommon in its price range.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving a combined fuel economy of 6.5 L/100 km. It accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 7.5 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in about 6 seconds. However, its fuel economy was less impressive at 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h featured advanced suspension and steering systems, enhancing its dynamic performance, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system. The RX 350h, while less powerful, offered a quieter and more fuel-efficient drive, with a combined average of 7.4 L/100 km.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. Weighing between 1,200 and 1,250 kilograms, it was agile and well-suited for urban environments. The Venue's CVT maximized available power, though it struggled with additional weight. Its suspension, featuring MacPherson struts and a torsion-beam rear axle, resulted in a less refined ride on rough surfaces. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup and 17 cm ground clearance provided some capability in snowy conditions. Its fuel economy was rated at 7.5 L/100 km, though our testing yielded 7.8 L/100 km.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized comfort and space. The RX 350h Luxury featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way adjustable seats with standard-grade leather. Rear passengers enjoyed excellent leg support, though headroom was limited. The RX provided 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,308 litres with the seats folded, matching the standard RX 350.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue offered decent comfort despite its compact size. The driver's seat had manual height adjustment, and the steering wheel was tilt-and-telescopic. The Venue's back seat was best suited for two passengers, with limited storage and no air conditioning vents. Front storage was adequate, with a useful dashboard shelf. Cargo capacity was 528 litres, expanding to 902 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. However, the system's single-screen view and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks. The available head-up display, with dual-function steering wheel controls, was problematic for polarized sunglasses wearers.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display offered modern graphics and simple operation. It included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. The Venue's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the sound system could benefit from better speakers.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driver assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features, like curve-speed reduction, were less effective.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver monitoring system. The Venue Preferred added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.