2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

In Canada, the 2024 Hyundai Venue was offered in Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices ranging from $23,581 to $28,081, including the destination charge. The Venue Preferred, priced at $25,581, was recommended for its enhanced exterior appearance and added convenience and safety features. The test vehicle, equivalent to the U.S. Ultimate trim, featured Ecotronic Grey paint, bringing the MSRP to $28,331. Despite limited options, the Venue's design was appealing, with a mature and subdued appearance. Inside, the Venue's interior, though featuring hard plastics, was stylishly detailed with unexpected elements like seat stripes and white trim around the dashboard air vents.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, debuted in 2024 with a chunky, boxy design. It featured a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose, with H-shaped LED headlamps fitting Hyundai's design aesthetic. The rear design, however, had mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim had specific wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches. Inside, the Santa Fe offered room for seven, except in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which had captain's chairs. The interior had good fit and finish, though some squeaks and rattles were noted. The HVAC system had physical dials for temperature but flat icons for fan speed, which were less intuitive.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing between 1,200 and 1,250 kilograms, the Venue's CVT maximized available power, making it suitable for city and suburban driving. However, its suspension struggled on rough surfaces, leading to a busy ride quality. The Venue lacked AWD, with power directed to the front wheels, but offered 17 centimetres of ground clearance. Its fuel economy was rated at 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, averaging 7.8 L/100 km during testing.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. AWD was standard across the lineup. The Santa Fe Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, produced 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe handled corners well, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some getting used to. The XRT trim had 30-inch all-terrain tires and 21.2 centimetres of ground clearance, improving off-road capability.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easier entry and exit. Despite its small size, it offered decent comfort, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel adjustment. The back seat was better suited for two passengers, with limited storage and no air conditioning vents. Cargo space was 528 litres, expanding to 902 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim was well-equipped with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sunroof. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added heated second-row seats and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe excelled in space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class. Cargo capacity was 1,148 litres with the third row folded and 2,267 litres with the second row down. The rear opening was widened to 127.5 cm, accommodating larger items. Towing capacity varied, with the XRT trim capable of towing 2,040 kilograms.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and logical menus. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered wireless charging for two phones and a digital key feature. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim also included a digital rearview mirror and head-up display. Bluelink app connectivity was standard, providing remote access and over-the-air updates.

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 three IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more as standard. Highway Drive Assist was available, though it had mixed performance in traffic. The top trim included a blind spot avoidance feature and Blind View Monitor. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, while the IIHS rated it Good in most categories, with Acceptable ratings for headlights and LATCH.