2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was available in Canada in three trim levels: Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate, 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 additional 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, offering a sense of genuine style. Inside, the Venue's interior, though featuring hard plastics, did not appear cheap. Unexpected style elements included seat stripes and piping, and white trim around the dashboard air vents and transmission shifter. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, with controls exhibiting typical Hyundai quality.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S hardtop, encountered during a rental experience, was less fortunate in its black-on-black colour scheme, especially in a tropical climate. Despite this, the Wrangler's design, rooted in a World War II military vehicle, remained fundamentally appealing. In Canada, the Wrangler was offered in various trims, including Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, and Rubicon X, with prices ranging from $42,995 to $80,085. The test vehicle, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and several options, had an MSRP of $66,070. The Wrangler's interior featured classy grey fabric dashboard trim, metallic accents, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Designed for rugged use, the Wrangler emphasized function over form, with a capability to traverse almost any terrain.

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 to 1,250 kilograms, the Venue's power was maximized by a continuously variable transmission (CVT), making it suitable for city and suburban driving. Its small size, nimble handling, and excellent visibility were advantageous in urban environments. However, the Venue's suspension, featuring MacPherson strut front and torsion-beam rear axle, resulted in a busy ride quality on rough surfaces. On highways, the Venue could maintain speed, but the engine and CVT became noisy under pressure. The Venue lacked all-wheel-drive, with power directed to the front wheels, but offered 17 centimetres of ground clearance. Fuel economy was rated at 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test average of 7.8 L/100 km.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine was more fuel-efficient, with a rating of 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During testing, the Wrangler averaged 12.3 L/100 km. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it capable off-road. However, its slow steering and sloppy handling were noticeable, and it received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The ride was rough, with a disconnected steering feel at modest speeds. Despite its ruggedness, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities were evident, though not tested extensively during the evaluation.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easier entry and exit. Despite its small dimensions, comfort was decent, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel adjustment. The front seats featured fabric inserts, artificial leather bolsters, and heated cushions. The back seat technically accommodated three people, but two were more comfortable. Storage space was limited for rear passengers, and there were no air conditioning vents. In front, stash space was decent, with a useful dashboard shelf. Cargo room was 528 litres, expandable to 902 litres with the back seat folded.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler posed challenges for entry and exit due to its high ground clearance and narrow door openings. Step rails were available but could complicate access. Once inside, the front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated features. The Wrangler seated five, but four were more comfortable. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers risked knee contact with front seatback hooks. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in cupholders. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened. The four-door model offered 897 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,050 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and logical menu structures. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. However, the Venue's stereo speakers could have been better, considering its target audience.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was a highlight, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. An eight-speaker stereo was standard, with an optional nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. More expensive models offered navigation and Jeep Connect services, including adventure guides and GPS trail logs. The touchscreen remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display, passive entry, remote engine starting, and rear parking sensors.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with 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. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist were unavailable. The Venue received Good ratings in three IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler included side curtain airbags as standard equipment. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was limited to the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it Good ratings for side-impact protection and moderate overlap frontal-impact tests, but a Marginal rating for the small overlap frontal-impact test.