2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in Canada in Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims, was priced between $23,581 and $28,081, including a $1,950 destination charge. The Venue Preferred, priced at $25,581, was recommended for its enhanced exterior appeal and added convenience and safety features. Our test model, equivalent to the U.S. Ultimate trim, featured Ecotronic Grey paint, bringing the MSRP to $28,331. While the grey colour lent a mature and subdued appearance, the Venue's design was generally appealing, offering genuine style uncommon in affordable cars. Inside, the Venue's interior, despite its hard plastic, 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 well-suited to the Venue, with controls exhibiting typical Hyundai quality in finishes, markings, and operation. Overall, the 2024 Venue was a thoughtfully designed, stylishly detailed, and high-quality small SUV.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV featuring exclusive Incognito paint and orange brake calipers. Despite these unique touches, the RX's design was unremarkable, with a large front grille and dramatic rear haunches. Historically, the RX had not been known for its looks, though the current generation was more palatable depending on the version and colour/wheel combination. The RX lineup included the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+ models, each offering different power and efficiency levels. The RX 350h was the base model with 246 hp and 6.5 L/100 km combined fuel economy, while the RX 500h delivered 366 hp and 8.6 L/100 km combined. The RX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid with an estimated 60 km electric-only range and 6.7 L/100 km combined. All models featured standard AWD in Canada, with various package options. The RX's interior boasted quality materials and ambient lighting, though the controls ranged from baffling to brilliant. Lexus avoided the single curved display trend, maintaining a unique interior design.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Despite its modest power, the Venue's lightweight design, weighing between 1,200 and 1,250 kilograms, allowed it to perform adequately, especially with its continuously variable transmission (CVT) maximizing available power. The Venue excelled in urban environments, offering nimble handling and excellent visibility. However, its suspension struggled on rough surfaces, leading to a busy ride quality. On highways, the Venue could maintain traffic pace and climb grades without issue, though the engine and CVT became noisy under pressure. The Venue lacked AWD, with power directed to the front wheels, but its 17 centimetres of ground clearance and winter tires allowed it to handle snow better than typical cars. Fuel economy was rated at 7.5 L/100 km combined, though our testing loop averaged 7.8 L/100 km, slightly disappointing.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance. The RX 350h, the least powerful, featured a hybrid powertrain with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 6.5 L/100 km combined fuel economy. The RX 450h+ PHEV used the same engine with a larger battery and more powerful electric motor, producing 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and six-speed automatic transmission, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds but with worse fuel economy. The RX 500h featured sport-tuned suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Direct4 AWD, offering quick acceleration and a rewarding drivetrain. However, it averaged 13.5 L/100 km on our testing loop, higher than the estimated 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and performance brakes provided a firm but not uncomfortable ride, though communication between the road and driver was lacking, making it less rewarding dynamically.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easier entry and exit from the front and back seats. Despite its small size, the Venue offered decent comfort, with a driver's seat featuring manual height adjustment and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The front seats had fabric inserts, artificial leather bolsters, and heated cushions. The back seat technically accommodated three people, but two would be more comfortable, with limited storage and no air conditioning vents. Front storage was decent, with a useful dashboard shelf. Cargo space was 528 litres, expanding to 902 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, a midsize two-row SUV, focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats, though heated and ventilated, felt snug due to enhanced bolstering, and the bottom cushions were uncomfortable after extended driving. The automatic climate system's fan was loud on hot days. A panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, which featured optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated seats, providing ample room for adults. Interior storage was practical, though the rear centre armrest lacked lining, causing potential noise. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks, underfloor storage, and a cargo cover. Folding the second row increased cargo volume to 1,308 litres, though this was limited for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics, logical menus, and simple operation. Below the screen were stereo volume and radio tuning knobs, along with buttons for quick access to functions. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system, though better speakers would benefit youthful consumers.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was equipped with high-tech features, including digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The steering wheel controls were distracting and potentially dangerous, reminiscent of Lexus's failed Remote Touch Interface. However, the Lexus Interface infotainment system was advanced, with a volume knob, large climate control dials, and a 14-inch touchscreen display. It included generous subscriptions to connected services, a conversational digital voice assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also offered SiriusXM satellite radio, cloud-based navigation, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Despite some glitches, the technology worked well, though steering wheel controls were frustrating.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came standard with forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver monitoring system. The Venue Preferred added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist were unavailable. The lane-keeping assist system and forward-collision warning had some inaccuracies, but overall, the Venue provided decent occupant protection. The IIHS rated the Venue Good in three crash tests, with an Acceptable rating for the Ultimate trim's LED headlights. The NHTSA gave the Venue a four-star overall rating.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency button, and roadside assistance for up to ten years. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard. Proactive Driving Assist monitored progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX Hybrid also offered a surround-view camera and lane-change assist. In NHTSA crash tests, the RX received a five-star overall rating, but the IIHS rated it Poor in the moderate overlap frontal-impact test.