2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

In Canada, the 2024 Hyundai Venue was available 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 appeal and added convenience and safety features. Our test vehicle, 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 a sense of 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 highlights, with controls exhibiting typical Hyundai quality. Overall, the 2024 Venue was a thoughtfully designed, stylishly detailed, and high-quality small SUV.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, available in three powertrain variants, offered a range of trim levels in Canada, with prices from $48,846 to $67,886, including destination charges. Our test vehicle, equivalent to the mild hybrid’s Signature trim, featured extra-cost Soul Red paint, bringing the MSRP to $67,286. The CX-90's lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels gave it a luxury SUV appearance. Its sculptural sheet metal created a compelling interplay of light and shadow, while its design contributed to a low, long, athletic look. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly rendered, with polished metallic trim, Nappa leather, and clearly marked switchgear. However, design-related complaints included a confusing electronic shifter and a lack of touchscreen operation for the native infotainment functions. Despite these issues, the 2025 CX-90 exuded sophistication compared to most midsize three-row crossover SUVs from mainstream brands.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Although not powerful, the Venue's light weight of 1,200 to 1,250 kilograms and its continuously variable transmission (CVT) maximized available power, 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, with MacPherson strut front and torsion-beam rear axle, resulted in a busy ride quality on rough pavement. On highways, the Venue could maintain traffic pace and climb mountain grades, but the CVT and engine noise were noticeable under hard acceleration. The Venue lacked all-wheel-drive (AWD), with power flowing to the front wheels, but its 17 centimetres of ground clearance allowed it to handle snow with winter tires. The Venue's fuel economy was rated at 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, averaging 7.8 L/100 km on a mountainous testing loop.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a turbocharged 3.3-litre inline-six engine, with standard-output models generating 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The high-output version delivered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft, or 340 hp with premium gas. Power was transmitted through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard AWD system, with a rear-wheel bias for better dynamics. The CX-90 offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Its ground clearance ranged from 20.4 to 20.6 centimetres, with standard hill descent control. The i-Stop function aimed to improve fuel economy, with ratings of 9.3 to 9.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined, depending on the engine. The plug-in hybrid variant offered 42 kilometres of electric range and a 9.4 L/100 km combined rating once the battery was depleted. While the CX-90 provided impressive ride and handling, drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behaviour. Noise and impact harshness were also issues, detracting from the upscale impression created by the styling and interior. However, the CX-90's taut suspension and dynamic character were highlights, especially in Normal mode.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance made it easier to enter and exit the front and back seats. Despite its small dimensions, comfort was decent, with a manual height adjuster for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel adjustment. The front seats featured appealing fabric inserts, artificial leather bolsters, and heated cushions. The back seat technically accommodated three people, but two would be more comfortable. Taller passengers might find the hard plastic front seatbacks uncomfortable, and storage space for rear passengers was limited. In front, there was decent stash space, including a useful dashboard shelf. Cargo room was 528 litres, expanding to 902 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior, in Signature trim, featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the three-zone climate control system was slow to cool the cabin. The front seats were comfortable on longer trips, and a panoramic sunroof provided ample natural light. Second-row passengers enjoyed elevated seating positions, but seat-track travel was limited. The CX-90's long rear doors facilitated loading and unloading of the third row, which was best suited for children. Storage space was limited, with a smartphone charging tray, a shallow bin under the centre armrest, and stingy door panel storage. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 451 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,155 litres with the third row folded and 2,129 litres with the second row flattened.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics, logical menu structures, and simple operation. Below the screen were stereo volume and radio tuning knobs, along with buttons for quick access to commonly used functions. 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 youthful target audience.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard had a traditional look, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen in the Signature trim. Other trims used traditional gauges, with smaller infotainment screens in lower trims. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only when using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, with the native Mazda Connect platform requiring the use of a knob and buttons on the centre console. Mazda's voice recognition system was not up to modern standards, but a new Google built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system, providing a rewarding listening experience. The CX-90 also included Mazda’s Active Driving Display, a head-up display with helpful data.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with standard 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 not available. The lane-keeping assist system produced a few inaccurate alerts, and the forward-collision warning issued one incorrect warning. The Venue received Good ratings in three IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for the Ultimate trim's LED headlights. The NHTSA gave the Venue an overall rating of four stars.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of only four midsize, three-row, gas-powered SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The CX-90 PHEV earned five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests, with a four-star rollover resistance rating. Mazda provided a long list of standard driver aids, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids generally met expectations, but the speed reduction feature was irritating. The lane-keeping technologies were effective, and the blind-spot monitoring system added an extra layer of safety, despite the numerous warning chimes.