Lexus RX Hybrid vs Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was a compact crossover SUV that leaned more towards a tall hatchback in its design. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and had a ground clearance of 17 centimetres, which was higher than a typical car but not as elevated as most crossover SUVs. The Venue's design was more crossover-like, with a small and narrow appearance reminiscent of European runabouts. Its upright windshield and bluff nose gave it an SUV-like presence, complemented by available roof rails. The Venue's exterior was characterized by a high nose with lower headlights, high-set daytime running lights, and a satin metallic lower fascia. Black rocker panels and wheel flares around 15- or 17-inch wheels added to its SUV aesthetic, while a two-tone roof option provided a touch of flair. Inside, the Venue offered a simple and functional look, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that resembled an iPad affixed to the dash. Body-colour trim around the air vents and shifter brought some of the exterior feel into the cabin.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid aimed for high style with its RX 500h F Sport Performance model, though it sometimes bordered on excessive flair. The front end featured a large, black trapezoidal grille flanked by slim headlights and air intakes, creating a face that was almost over-stylized. The profile was stylish yet less aggressive, with flat flares around each wheel and a character line that suggested motion. The floating roofline gave it a fastback shape, culminating in a rear spoiler. The RX 500h sat on 21-inch wheels and had a full-width taillight at the rear. Inside, the RX 500h offered a choice of Dark Graphite or Rioja Red leather, with the latter adding a sporty touch. The interior featured a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and a pair of digital screens surrounded by soft-touch materials, creating a luxurious and modern cabin environment.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was not known for its performance, as it was one of the least powerful vehicles on the market. It was equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that produced only 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with no all-wheel-drive option available. The Venue's acceleration was modest, with a 0-100 km/h time ranging from 8.5 to 8.8 seconds, as tested by Car and Driver and Road & Track. Despite its low power output, the Venue's lightweight construction, weighing in at 1,251 kilograms, contributed to its peppy feel in city traffic. However, highway driving revealed the limitations of its power, with the transmission being slow to downshift for more thrust. The Venue's handling benefited from its small size and low weight, making it easy to maneuver in traffic and fit into tight parking spots. The ride was generally comfortable, though the solid rear axle made it jiggly on rough roads.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid, specifically the RX 500h F Sport Performance, offered a different approach to power. It combined a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system to produce a total of 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The engine generated 271 horsepower, while two electric motors contributed the remaining 95 horsepower. The RX 500h featured all-wheel drive, with the front motor positioned between the engine and the six-speed automatic transmission, and the rear motor integrated into an eAxle. This setup allowed for seamless transitions between electric and gas propulsion, with power stepping up smoothly through the gears. The RX 500h achieved a 0-96 km/h time of 5.9 seconds, providing strong performance, though not as quick as some luxury rivals. The RX 500h came with standard adaptive dampers, rear-axle steering, and a firmer suspension, enhancing its handling capabilities. However, the steering lacked feel, and the all-season tires offered limited grip. The RX 500h's ride was firm, especially in Sport mode, and could become busy on bumpy roads.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered a practical interior with cloth and synthetic leather seats that mimicked sport seats with black upholstery and white contrast stitching. The seats were comfortable, with six-way manual adjustments allowing most drivers to find a natural driving position. Standard front seat heating was a welcome feature, though legroom was limited for taller individuals in the front seat. The rear seat provided just enough space for average-sized adults, but taller passengers would struggle for legroom. The rear seat could accommodate two adults comfortably, but three would be cramped. The rear seats folded flat in a 60/40 split, expanding the cargo space to 528 litres, while the capacity with the seats up was 902 litres. The Venue's interior featured hard black plastic surfaces, with only the top of the centre console and door armrests offering soft-touch materials.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a more luxurious interior experience. The RX 500h featured eight-way power-adjustable sport seats with standard heating and cooling, offering ample support and room for larger frames. The steering wheel was also heated, and a panoramic sunroof came standard. The rear seats provided good legroom, even for larger adults, though fitting three adults in the back would be uncomfortable. The RX 500h offered 838 litres of cargo space with the second row up, and 1,308 litres with the seats folded down via power controls. This cargo capacity was average for the class, providing ample space for various needs.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a simple 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment functions. While the screen size felt small by modern standards, it was still functional, with large icons and quick response times. The system included phone, radio, media, and phone projection connections, along with voice memos, settings controls, and a user manual. It lacked features like navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. The Venue also featured a digital instrument cluster with limited information display and a standard wireless charging pad in Canada. The audio system consisted of a basic six-speaker unit, with no premium option available.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a more advanced technology suite. The RX 500h came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, along with a standard head-up display. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Lexus Intelligent Assist for voice commands. The touchscreen was driver-oriented and responsive, a significant improvement over previous Lexus systems. However, the touch-sensitive steering wheel pads were frustrating to use, as they controlled multiple functions, making it difficult to navigate without distraction. Lexus also provided a three-year Drive Connect subscription with Google points of interest and real-time traffic information.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue, despite being a budget-friendly option, came with a good set of standard safety features. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, though adaptive cruise control was not available. The Venue received a four-star safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not released full ratings at the time. The Venue scored a "Good" rating in the small front overlap test, but other ratings were unavailable.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more. Standard features also included front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included automatic parking, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The RX received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but scored a "Poor" rating in the updated moderate front overlap test by the IIHS, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick award. The safety features worked well during testing, though the touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons for cruise control were challenging to use.