Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000, with the base Hybrid LE starting at $51,435, including destination charges. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, while a front-wheel drive version was available in the U.S. The Highlander Hybrid offered upgrades to the XLE AWD with a Special Edition package or the Limited trim with a Platinum package. The Limited trim with the Platinum package had an MSRP of $61,800 in Canada. The 2023 model saw minimal appearance changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour. The design was considered over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior was criticized for its mismatched textures, reflections, and lack of quality, with controls and storage areas feeling inexpensive and poorly designed.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was available in Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $23,581 to $28,081, including destination charges. The Venue Preferred trim was recommended for its improved exterior appearance and added features. The test vehicle, equivalent to the U.S. Ultimate trim, had an MSRP of $28,331. The Venue's design was appealing, with a mature and subdued appearance in Ecotronic Grey paint. Inside, the Venue featured hard plastics but maintained a sense of style with striped seats and white trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were well-received, and the controls exhibited typical Hyundai quality. The Venue was seen as a thoughtfully designed, stylish, and high-quality small SUV.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, plus a third motor for AWD. It produced 243 combined horsepower, propelling the 2,060-kilogram SUV. The electric motors assisted with acceleration and allowed for low-speed electric-only driving. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power. The Highlander Hybrid could tow up to 1,588 kilograms, but power was limited, and brake fade was noted during mountain driving. Driving modes included Eco, Normal, and Sport, with a Trail mode for light off-road use. The Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to optimize fuel economy, but the test vehicle averaged 8.2 L/100 km, higher than the expected 6.7 L/100 km. The Highlander Hybrid was described as uninspiring to drive, with soft suspension, a droning CVT, and unengaging steering. It was best suited for city and suburban driving, offering a quiet and smooth ride.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured 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 for city and suburban driving. The Venue's small size, nimble handling, and visibility made it ideal for urban environments. However, the suspension struggled on rough roads, resulting in a busy ride and structural shudders. On the highway, the Venue maintained speed but sounded harsh under acceleration. The Venue lacked AWD, with power directed to the front wheels, but its 17-centimetre ground clearance aided in snowy conditions. The Venue's fuel economy was rated at 7.5 L/100 km, but the test vehicle averaged 7.8 L/100 km on a mountainous route, falling short of expectations.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was designed to accommodate seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim and configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third-row seat suitable only for occasional use. Standard features included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with the Platinum package adding a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The front seats offered power adjustment, but the driver's seat lacked cushion angle adjustment. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, with sunshades for rear-facing child seats. Access to the third row was tight, and the seats were uncomfortable for adults. The Highlander offered a dashboard shelf, rubber-lined cupholders, and a storage tray between the second-row seats. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded and 2,387 litres with the second row down.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance made entry and exit easier. The driver's seat had a manual height adjuster, and the steering wheel offered tilt-and-telescopic adjustment. Front seats featured fabric inserts, artificial leather bolsters, and heated cushions. The back seat technically accommodated three people, but two would be more comfortable. Taller passengers disliked the hard plastic front seatbacks, and rear storage space was limited. In front, the Venue offered decent storage for a small vehicle, with a dashboard shelf for the passenger. Cargo space was 528 litres, expanding to 902 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology for 2023, with upper trims featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with various themes. However, the controls were not intuitive. The dashboard housed new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and a 12.3-inch display on the Limited. Features included over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. Connected service plans varied, with Remote Connect standard for remote access via a smartphone app. The Drive Connect plan offered an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though graphics could be improved.

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. The Venue's youthful target audience might have appreciated better stereo speakers.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), a standard suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). TSS 2.5+ included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with Limited and Platinum trims adding parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well, with occasional issues on certain roads. Safety Connect was standard, offering emergency assistance and collision notification. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

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. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist were unavailable. The lane-keeping assist system had some inaccuracies, and the forward-collision warning issued one incorrect alert. The Venue offered decent occupant protection, but crash test results were valid only for similarly sized vehicles. 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 an overall four-star rating.