2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a gap in Hyundai's lineup by entering the subcompact SUV segment. Despite the earlier introduction of the Kona, the Venue distinguished itself with a more affordable and upright design. It featured unique touches like a contrasting white roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille reminiscent of Hyundai's larger SUVs. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and spacious cabin with excellent visibility, making it a practical choice for drivers.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling evolved over time, becoming more proportionate since its debut. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels, from the basic Latitude to the more refined 80th Anniversary Edition. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded SUV market, bearing a resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee. Its interior was simple and businesslike, with higher trims offering more upscale materials like suede and Nappa leather.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was powered by a single 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. It primarily featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT) and was front-wheel drive only. While it offered decent ride height, its acceleration was underwhelming, and it struggled to reach highway speeds quickly. The Venue's fuel economy was commendable, averaging 31.7 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower, a 3.2-liter V-6 with 271 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Cherokee excelled in off-road capability, especially the Trailhawk model, which featured Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, its acceleration was modest, and it was available in both FWD and AWD configurations.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue prioritized passenger space over cargo capacity, offering 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It provided ample head- and legroom in the front and decent legroom in the back. The Venue's control layout was intuitive, with traditional buttons and dials complementing modern technology. However, automatic climate control on higher trims had a confusing display.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet when folded, placing it at the lower end of its class. It provided 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that aspect. The interior was straightforward, with higher trims offering more luxurious materials. The Cherokee's cabin was designed for practicality rather than luxury.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The screen placement was ergonomic, allowing easy access while driving. Hyundai's logical touchscreen layout minimized distractions, with redundant hard buttons for major functions.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee boasted the Uconnect infotainment system, available with 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens. It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and included a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. The system was user-friendly, with easy access to climate controls and remote start available on higher trims.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also featured advanced driver-assistance technologies like forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee received "Good" scores in crashworthiness from the IIHS but lacked a Top Safety Pick award. It earned a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was available on select trims.