2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a postmodern automotive styling with its massive corporate grille, complementing its stout and chunky design. This design suggested utility and dynamic handling, primarily delivering on the latter. Inside, the cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic, with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, highlighting one of the Q3’s standout features. Although the interior was initially a standout when it debuted in 2019, Volkswagen's similar designs made the Q3 feel less unique, though still modern and refined.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue presented a timeless design that seemed unlikely to age poorly. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a substantial appearance despite its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design. The Venue's exterior updates from 2020 to 2021 included new alloy wheels for all trims, enhancing its stylish appeal. The Denim trim stood out with its unique paint job and white roof, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features previously part of an extra-cost package.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Q3's performance was lively, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping. Despite some turbo lag in the base engine, the Q3 delivered nimble handling and a comfortable ride, striking a balance between engagement and refinement.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission, provided adequate power for its lightweight frame. While not thrilling, the Venue's performance was sufficient for city driving, though it lacked the power for more demanding situations. Front-wheel drive was the only option, with a drive mode for snowy conditions, but no all-wheel drive was available.

The Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the cargo space was subpar for its class, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space. The front seats were comfortable with deep cargo pockets, and the rear seats provided impressive headroom and legroom, making it suitable for four passengers on a road trip.

The Hyundai Venue's front seats provided plenty of headroom and legroom, with decent storage space. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space was limited, offering 18.7 cubic feet with the back seat in place and 31.9 cubic feet with it down. Compared to competitors, the Venue lagged in cargo capacity, though it offered extra ground clearance.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Audi’s MMI system, standard Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with features like wireless charging and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit offered a customizable digital display, enhancing the tech experience.

The Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided easy access to media and settings, and the system supported driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue's infotainment was user-friendly, with charming design details like tube-amp-style radio displays.

The Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Additional options like a 360-degree camera system and self-parking assist were available.

The Hyundai Venue offered standard automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, demonstrating its safety capabilities despite its small size.