2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed to defy the passage of time with its design. Its upright stance, nearly horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a unique presence that belied its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the overall design. Roof rails and wide-spaced letters spelling out "Venue" at the back added to its crossover appeal. The headlights and taillights featured intriguing patterns, enhancing its modern look. The Venue's exterior updates from the 2020 model were minimal, with alloy wheels replacing steel ones on the base trim and standard 17-inch alloys on higher trims. The top-line Denim trim, with its white roof and unique paint job, was particularly eye-catching, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features previously part of an extra-cost package.

Inside, the Venue's cabin was a testament to how an inexpensive car could still feel modern and functional. While plastic materials were prevalent, the design allowed for ample light to enter, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. The SEL trim offered heated seats and a modern look despite its budget-friendly build. The Venue's interior was practical, with thin A-pillars, large windows, and an upright windshield contributing to a greenhouse-like feel. However, the use of inexpensive materials was evident, with visible mechanical tracks for the optional power sunroof and a lack of soft-touch finishes.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a complete makeover, marking the start of its second generation. The exterior changes resulted in a dramatic and attractive crossover SUV. The front featured a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes, giving it a concept-car-like appearance with plenty of chrome accents. The long hood and steeply-raked windshield conveyed elegance, while the blacked-out pillars created a floating roof effect. The top-of-the-line Autograph trim level further enhanced this effect with a contrasting black roof. The rear design was tasteful, with "INFINITI" spelled out in chrome letters across the liftgate. However, the Autograph trim's chromed panels at the rear fascia were a slight misstep, resembling fake exhaust outlets.

Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with horizontal lines and layers emphasizing this spaciousness. The Autograph trim level featured quilted leather upholstery on the seats and dash, adding a touch of luxury. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was well-placed for easy access, and the TFT instrument panel provided crisp graphics. The center console controls were intuitive and easy to use. The QX60 models for the U.S. market were built in Tennessee, showcasing a high level of craftsmanship and build quality expected from Infiniti vehicles.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This small, economical engine was designed to provide just enough power for the Venue's lightweight build, making it feel lively in lower-speed areas. However, it lacked the potency of turbocharged or larger engines, leaving it in the middle of its segment. The Venue was only available with front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) managed the power. While the CVT offered adequate performance, it didn't provide the most thrilling driving experience. The Venue's slim weight of 2,612 pounds allowed it to move sprightly through city streets, but it wasn't built for high-speed highway driving.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. This naturally aspirated engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offered a superior driving experience compared to the previous CVT-equipped model. The nine-speed transmission shifted cleanly and crisply, enhancing the driving feel. The QX60's suspension was reworked, providing a smooth and serene ride, while the electric power steering delivered good feedback. The QX60's fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway for AWD models. Despite its size, the QX60 handled well, with minimal body roll, but it wasn't designed for aggressive cornering. The QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets, offering a comfortable ride for passengers in all three rows.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a surprisingly spacious front cabin, with ample headroom and legroom for its size. Storage space was decent, with a handy tray ahead of the gear selector and another in front of the passenger. The center console's bin was small but functional, and automatic climate control efficiently managed the cabin's temperature. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer drives, though headroom was sufficient. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Venue's cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Toyota C-HR, and Ford EcoSport, making it less suitable for those prioritizing cargo space.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, on the other hand, offered a spacious and versatile interior. The three-row SUV provided ample storage, charging ports, and comfort for all passengers. The center console featured a cubby for smartphones, large cupholders, and covered storage. The second-row seats could slide fore and aft, with a 60/40 split bench or captain's chairs in the Autograph trim. Access to the third row was easy, and adults could sit comfortably with shared legroom. The QX60 offered 14.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 41.6 cubic feet with it folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows down. It also had a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its technology offerings, despite its budget-friendly price. An 8-inch touchscreen sat atop the dash, flanked by physical buttons for easy access to media and settings. The interface was designed for simplicity, with high-resolution graphics and responsive swipe functionality. The infotainment system allowed for driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue SE was set to receive wireless CarPlay in the future, but the SEL and Denim trims would not.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 continued Infiniti's tradition of impressive technology. It featured full LED lighting, a power liftgate, and a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. An AT&T WiFi hotspot, multiple USB charge points, and a wireless charging pad were standard on higher trims. The navigation system, Infiniti InTouch services, and a simplified version of Alexa were available. The Autograph trim included a head-up display and a smart rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience. The QX60 offered a nine-speaker audio system in lower trims, with a 17-speaker Bose system available in higher trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a range of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning as standard. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue's safety systems were well-integrated, avoiding intrusive alerts. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions and rollover.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the previous model received high safety ratings. The QX60 came with a comprehensive set of airbags, LATCH connectors, and advanced driver assistance systems, including forward emergency braking, predictive forward-collision warning, and blind-spot warning. ProPilot Assist was standard on all but the base trim, with additional optional features like lane-departure prevention and an around-view monitor.