2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed timeless in its design. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a substantial appearance, defying its compact size. The grille was well-proportioned, and the split headlights and unique taillight patterns added to its charm. Hyundai made minimal changes from the 2020 model, with alloy wheels becoming standard on higher trims. The Venue's interior, though filled with plastic, felt modern and airy, thanks to its large windows and thin A-pillars. Despite its budget-friendly materials, it offered heated seats and a contemporary look.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained Jeep's design traditions while introducing a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L. It featured a forward-leaning grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and a black roof option. The interior mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with the base Laredo offering quality cloth seats and higher trims providing luxurious features like quilted leather and a McIntosh audio system. The Grand Cherokee's redesign improved visibility, and its panoramic sunroof added an airy feel. However, rear-seat legroom was tight, and the two-row model offered less cargo space than the three-row version.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue housed a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive only. While not the most powerful, its lightweight build allowed for sprightly movement in city driving. The Venue's performance was comparable to rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport, but it lacked options for more powerful engines or all-wheel drive.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered more robust performance options with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower. The V6 provided good acceleration and efficiency, while the V8 increased towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three 4WD systems were available, catering to different off-roading needs. The Trailhawk trim excelled in off-road conditions with features like Quadra-Drive II and a Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Grand Cherokee's ride quality was excellent, and it felt nimble compared to its larger sibling.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage options. However, the back seat was tighter, and cargo space was limited to 18.7 cubic feet with seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them down. It lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport in cargo capacity.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for front passengers, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats. Visibility was improved, and the panoramic sunroof enhanced the cabin's openness. Rear-seat legroom was limited, but the two-row model offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with seats folded. The Grand Cherokee L offered more space for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and intuitive controls. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard, with customizable driver profiles. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical buttons for easy access to functions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, equipped with Uconnect 5, offering improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. It featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Optional tech included a head-up display, Night Vision, and a passenger interactive display. The McIntosh audio system and rear-seat entertainment with Amazon Fire TV integration added to its appeal.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring. It received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests for front collision and rollover.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee boasted a robust safety structure with aluminum and high-strength steel. It included advanced driver assistance systems like Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected in 2022, enhancing its semi-autonomous capabilities.