2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class offered a retro exterior that stood out in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, with a hand-built construction in Graz, Austria. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel, allowing for a customizable and ambient cabin experience. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class remained a capable off-road machine, often seen in bold custom colors and adorned with extravagant features.

In contrast, 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 despite its compact size. The Venue's grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design. The exterior updates for 2021 included alloy wheels across all trims, enhancing its appeal. The Venue's top-line 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. Inside, the Venue was practical, with a modern look despite its budget-friendly materials, offering a greenhouse-like cabin with ample light and heated seats in the SEL trim.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 was a powerhouse with its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivering 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Despite its hefty 5,551-pound curb weight, the G550 was surprisingly quick, reaching 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, with Dynamic Select driving programs for various terrains. The G550's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 9.5-inch ground clearance and optional adjustable suspension and locking differentials. The AMG G63 variant took performance to another level with 577 horsepower, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, the G-Class's fuel economy was a downside, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for the G550.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly powerful, it was adequate for the Venue's lightweight 2,612-pound frame, providing a lively feel in city driving. The Venue featured front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission, with no all-wheel-drive option. Despite its modest power, the Venue's compact size allowed it to maneuver easily in urban environments, though it lacked the highway prowess of more powerful vehicles.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a spacious and luxurious interior with a cargo capacity of 38.1 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 68.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. It had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The front cabin was roomy, with ample storage and a tall roofline providing excellent headroom. The second row accommodated three adults comfortably, with a 60/40 split-folding seatback. However, some luxury features, like ventilated seats, were only available in expensive packages.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with practical storage solutions like a tray for small items. The back seat was tighter, suitable for short drives, and cargo space was limited to 18.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them down. While the Venue's hatchback design offered more space than a sedan, it lagged behind competitors in cargo capacity. Despite its compact size, the Venue's interior was functional, with automatic climate control and basic cupholders.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class boasted impressive tech features, including twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These customizable screens allowed for a personalized driving experience, complemented by the Burmester Surround Sound system. The COMAND system offered intuitive control via unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel. The G-Class included standard features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes me connect services, though it lacked wireless device charging.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering a user-friendly interface with physical buttons for easy access to media and settings. The high-resolution screen supported swipe functionality, and the infotainment system allowed for driver profile customization. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless CarPlay expected for the base SE trim in the future. The Venue's tech offerings were impressive for its price point, providing a modern and connected driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class featured a robust safety suite, including a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, its size and weight posed risks to pedestrians and smaller vehicles. The G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for crash-worthiness.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like 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's safety systems were well-integrated, avoiding excessive alerts. In NHTSA crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars for front collision and rollover.