2023 Acura RDX vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Acura RDX presented a unique blend of sharp, angular styling that was both distinctive and conventional. Its signature grille, flanked by sleek wraparound headlights, gave the front a sporty and aggressive look, though the grille design seemed to be showing its age. The side profile was marked by a diagonal character line that suggested motion, while the rear design was more conventional, resembling many other small SUVs. Inside, the RDX featured a vertical cockpit layout with a center stack of controls flowing into the console, emphasizing performance with gear-selector buttons and a drive-mode dial. The interior, though not as modern as some rivals, offered a familiar feel with a digital center display and analog gauges, appealing to those averse to the latest glass cockpit designs.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, offered an appealing design with a sense of genuine style, despite its affordable price range. The Limited trim, with Ecotronic Gray paint, gave the Venue a mature appearance. Inside, the Venue featured hard plastics but maintained a stylish look with striped seat inserts and white trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were well-sized for the Venue, and the controls exhibited typical Hyundai quality. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, with stylish details and high-quality finishes, making it a standout in the small SUV category.

The 2023 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it offered front-wheel drive as standard, with the option for Acura's "super-handling all-wheel drive" (SH-AWD) on all models. The RDX accelerated to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, providing a sporty driving experience with immediate throttle response and a pleasing engine sound. The transmission was adept at selecting the right gear, and the brake pedal offered reassuring firmness. The RDX's handling was confident, with well-managed body roll and excellent traction from the AWD system, ensuring a comfortable ride over road imperfections.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds in base SE trim, the Venue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) maximized available power for city and suburban driving. While the Venue excelled in urban environments with nimble handling and excellent visibility, its suspension struggled on rough pavement, resulting in a busy ride quality. On highways, the Venue maintained pace with traffic, but the engine and CVT sounded strained under heavy acceleration. The Venue lacked all-wheel drive, but its 6.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle snowy conditions with winter tires. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded slightly lower results.

The 2023 Acura RDX offered ample space in the front seats, with additional power adjustments for side bolsters and thigh extension in top trims. The seats were generously cushioned, providing comfort for long drives, and the heated and ventilated seats quickly adjusted temperatures. The rear seats accommodated average-sized adults, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. The panoramic sunroof enhanced the cabin's open feel. Cargo space was generous, with 31.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 79.8 cubic feet with seats folded. The RDX featured various storage options, though the center stack's design could have been more space-efficient.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance made entry and exit easy. Despite its small size, the Venue offered decent comfort, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel adjustment. The front seats featured fabric inserts and heated cushions. The back seat technically accommodated three, but two passengers were more comfortable. Taller passengers might find the hard plastic front seatbacks uncomfortable. The Venue provided USB ports for rear passengers but lacked air conditioning vents and privacy glass. Cargo space was comparable to a compact car, with 18.7 cubic feet available and 31.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Acura RDX's infotainment system used a touchpad controller, which was challenging to operate, especially while driving. The dashtop display was not a touchscreen, making interaction cumbersome. However, using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto improved the experience, allowing for easier navigation with quick glances. The system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, but the interface remained one of the least user-friendly. The RDX came standard with a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote monitoring via the Acuralink app, with options for premium audio, including a 16-speaker ELS system.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and logical menus. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, a wireless charger, and Bluelink+ services. However, the upgraded system required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reducing the wireless charger's utility. Despite this, the Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with impressive voice recognition, allowing for seamless music streaming.

The 2023 Acura RDX received top safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA for overall and side crash protection and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The Technology package added parking sensors, while the Advance package included a surround-view camera and head-up display. The systems generally performed well, though lane-keep assist was better suited for straight highways.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a driver monitoring system. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, and the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue lacked adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. The safety systems occasionally issued inaccurate alerts, but overall performance was satisfactory. The Venue received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded it four stars overall.