2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, even if it lacked the futuristic design of some competitors. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end, making the grille appear smaller and more refined. The gold Bowtie emblem varied in appeal depending on the paint color, with Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic being particularly flattering. The Equinox was available in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with options for FWD or AWD. Its design shared elements with the larger Chevrolet Traverse, and the interior offered a sense of spaciousness, highlighted by two-tone leather upholstery in the Premier trim. Despite some dated elements, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, with features like a traditional PRNDL shift lever and a well-equipped Confidence and Convenience II package.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was sold in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $21,275 to $24,525. The Limited trim, with Ecotronic Gray paint, gave the Venue a mature appearance. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was stylish and appealing. Inside, the Venue featured hard plastics but maintained a sense of style with striped seats and white trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen were well-received, and the controls were of typical Hyundai quality. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, offering a high-quality feel for a small SUV.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled at higher speeds, taking about eight seconds to reach highway speed. The six-speed automatic transmission held gears longer, contributing to engine noise. AWD was available but required manual engagement. The Equinox's braking system was upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth and predictable braking. Its suspension handled bumps well, and the steering was tight and accurate.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds, the Venue's CVT maximized power efficiently, making it suitable for city driving. However, its suspension struggled on rough roads, leading to a busy ride quality. On highways, the Venue maintained speed but produced noise when pushed. It lacked AWD, but its 6.7 inches of ground clearance offered some advantage in snow. The Venue achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower efficiency.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with seats folded. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom. The interior used quality plastics, and storage options included cup holders and a center console bin. The Premier trim featured a nearly silent power liftgate.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, with increased ground clearance, provided easy access to seats. Front seats had manual adjustments and heated cushions. The back seat was better for two passengers, with limited storage and no rear air vents. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with seats down. The Venue included a dashboard shelf for additional storage.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology was straightforward, with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen depending on the trim. While not flashy, it was easy to use, with quick response and good voice recognition. All trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad standard on the Premier trim.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and simple operation. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, and a wireless charger, though it required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was sophisticated, with impressive voice recognition.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with standard ADAS, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. It received a five-star NHTSA rating but scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included Hyundai SmartSense, with features like forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. The Limited trim added cyclist detection. It received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star NHTSA rating.