2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco was celebrated for its retro-cool styling combined with modern engineering, making it a standout in the automotive landscape. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and large round headlights were distinctive features. The Base trim offered a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim showcased a wide stance and massive tires. The Heritage trim added nostalgic elements like a white grille and plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's design was not just for aesthetics; functional elements like cleats above the headlights and raised fins aided in cargo securing and obstacle navigation. Inside, the rugged theme continued with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof upholstery, emphasizing durability over luxury.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue presented a more subdued yet stylish appearance, especially in the Limited trim with its Ecotronic Gray paint. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was appealing, with unexpected style elements like seat stripes and white dashboard trim. The interior featured hard plastics but avoided looking cheap, and the digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, offering a high-quality feel for a small SUV.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It was available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the Raptor's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 produced 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All models featured four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road capabilities without sacrificing on-road manners, offering a quieter ride than the Jeep Wrangler. However, its high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curvy roads.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds, the Venue's CVT maximized available power for city and suburban driving. Its small size and nimble handling made it ideal for urban environments, though the suspension struggled on rough roads. The Venue managed highway speeds with ease but lacked the power for more demanding driving conditions. It offered front-wheel drive only, with 6.7 inches of ground clearance, and achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, especially in the four-door model, which offered easier rear seat access. The two-door model had 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 52.3 cubic feet with seats folded, while the four-door offered 35.6 cubic feet, expanding to 77.6 cubic feet. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, limiting cargo flexibility. The Bronco's design allowed for easy removal of fenders and doors, enhancing its off-road appeal.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's higher ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. Despite its compact size, it offered decent comfort, with adjustable front seats and heated cushions. The back seat was better suited 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 the rear seats folded. The Venue provided practical storage solutions, including a dashboard shelf.

The 2023 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance off-road capabilities with G.O.A.T. drive modes and multiple camera views for navigating challenging terrain. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Ford’s SYNC 4 system, with an optional 12-inch display for improved usability.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and logical menus. Standard tech 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 Ford Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from NHTSA. It offered standard safety features like forward collision warning and hill-start assist, with additional options available in higher trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. The Venue received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist.