2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. The refresh introduced a traditional front end with a central Ford logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous grille. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-color accents, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat provided excellent long-distance driving comfort. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, which felt cost-cutting in some areas.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, offered a stylish design despite its affordability. The Limited trim, tested in Ecotronic Gray, presented a mature look. 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 highlights, with controls reflecting Hyundai's quality. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, offering a high-quality feel for a small SUV.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could be configured with FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite its power, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding twitchy inputs.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds, the Venue's CVT maximized power efficiently. It excelled in urban environments with nimble handling and good visibility. However, the suspension struggled on rough roads, and the engine became noisy under pressure. The Venue lacked AWD, but its 6.7 inches of ground clearance helped in snowy conditions. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, though our tests showed 30.3 mpg.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfort with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The interior featured a head-up display and well-positioned armrests. However, cargo space was limited, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with seats folded, falling short of competitors like the Honda CR-V. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals, but headroom was ample.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue offered easy access due to its higher ground clearance. The front seats were comfortable, with manual height adjustment and heated cushions. The back seat was cramped for three, and storage was limited. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with seats folded, comparable to a compact car.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured Sync 4 technology, with an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between apps like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, the system was occasionally slow, and the volume knob placement was inconvenient.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and logical menus. Standard features were Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation 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 Escape received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but lacked a Top Safety Pick from IIHS due to a Marginal side-impact test score. Standard safety features included Co-Pilot360, with options for Co-Pilot360 2.0, adding adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.

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