2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was built on the N3 platform, shared with the larger Kia Sorento, resulting in a significant size increase over its predecessor. It was 7.1 inches longer with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, enhancing rear-seat legroom. The model was also about an inch taller and half an inch wider. The Sportage Hybrid featured a bold design with angular LED headlights and distinctive “boomerang” LED daytime running lights, setting it apart from other vehicles. The interior boasted a minimalist design centered around a large infotainment display, with SynTex artificial leather upholstery and gloss black plastic trim, which, while stylish, was prone to smudges.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, offered a more compact and affordable option. The Limited trim, with Ecotronic Gray paint, presented a mature and subdued appearance. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was stylish, with unexpected touches like stripes and piping on the seats and white trim around the dashboard air vents. The interior featured hard plastics but maintained a quality feel. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, providing a modern and user-friendly experience.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid utilized a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor, producing 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter standard on higher trims. The powertrain delivered smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The Sportage Hybrid provided a comfortable ride, aided by a well-tuned transmission and quiet cabin, though its steering felt nonlinear in Sport mode. It had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

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, it was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that maximized power for city and suburban driving. The Venue excelled in urban environments with its nimble handling and excellent visibility. However, its suspension struggled on rough roads, and the engine became noisy under heavy acceleration. The Venue lacked all-wheel drive but offered 6.7 inches of ground clearance. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower efficiency.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom and cargo space than its non-hybrid counterpart. It provided more front-seat headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrids but less in the rear. The dual-level cargo floor allowed for 39.5 cubic feet of space with seats up and 73.7 cubic feet with seats folded. The interior featured a rotary shift knob, large storage bins, and clever cupholders, enhancing practicality.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance made entry and exit easier. The front seats included manual height adjustment and tilt-and-telescopic steering, with appealing fabric inserts 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 with seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with seats folded, comparable to a compact car. The Venue included a useful dashboard shelf for additional storage.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid came with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a panoramic display with a digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch controls and analog knobs for audio and climate adjustments. Hybrid models included multiple USB-C ports, wireless charging, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system.

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 a native voice recognition system and streaming capabilities, though the sound system could have been better.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's safety ratings were unavailable at the time of testing. It included standard features like forward collision warning and lane keep assist, with higher trims offering advanced tech like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. The SX-Prestige trim provided unique features like Remote Smart Parking Assist and a blind-spot view camera.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and a driver monitoring system. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. 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.