2023 Kia Sportage vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Kia Sportage underwent a complete redesign, presenting a look that was both exciting and exotic. Its styling drew comparisons to French automakers, with features like boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar adding a touch of class. The interior offered a mix of synthetic leather and cloth, with a focus on durability and animal-friendliness. The driver’s view was enhanced by a large windshield and low beltline, although some interior elements, like the hard plastic plate near the door handle, were less comfortable.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue offered a more subdued yet stylish appearance, especially in its Limited trim with 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 maintained a quality feel, with digital instrumentation and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Available in both FWD and AWD, it was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While more powerful than its predecessor, it lacked the turbocharged engine option from previous models, which affected its performance appeal. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-road capabilities, but the naturally aspirated engine struggled to compete with turbocharged rivals.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, excelled in urban environments. Its lightweight design and CVT allowed for nimble handling, though it lacked AWD. The Venue's suspension struggled on rough surfaces, and its engine became noisy under pressure. Despite this, it maintained decent highway performance and offered a fuel economy of 31 mpg combined, though real-world tests showed slightly lower results.

The 2023 Kia Sportage expanded its dimensions, offering more interior space than its predecessor. Rear-seat legroom reached 41.3 inches, and cargo space was generous at 39.6 cubic feet, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the tech-heavy controls, particularly the touch-sensitive HVAC system, proved frustrating for some users.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue provided decent comfort despite its compact size. Front seats featured manual adjustments and heated cushions, while the back seat was better suited for two passengers. Cargo space was modest, with 18.7 cubic feet available, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The Venue's higher ground clearance facilitated easier entry and exit.

The 2023 Kia Sportage boasted impressive technology, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and driver information display on higher trims. However, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on top trims puzzled many. Standard features included wireless charging and a Harman Kardon stereo on select trims, offering a high-tech experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with intuitive controls and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on base models. The Limited trim added navigation and a wireless charger, though it required wired connections for smartphone integration. Despite this, the Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with effective voice recognition and streaming capabilities.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came equipped with a robust suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, though some advanced features were limited to top trims. Crash test ratings were not yet available.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. The Limited trim added cyclist detection, but adaptive cruise control was absent. The Venue received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, though its small size could be a concern in collisions with larger vehicles.