2023 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

During our time in Texas, the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models showcased fresh styling with updated headlights, taillights, and new wheel designs. The new paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue and interior options such as Terracotta added a modern touch. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro offered 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. Inside, the Telluride boasted a digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, giving it a futuristic edge.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, with its SE, SEL, and Limited trims, offered a more compact and affordable option. The Limited trim, painted in Ecotronic Gray, provided a mature look. Despite its small size, the Venue's design was stylish, with fabric inserts and artificial leather bolsters in the seats. The interior featured hard plastics but maintained a sense of quality with thoughtful details like white trim around the air vents. The Venue's compact dimensions made it ideal for city driving, with easy entry and exit due to its higher ground clearance.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, and Sport, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting. The Telluride averaged 24.1 mpg in the X-Line and 20.4 mpg in the X-Pro, with the latter excelling in off-road conditions. The X-Pro's enhanced suspension and towing capacity of 5,500 pounds made it a robust choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, was paired with a CVT. Weighing 2,612 pounds, it was agile in urban settings, though less powerful on highways. The Venue's suspension struggled on rough roads, but it managed freeway speeds and mountain grades adequately. With a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, it handled snowy conditions better than typical cars. The Venue achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg in combined driving, though our tests showed 30.3 mpg.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered seating for seven or eight, with premium Nappa leather and ventilated front and second-row seats in the SX Prestige trim. The interior was spacious, with a power lumbar system for long trips. The second row featured manual sunshades, USB ports, and climate controls, while the third row was more comfortable than many competitors. Cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue provided decent comfort despite its size, with manual seat adjustments and heated front seats. The back seat was cramped for three, and storage was limited. The Venue's cargo space was comparable to a compact car, offering 18.7 cubic feet, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The Venue's higher ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though climate controls required manual adjustment. Kia Access allowed remote control via smartphone apps, and the Telluride included six USB ports, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. Upgrades included a Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, and a Full Display Mirror. The head-up display provided essential driving information.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's 8-inch touchscreen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a navigation system and SiriusXM on the Limited trim. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the switch to wired connections for upgraded features was inconvenient. Despite this, the Venue's system was sophisticated, with effective voice recognition and streaming capabilities.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Drive Assist 2.0 offered semi-autonomous driving, and the SUV included a Rear Occupant Alert system. The Telluride's safety systems were effective, providing confidence on the road.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included Hyundai SmartSense, with forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and a rear-seat reminder. The Venue SEL added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue received Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star rating from the NHTSA, though it lacked some advanced features like adaptive cruise control.