2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX presented a commanding presence with its large spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Standing at an overall height of 74.2 inches, it was designed to dominate the road. The front end, with its massive headlights, framed the GX’s distinctive face, giving it an aggressive look. The Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability, offering exclusive paint colors like Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX appeared engineered for off-road adventures, with short overhangs and a sleek aesthetic compared to Toyota’s blocky designs. Inside, the GX had a mix of luxury touches and disappointing plastic materials, with features like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, offered a more compact and stylish design. Our test vehicle in Limited trim featured Ecotronic Gray paint, giving it a mature appearance. Despite its affordability, the Venue boasted genuine style with unexpected interior details like striped seat piping and white dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display added to its appeal. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, providing a high-quality feel for a small SUV.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 delivered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. It had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with an EPA estimate of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX’s weight contributed to its rolling feel in corners, but its driving dynamics were improved with a Torsen limited-slip differential and a 4WD system.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds, it was agile in city environments, with a CVT maximizing its power. The Venue struggled on rough roads due to its suspension but handled highways confidently. It lacked AWD, relying on front-wheel drive, but offered 6.7 inches of ground clearance. The Venue achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, though our tests showed slightly less.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console and convenient cupholders. It retained physical controls, avoiding haptic-touch interfaces. The second row was comfortable, but the third row was tight and the cargo space limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding seats expanded capacity to 64.7 cubic feet, less than a Toyota RAV4.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue provided easy access with its higher seating position. Front seats had manual adjustments and heated cushions, while the back seat was better for two passengers. Storage was limited, and there were no rear air vents. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Despite improvements, the system felt dated compared to other Lexus models. The GX excelled in off-road technology with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue had an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and logical menus. It included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation and a wireless charger, though it required wired connections for smartphone integration. The Venue’s infotainment system was sophisticated, with impressive voice recognition.

The 2023 Lexus GX lacked crash test ratings but included ADAS features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Despite its older design, it offered modern safety technology.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Venue received Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star rating from the NHTSA, though it lacked adaptive cruise control.