2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented itself as a sophisticated three-row, midsize SUV, boasting a modern Lincoln design that was both appealing and luxurious. It offered a choice between a standard twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and a plug-in hybrid variant, both paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Aviator's interior was a blend of high-end materials and intricate design elements, though some details, like the chrome switchgear, felt less premium. The Black Label Grand Touring model, with its ambient lighting and advanced features, aimed to deliver a sense of effortless luxury, despite some minor design missteps like the plain wheel designs.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue was a compact SUV that exuded a sense of style and practicality. With its affordable price range, the Venue offered a mature and subdued appearance, especially in the Limited trim with Ecotronic Gray paint. Inside, the Venue's cabin was thoughtfully designed, featuring hard plastics that didn't detract from its overall appeal. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display added a modern touch, while the Venue's compact size made it ideal for urban environments. Despite its small dimensions, the Venue managed to provide a comfortable and stylish interior, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring was a plug-in hybrid that delivered an impressive 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, thanks to its twin-turbo V6 engine and electric motor. Despite its added weight, the Aviator offered a 21-mile electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg in hybrid mode. The SUV featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV and Excite, allowing drivers to tailor their experience. However, the Aviator's performance was sometimes unpredictable, with inconsistent acceleration and braking behavior. Its Dynamic Handling Package and adaptive suspension provided a smooth ride, but the Aviator was more suited for comfortable cruising than spirited driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly powerful, the Venue's lightweight design and CVT allowed it to navigate city streets with ease. The Venue excelled in urban environments, offering nimble handling and excellent visibility. However, its suspension struggled on rough roads, resulting in a less refined ride. On the highway, the Venue could maintain speed, but the engine and CVT became noisy under hard acceleration. With a fuel economy rating of 31 mpg combined, the Venue was efficient, though it fell slightly short of expectations during testing.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated seats, and massaging front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and supportive, but the third-row seating was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo space was limited with all seats in use, offering just 18.3 cubic feet, but expanded to 77.7 cubic feet with the third row folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue offered decent comfort despite its compact size. The front seats featured manual adjustments and heated cushions, while the rear seat was better suited for two passengers. Storage space was limited, and the Venue lacked rear air vents and privacy glass. However, it provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The Aviator also boasted a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system and a Phone As A Key digital key system. Despite its technological prowess, the infotainment system's shortcomings were a notable drawback.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim added a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a wireless smartphone charger. However, the switch to wired connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a minor inconvenience. Overall, the Venue's infotainment system was user-friendly and sophisticated, offering a pleasant experience for tech-savvy drivers.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. However, the system's performance varied, with some inconsistencies in lane-keeping and traffic response. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. While some systems produced inaccurate alerts, the Venue generally performed well in safety evaluations. The IIHS awarded it Good ratings in crash tests, and the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.