2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat plain exterior, offered a practical and functional design. Its Cascade Green Silica paint was reminiscent of many Foresters seen over the years. The Touring trim, priced at $37,720, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, enhancing its appearance. The Forester's design was utilitarian, with robust roof rails capable of supporting a tent. Inside, the Touring trim boasted Saddle Brown leather, metallic accents, and an 8-inch touchscreen, though hard plastics were prevalent. The interior layout was busy but user-friendly, with traditional buttons and knobs.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue, priced from $21,275 to $24,735, presented a more youthful and stylish design. The Limited trim in Ecotronic Gray paint gave it a mature look. 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. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen were highlights, offering a modern and sophisticated experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. It featured Subaru Intelligent Drive with a Sport mode and X-Mode for off-road conditions. The Forester excelled in adverse weather, handling flooded roads and muddy trails with ease. Its driving dynamics were impressive, offering a comfortable yet engaging ride. However, the engine was merely adequate, and fuel economy fell short of expectations at 25.9 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, with its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, was lighter at 2,612 pounds. The CVT maximized power for city driving, but the Venue struggled on rough roads due to its suspension setup. It managed highway speeds but lacked power with additional passengers. The Venue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg, but it achieved 30.3 mpg during testing.

The Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable seats, and heated elements in higher trims. Visibility was excellent, and the cargo area was spacious, with up to 74.2 cubic feet available. However, the sunroof's lack of tint and the rear seat comfort were drawbacks.

The Hyundai Venue provided decent comfort with manual seat adjustments and heated front seats. The back seat was cramped for three, and storage was limited. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Venue's higher ground clearance made entry and exit easier.

The Forester's technology included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch display, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The user interface was straightforward, but voice recognition was unreliable.

The Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation and a wireless charger, though it required wired connections for smartphone integration. The infotainment system was sophisticated, with effective voice recognition.

The 2023 Forester included Subaru's EyeSight technology with updated software and cameras. It offered features like Automatic Emergency Steering and Rear Automatic Braking. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. The Limited trim added cyclist detection. The Venue received Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.