2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, based on the SR5 Premium trim, offered a nostalgic design with retro body stripes and bronze accents. It featured a heritage grille, bronze 17-inch wheels, and unique interior touches, creating a strong Southern California vibe. The 4Runner maintained its classic truck-based SUV appearance, appealing to those who appreciated its enduring style. Inside, the cabin was practical, with solid materials and user-friendly controls, even accommodating gloved hands.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue presented a more modern and compact design. With its Ecotronic Gray paint, the Venue Limited trim exuded a mature yet stylish appearance. Despite its affordability, the Venue's interior showcased unexpected style elements, such as seat stripes and white dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display added to its contemporary feel, making it a thoughtfully designed small SUV.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive or two 4WD systems. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, offering technologies like Hill-Start Assist, Downhill Assist Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. However, its on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration and heavy steering. The 4Runner averaged 16.9 mpg in testing, slightly below its EPA rating of 17 mpg combined.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing just 2,612 pounds, it utilized a CVT to maximize power. The Venue excelled in urban environments, offering nimble handling and excellent visibility. However, its suspension struggled on rough roads, and the engine became noisy under pressure. The Venue lacked AWD but provided 6.7 inches of ground clearance. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, with a test average of 30.3 mpg.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique power-down rear window, enhancing ventilation. While entry required effort for shorter individuals, the interior offered comfortable seating with SofTex artificial leather. The second row provided ample space, but the optional third row was cramped and reduced cargo capacity. Without the third row, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's higher ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. The interior, though compact, provided decent comfort with adjustable front seats and heated cushions. The back seat was better suited for two passengers, with limited storage and no air vents. Cargo space was comparable to a compact car, offering 18.7 cubic feet, expandable to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM, with options for navigation and a JBL sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with effective voice recognition, though it lacked modern graphics.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and intuitive menus. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with upgrades for navigation and a wireless charger. However, the Limited trim required wired connections for smartphone integration. The Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with impressive voice recognition.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it received a four-star NHTSA rating, with lower scores for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included Hyundai SmartSense, featuring forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It earned a four-star NHTSA rating and Good ratings in IIHS crash tests, with an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights.