2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in six trim levels, offering a range of options from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims stood out with their distinctive two-part face design. The Adventure trim featured a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and faux skid plates, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, orange accents added a splash of color to the otherwise basic interior, with features like a frameless rearview mirror enhancing its premium feel. The RAV4 offered a mix of fabric and synthetic leather seats, with various levels of adjustability and comfort features like heated and ventilated seats.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was sold in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $21,275 to $24,525. The Limited trim, tested in Ecotronic Gray, gave the Venue a mature look. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was stylish, with unexpected touches like stripes and piping on the seats. The interior featured hard plastics but maintained a quality feel. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, offering a modern and user-friendly experience. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, with a focus on style and quality.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with front-wheel drive, except for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured all-wheel drive. It was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly exciting, the RAV4's performance was adequate, though it could be noisy. The Adventure trim had 19-inch wheels with all-season tires, while the TRD Off-Road offered a more robust setup with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds, the Venue's CVT maximized its power for city and suburban driving. Its small size and nimble handling made it ideal for urban environments, though the suspension struggled on rough roads. The Venue lacked all-wheel drive, but its 6.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle light snow. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower efficiency.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five, offering 37.7 inches of front headroom and 39.5 inches in the rear. Front legroom was 41 inches, with 37.8 inches in the back. The RAV4 provided ample storage, including a shelf above the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's higher ground clearance made entry and exit easier. The front seats featured manual adjustments and heated cushions, while the back seat was better suited for two passengers. Storage was limited, with no rear air vents or privacy glass. The Venue offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats down.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to 10.5 inches on higher trims. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on select trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and intuitive controls. Standard tech included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, 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 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, including lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with strong crash-test performance.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring on higher trims. It received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.