2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, with a starting price of $33,700, presented itself as an affordable electrified SUV option. Its exterior featured sporty black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, while the interior remained basic unless upgraded to the leather-lined Sport-L Hybrid at $36,700 or the Sport Touring Hybrid at $39,850. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, was priced at $41,175, including destination charges, and sported Canyon River Blue paint. The CR-V's design was conservative, with a technical front resembling an angry robot, but it carried too much visual weight over the front wheels. The rear quarter view was its best angle, offering an upscale appearance with Volvo-like taillights. Inside, the Sport Touring trim boasted leather seats with orange stitching and quality details, such as a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vent covers, exuding sophistication in the compact SUV segment.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, ranged from $21,275 to $24,525, including destination charges. The Venue SEL, priced at $23,275, was recommended for its improved exterior and added features. Our Limited trim test vehicle, with Ecotronic Gray paint and carpeted floor mats, had an MSRP of $24,735. The Venue's design was appealing, offering genuine style for an affordable car. Inside, it featured hard plastics but maintained a stylish look with seat stripes and white trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, with controls exhibiting typical Hyundai quality. The Venue was thoughtfully designed, stylishly detailed, and high-quality for a small SUV.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front or all four wheels. The system worked transparently, with only low-speed acoustic warnings and engine droning on hills being noticeable. The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid, with standard AWD and larger wheels, was rated at 37 mpg combined by the EPA but achieved 32.4 mpg in our mountainous test loop. The CR-V offered a quiet ride, predictable handling, and impressive grip, though the steering was heavy even in Normal mode. It was easy to drive but not suited for off-road adventures or spirited driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds in base SE trim, the Venue's CVT maximized power for city and suburban driving. It handled well in urban environments, but the suspension struggled on rough roads, resulting in a busy ride. On highways, the Venue maintained speed but sounded harsh under acceleration. With no AWD option, the Venue's 6.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle snow better than typical cars. The Venue achieved 31 mpg combined according to the EPA but returned 30.3 mpg in our test loop, slightly below expectations.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, while the front passenger seat offered similar comfort with limited adjustments. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control enhanced comfort. The CR-V's wide rear doors and spacious back seat made it ideal for families, with ample legroom and adjustable backrests. Storage was plentiful, though the glove compartment was smaller than expected. The Sport Touring's hands-free power liftgate revealed a 34.7 cubic foot cargo area, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. Despite its small size, the Venue offered decent comfort, with a manually adjustable driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The front seats featured fabric inserts and heated cushions. The back seat was cramped for three, with hard plastic front seatbacks and limited storage. USB ports were available for rear passengers, but air conditioning vents were absent. The Venue's cargo space was comparable to a compact car, offering 18.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 9-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a premium sound system were reserved for higher trims. The Sport Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Bluetooth pairing was quick, but the voice recognition system was basic. The CR-V Hybrid featured a walk-away automatic locking system for added security.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and logical menus. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, a wireless charger, and Bluelink+ services. However, it required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with impressive voice recognition, though it lacked premium stereo speakers.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The system performed well in various driving conditions, with only minor inaccuracies. The CR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for 2023, though NHTSA ratings were pending.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Venue SEL added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue lacked adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. The safety systems had minor inaccuracies, but the Venue offered decent occupant protection. The IIHS rated it Good in three crash tests, while the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.