2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $21,275 to $24,525, including destination charges. The SEL trim, priced at $23,275, was recommended for its enhanced exterior and added safety features. The Limited trim test vehicle, painted in Ecotronic Gray, had an MSRP of $24,735. Despite limited options, the Venue's design was stylish and mature, with a well-thought-out interior featuring hard plastics that didn’t appear cheap. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen were highlights, offering quality and style in a small SUV package.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing automotive icon, was offered in six trims: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. Its massive size, nearly 19 feet long and over six feet tall, made it a staple on the road. The Suburban's design was functional, with standard features like LED headlights and tinted windows. Higher trims offered luxury touches, though some expected features were optional. Inside, the Suburban provided ample space and comfort, with leather upholstery on most trims. The High Country trim, tested here, included heated and ventilated seats, though the interior felt somewhat ordinary for its class.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds in base trim, it was paired with a CVT that maximized its modest power. Best suited for city driving, the Venue offered nimble handling and good visibility. However, its suspension struggled on rough roads, and the engine became noisy under strain. With front-wheel drive and 6.7 inches of ground clearance, it lacked AWD but managed snowy conditions with winter tires. The Venue achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, though real-world tests showed slightly lower efficiency.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 277 horsepower. The 5.3-liter engine was standard on most trims, providing ample power and up to 8,300 pounds of towing capacity. The 6.2-liter V8 offered smoother acceleration, while the diesel engine excelled in fuel economy and cost savings. A 10-speed automatic transmission complemented the engines, and the Suburban's size was manageable with its well-tuned steering and brakes. The air suspension handled rough roads well, though drivers needed to account for its 6,000-pound weight.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's elevated ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. Despite its compact size, it offered decent comfort with adjustable front seats and heated cushions. The back seat was cramped for three, and taller passengers might find the hard plastic seatbacks uncomfortable. Storage was limited, and the lack of rear air vents and privacy glass was notable. Cargo space was comparable to a compact car, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the seats and 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This capacity surpassed competitors, making it ideal for families needing space for road trips and towing. The Suburban also featured a 28-gallon fuel tank, allowing for long-distance travel between fill-ups, especially with the diesel engine's efficiency.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring modern graphics and intuitive controls. Standard features 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. Despite this, the system was sophisticated, with effective voice recognition and streaming capabilities.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system included a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, with Google Built-in for seamless access to apps like Google Maps. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available. The 10-speaker Bose audio system was adequate but lacked depth compared to competitors' offerings.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional ADAS and the option for Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with mixed results in specific crash tests.