2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was offered in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $21,275 to $24,525, including the destination charge. The Venue SEL, priced at $23,275, was recommended for its enhanced exterior appeal and added convenience and safety features. The Limited trim test vehicle, painted in Ecotronic Gray, had an MSRP of $24,735. While the color was subdued, it lent the Venue a mature look. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was stylish, with unexpected interior details like striped seats and white dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, showcasing Hyundai's attention to quality and style in this small SUV.

The 2024 Kia Sorento received its first major visual update since its 2021 debut, aligning its design more closely with Kia's other SUVs like the Telluride. The Sorento's new front end, with a large grille and vertically-stacked LED headlights, gave it a more imposing presence. The rear updates were subtle, with new bumpers and LED taillights on higher trims. The Sorento's trims remained the same, but the rugged X-Line package was limited to EX and higher models, and the new X-Pro trim offered a more aggressive look. Inside, the Sorento featured a redesigned dashboard with a single-pane display for the gauge cluster and infotainment system, enhancing its modern and upscale feel. The cabin materials were improved, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching adding a touch of luxury.

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 its base SE trim, the Venue's power was modest but sufficient for city and suburban driving, aided by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that maximized available power. The Venue excelled in urban environments with its compact size, nimble handling, and excellent visibility. However, its suspension struggled on rough surfaces, leading to a busy ride quality. On highways, the Venue could maintain speed but sounded strained under heavy acceleration. Lacking all-wheel drive, the Venue's front-wheel-drive setup and 6.7 inches of ground clearance were its only nods to crossover capability. The Venue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded slightly lower results.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained most of its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, resulting in sluggish acceleration. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. These models offered better performance, with zero-to-60 times in the mid-seven-second range. The Sorento's all-wheel-drive option added ground clearance and improved usability. The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim, with all-terrain tires, excelled in off-road conditions. Fuel economy for non-turbo models was average, while turbocharged versions achieved 23 mpg combined.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance made entry and exit easier. Despite its small size, the Venue offered decent comfort, with adjustable front seats and heated cushions. The back seat was cramped for three passengers, and taller occupants found the hard plastic front seatbacks uncomfortable. Rear-seat amenities were limited, lacking air conditioning vents and privacy glass. The Venue provided adequate front storage and a dashboard shelf. Cargo space was comparable to a compact car, with 18.7 cubic feet available, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable, with ample legroom in the first two rows. The third row was tight, but the Sorento offered more space than smaller three-row SUVs. The front seats were comfortable, with optional heating and ventilation. The third row's legroom was limited, but it was suitable for occasional use by children. The Sorento's new dashboard was ergonomic, with logical controls and ample storage. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, but folding it down expanded capacity to 38.5 to 45 cubic feet, and up to 72.1 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and intuitive operation. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, and a wireless smartphone charger. However, the switch to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback. The Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with a native voice recognition system, but the sound system could have been better.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays. All models featured a 12.3-inch screen with new software called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), prioritizing popular features. Navigation was standard on most trims, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included. The system supported over-the-air updates and offered USB-C outlets in all rows. Higher trims featured a Bose 12-speaker audio system and Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue lacked adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. The IIHS rated the Venue "Good" in three crash tests, while the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured Kia's Drivewise suite, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behavior, though sensors could be blocked by weather. The IIHS rated the Sorento "Good" in several tests, but the LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.