2025 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $21,275 to $24,525, including a $1,375 destination charge. The Venue SEL, priced at $23,275, was recommended for its enhanced exterior and added convenience and 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 appealing, offering a mature look with its subdued color. Inside, the Venue featured hard plastics but maintained a stylish appearance with striped seats and white dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen were highlights, showcasing Hyundai's attention to quality and design.

The 2025 Ford Explorer, refreshed with a sleeker design, retained its rear-wheel-drive platform, enhancing its balanced proportions. The front end was restyled, giving it a wider, more rugged appearance. New LED taillights and wheel designs added to its appeal. Interior updates significantly improved the Explorer's ambiance, making it competitive in its segment. Ford reduced the trim levels to four: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST, with prices from $39,755 to $55,505. During a driving event in Michigan, the ST-Line with RWD and additional packages was tested, priced at $50,340. The Explorer's design and features made it a standout in the midsize SUV category.

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 its power, making it suitable for city and suburban driving. Its small size and nimble handling were advantageous, though the suspension struggled on rough roads. On highways, the Venue maintained speed but sounded harsh under pressure. Lacking AWD, it had 6.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable in snow with winter tires. The Venue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg combined, but it averaged 30.3 mpg during testing.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engines. Most trims had a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST and optional Platinum trims featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. All models had a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD, with optional 4WD. The ST-Line test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg with the turbo four-cylinder. The Explorer's powertrain provided quick acceleration, and the 10-speed automatic delivered smooth shifts. The ST-Line's performance was enhanced with larger wheels and brakes, offering a delightful ride. The Explorer Platinum's V6 impressed with fast acceleration and a pleasant sound. The Explorer's off-road capability was demonstrated with the 4WD system on muddy trails, though it was not a dedicated off-roader.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easier entry and exit. Despite its small size, comfort was decent, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering. The back seat was cramped for three, and taller passengers found the hard plastic seatbacks uncomfortable. Rear USB ports were available, but storage and air conditioning vents were limited. The Venue's cargo space was comparable to a compact car, offering 18.7 cubic feet behind the seats and 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Ford Explorer seated six in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line featured heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a Premium Package with ambient lighting and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and manual rear window shades were included. The third row was less comfortable for adults. Storage was ample, with a useful dashboard tray. Cargo space was competitive, offering 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85.8 cubic feet in total.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and simple operation. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, and a wireless charger, though it required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was sophisticated, with a native voice recognition system, but the stereo speakers could be improved.

The 2025 Ford Explorer introduced the Ford Digital Experience with a 12.3-inch digital panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. It included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and web browser apps were available. The system was user-friendly, with excellent Google Maps integration. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems, with the ST-Line featuring 10 speakers and the Platinum and ST boasting 14 speakers. Audiophiles were advised to upgrade for better sound quality.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, and the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue received Good ratings in three IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured Ford CoPilot 360+, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. The ST-Line and higher trims included BlueCruise, a hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise performed well in testing, though it occasionally struggled with large trucks. The NHTSA had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer, but it received five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.