2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 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 the destination charge. The Venue SEL, priced at $23,275, was recommended for its enhanced exterior appearance and added convenience and safety features. Our test vehicle, a Limited trim 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 details like seat stripes and white dashboard trim. The interior, though featuring hard plastics, did not appear cheap, and the digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen were well-suited to the Venue's size.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its distinctive retro-inspired design, reminiscent of the Lancia Delta, with minimal changes in its mid-cycle refresh. The lower front fascia saw slight revisions, but the iconic "Parametric Pixel" lights and high rear spoiler remained. The new XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern. Exclusive colors like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl were introduced, along with new wheel designs. The interior retained its minimalistic and modern feel, with minor changes like a revised center console. The XRT trim added rugged elements like all-weather floor mats and a debossed logo on the seats.

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, offering nimble handling and excellent visibility. However, its suspension struggled on rough surfaces, leading to a busy ride quality. On highways, the Venue maintained speed but sounded unpleasant under heavy acceleration. Lacking AWD, the Venue's power was directed to the front wheels, though its 6.7 inches of ground clearance aided in snowy conditions. The Venue achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, but our tests averaged 30.3 mpg.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT featured a Terrain Mode button for Snow, Mud, and Sand, adjusting throttle mapping, wheel slip, and power distribution. The XRT excelled on loose sand, with regenerative braking minimizing brake use. AWD was standard on the XRT, while other trims offered RWD or AWD options. The Ioniq 5's battery capacity increased, with RWD models achieving up to 318 miles per charge, while AWD reduced range slightly. Power output varied, with RWD models producing up to 225 horsepower and AWD models reaching 320 horsepower. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 5's instant torque provided an enjoyable driving experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. The interior offered decent comfort, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering. The back seat was cramped for three, and taller passengers disliked the hard plastic front seatbacks. Rear USB ports were available, but storage and air conditioning vents were limited. The Venue's 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 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper. The interior featured a movable center console with fore-and-aft cupholders and a wireless charging pad. Heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and power-adjustable driver's seat. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, offering generous head and legroom. Cargo space measured 26.3 cubic feet, expanding to 58.5 cubic feet with seats folded, plus a small frunk. The Ioniq 5 transitioned to the North American Charging System, allowing access to Tesla Superchargers, and included a CCS adapter for public charging.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and logical menus. Standard tech included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, a wireless charger, and Bluelink+ services. However, the switch to wired smartphone connectivity was a drawback. Despite this, the Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with impressive voice recognition. Streaming music was easy, though the sound system could have been better for its target audience.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its dual 12.3-inch screens, with improved functionality and faster processing. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard. The Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT and Limited trims, while SE and SEL had a six-speaker system. All trims featured navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and multiple USB-C ports. The Ioniq 5's USB feature allowed for charging or data transmission. A head-up display was exclusive to the Limited trim, and a wireless charging pad was available from the SEL trim.

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, while the Limited included cyclist detection. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist were absent. The Venue received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star NHTSA rating, with some limitations due to its size.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its Top Safety Pick+ status from the IIHS and received a five-star NHTSA rating. New safety features included an enhanced driver attention system and parking-distance warnings. The XRT trim added a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2 were available, with HDA 2 offering lane-changing capability and machine learning.