2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

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 with Ecotronic Gray paint and carpeted floor mats, had an MSRP of $24,735. The Venue's design was appealing, with a mature and subdued appearance, especially in gray. Inside, the Venue featured hard plastics but maintained a stylish look with striped and piped seats and white trim accents. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, showcasing Hyundai's attention to quality and detail.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded luxury with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels, giving it a high-end SUV appearance. The sculptural sheet metal and athletic design contributed to its sophisticated look. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly crafted with polished metallic trim, Nappa leather, and clearly marked switchgear. However, some ergonomic issues, such as a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls, detracted from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-90's design and materials created an upscale impression, setting it apart from other midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

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 lightweight design allowed it to perform adequately with its continuously variable transmission (CVT). It excelled in urban environments, offering nimble handling and excellent visibility. However, the Venue's suspension struggled on rough roads, resulting in a busy ride quality. On highways, it maintained speed but sounded unpleasant when pushed hard. The Venue lacked all-wheel drive, but its 6.7 inches of ground clearance provided some advantage in snowy conditions. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, though our testing yielded 30.3 mpg.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine, generating 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque in the 3.3 Turbo model. The 3.3 Turbo S variant offered even more power, with 319 hp and 369 lb-ft. Power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system. The CX-90 offered various driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Despite its impressive ride and handling, the CX-90's drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior. It achieved an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined, but our testing resulted in 21.3 mpg. The plug-in hybrid variant offered 25 miles of electric range and the same combined fuel economy.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance made entry and exit easier, and its compact dimensions provided decent comfort. The driver's seat featured manual height adjustment, and the steering wheel offered tilt-and-telescopic adjustment. The back seat accommodated three passengers, but two would be more comfortable. Rear-seat amenities included USB ports, though storage space was limited. The Venue's cargo capacity was 18.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior, in 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim, featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the climate control system struggled to cool the cabin efficiently. The panoramic sunroof provided ample natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed comfortable seating. The third row was best suited for children. The CX-90's cargo space measured 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 40 cubic feet with it folded, and 74.2 cubic feet with the second row down. Storage options were limited, with an emphasis on style over practicality.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and logical menu structures. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. The Limited trim added a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a wireless smartphone charger. However, the switch to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the Limited trim was a drawback. Despite this, the Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with an impressive native voice recognition system.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. While the infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only when using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the native Mazda Connect platform required using a knob and buttons. Mazda's voice recognition system was lacking, but a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display with helpful data. The blind-spot monitoring system provided visual alerts, enhancing safety.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The Venue SEL added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist were not available. The Venue received Good ratings in three IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of the few midsize, three-row SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The CX-90 PHEV earned five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests, while gas-only models received four-star ratings in frontal-impact testing. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids generally met expectations, though some features, like speed reduction, were irritating.