2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was available in SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels, 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 additional 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 sense of genuine style. Inside, the Venue featured hard plastics but maintained a stylish look with striped seats and white trim accents. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, showcasing Hyundai's attention to quality and design.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trims, with the base model named 1958, priced at $58,195. The Land Cruiser model, priced at $62,965, offered a modern, upscale look with more color options and a nicer interior. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, had an MSRP of $71,004. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capabilities with a traditional two-box SUV design and dark gray cladding. Inside, the Land Cruiser featured utilitarian switchgear, Java-colored leather, and dual 12.3-inch digital screens, providing a technologically advanced feel. The vehicle's high seating position and optional roof rack enhanced its utility and off-road prowess.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was powered by 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 available power, making it suitable for city and suburban driving. However, its suspension struggled on rough pavement, resulting in a busy ride quality. On highways, the Venue maintained pace but sounded unpleasant under hard acceleration. Lacking all-wheel drive, the Venue's power was directed to the front wheels, raising questions about its crossover SUV classification. It offered 6.7 inches of ground clearance and achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, though real-world testing averaged 30.3 mpg.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The full-time 4WD system, with electronic locking differentials, enabled a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Off-road features included Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road settings, with a suspension that absorbed rough terrain. However, it struggled on twisty roads due to its tires and suspension tuning. The Land Cruiser's high seating position and off-road features, like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor, enhanced its capability.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. Despite its small size, the Venue offered decent comfort, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel adjustment. The back seat was better suited for two passengers, with limited storage and no air conditioning vents. The Venue's cargo space was comparable to a compact car, offering 18.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, with the Premium Package, featured real leather and a power sunroof. The front seats provided excellent support, but the second-row seats lacked comfort. The high load floor required effort when loading heavy items. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the rear window design and center console's cool box were less practical.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with modern graphics and logical menus. 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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with a native voice recognition system.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charger, head-up display, and digital key technology. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant, enhancing the Land Cruiser's technological appeal.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Venue SEL 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 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-centering assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.