2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

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. The interior, though featuring hard plastics, was stylish with striped seat designs and white trim accents. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen were highlights, showcasing Hyundai's attention to quality and design in this small SUV.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, marking its third generation. It adopted a modern look inspired by VW's electric vehicles, with narrower headlights and a prominent grille. The SEL R-Line trim featured illuminated badges and light bars for added impact. The Tiguan's silhouette was sportier, with shorter overhangs and a fastback-like illusion enhanced by a contrasting roof. The rear featured a single taillight bar, echoing the front's design. Inside, the Tiguan embraced minimalism with a tablet-like infotainment display and digital instrument panel. The gear selector moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space. While materials were average, the interior was practical and spacious, with improved second-row legroom.

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 power for city and suburban driving. Its nimble handling and visibility were assets, though the suspension struggled on rough roads. On highways, it maintained speed but sounded strained under pressure. Lacking AWD, the Venue's 6.7 inches of ground clearance helped in snowy conditions. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, but real-world tests showed 30.3 mpg.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with FWD and optional AWD. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to reach 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, offering smooth power delivery. Braking was confident, and the suspension balanced comfort and handling. The cabin was quiet, enhancing the driving experience. A more powerful Turbo version was anticipated for 2026, along with a hybrid powertrain. The Tiguan's performance was tuned for comfort, appealing to its core audience.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. Despite its size, comfort was decent, with adjustable front seats and heated cushions. The back seat was cramped for three, and taller passengers disliked the hard plastic front seatbacks. Storage was limited, and the Venue lacked rear privacy glass. 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 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, improving second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. The interior saw the removal of capacitive-touch buttons, replaced by traditional controls. Visibility was good, and the center console offered ample storage. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the space appeared smaller than the previous model. The power liftgate and remote seatback releases added convenience, though the angled liftgate limited loading bulkier items.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen 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 charger, though it required wired connections for smartphone integration. The infotainment system was sophisticated, with a native voice recognition system, but the audio quality could be improved.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch touchscreen, with an optional 15-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with a wireless phone charger. Capacitive-touch sliders were present but complemented by a new volume knob. The Atmospheres feature combined ambient lighting and audio settings to enhance mood. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available on the top trim.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included 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 received Good ratings in three IIHS crash tests and an Acceptable rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded it four stars overall.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were pending. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The SE R-Line added a head-up display, while the SEL R-Line featured a surround-view camera and semi-automated parking. The safety systems functioned well, with no false alarms or oversensitivity.