2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic rugged appearance, characterized by a burly, body-on-frame design that was consistent across all models. Notable changes included a redesigned grille, which was shorter and wider, enhancing airflow to the engine bay. The integration of the antenna into the windshield was a clever upgrade, preventing it from snagging on branches during off-road adventures. Additionally, the Wrangler offered a variety of roof options, including soft-top, hard-top, and power-retractable sunroof configurations, allowing for a customizable open-air experience. The ability to fold down the windshield and remove the doors further emphasized its adventurous spirit.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue presented a more urban-friendly design with a sense of genuine style. Available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, the Venue's pricing ranged from $21,275 to $24,525. The Limited trim, with its Ecotronic Gray paint, offered a mature and subdued appearance. Despite its affordability, the Venue's interior featured unexpected style elements, such as striped seat piping and white dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display added a modern touch, while the overall design conveyed a high-quality feel for a small SUV.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower, a plug-in hybrid version with 375 horsepower, a 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower, and a powerful 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 horsepower. Various transfer cases provided different levels of off-road capability, with options like the Command-Trac and Rock-Trac systems. The Wrangler 4xe PHEV stood out with its 21 miles of all-electric range and impressive torque, making it a favorite among testers. The Wrangler's solid axles and locking differentials ensured excellent off-road performance, though its ride quality on pavement remained bumpy.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower, was more suited for city and suburban driving. Weighing just 2,612 pounds, the Venue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) maximized its power, making it agile and easy to maneuver. However, its suspension struggled on rough roads, resulting in a busy ride quality. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup and 6.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle light snow, but it lacked the off-road prowess of the Wrangler. The Venue achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded slightly lower results.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler saw an increase in towing capacity, with certain models now able to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Inside, the Wrangler offered heated seats and a heated steering wheel, with new 12-way power-adjustable front seats. The 4xe model featured a 30-amp Power Box, allowing for the use of various accessories. Despite these upgrades, ventilated seats were not available, and the Wrangler's interior remained focused on rugged functionality.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue provided decent comfort despite its compact size. The driver's seat featured manual height adjustment, and the steering wheel offered tilt-and-telescopic adjustment. The rear seat was best suited for two passengers, with limited storage space and no air conditioning vents. The Venue's cargo capacity was comparable to a compact car, with 18.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect5, offering improved graphics and a user-friendly interface. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional navigation. The system's speed was notably faster, especially when accessing Off-Road Pages. The Trails Offroad feature provided access to over 200 trails, with the option to subscribe for more. Additional features included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and multiple user profiles.

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, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation, 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 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced first- and second-row side-curtain airbags, with forward collision warning standard on most models. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and park assist. However, lane-keeping assist and other highway assist features were not available. The Wrangler had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS for 2024, but previous ratings indicated room for improvement in crash protection.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue came with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue received Good ratings in several IIHS crash tests and an overall four-star rating from NHTSA. However, the lack of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist was a limitation.