2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sophisticated exterior, often perceived as more premium compared to its non-European counterparts. Its design elements, such as standard LED headlights and taillights, along with an illuminated grille light line on the SEL R-Line, contributed to its upscale appearance. The model name was prominently displayed in all-caps at the rear, complemented by the classic Volkswagen badge. However, the color options were somewhat restrictive, with the base trim limited to grayscale and specific combinations available only at higher trims.

Inside, the Tiguan offered a range of features across its trims. The base model included heated front seats and cloth upholstery, while the SE trim added power adjustability and leatherette. The SE R-Line featured a panoramic sunroof, and the top-tier SEL R-Line boasted real leather, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The configurator on Volkswagen’s website, however, proved complex when trying to match specific interior and exterior preferences.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, offered a stylish yet affordable design. The Limited trim, tested in Ecotronic Gray, provided a mature look, though the color was less expressive. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was appealing, with unexpected style elements like seat stripes and white dashboard trim. The interior, while featuring hard plastics, did not appear cheap, and the digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were well-received.

The Venue's interior was thoughtfully designed, with quality finishes and easy-to-use controls. It offered a comfortable ride with heated front seats and manual adjustments. The back seat, though technically accommodating three, was more comfortable for two passengers. Storage space was limited, and the lack of rear privacy glass was a drawback. Cargo capacity was comparable to a compact car, with 18.7 cubic feet available, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500 on lower trims and standard on the SEL R-Line. The AWD models had a slightly larger fuel tank, but fuel economy decreased to 25 mpg combined for the base AWD model and 24 mpg for AWD R-Line trims. The driving experience was mixed, with inconsistent power delivery and touchy gas and brake pedals. However, visibility and handling were commendable, making the Tiguan feel maneuverable for its size.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Weighing 2,612 pounds, the Venue was agile and well-suited for city driving, offering nimble handling and excellent visibility. However, the suspension struggled on rough surfaces, leading to a busy ride quality. On highways, the Venue maintained speed well, but the engine and CVT became noisy under pressure. The Venue lacked AWD, 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 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered different seating configurations based on drivetrain. FWD models seated seven, while AWD models, including the SEL R-Line, seated five, allowing for more cargo space. The two-row Tiguan provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with seats folded. In the three-row version, cargo space was significantly reduced. Passenger space was ample in the first two rows, but the third row was tight, with limited head and legroom. Despite this, the Tiguan was one of the few compact crossovers offering a third row.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, with its increased ground clearance, facilitated easy entry and exit. The interior was comfortable, with manual seat adjustments and heated front seats. The back seat was better suited for two passengers, with limited storage and no rear air vents. Cargo space was modest, with 18.7 cubic feet available, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The Venue's design included practical features like a dashboard shelf for additional storage.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. However, the physical volume knob was problematic due to its sensitive on/off button. The infotainment system, accessed via an 8-inch touchscreen, had monochromatic graphics that felt out of place. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with navigation available only on the SEL R-Line. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight for audiophiles.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display featured 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. Despite this, the infotainment system was sophisticated, with impressive voice recognition. The sound system, however, could benefit from better speakers.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with improved safety features for 2024. The IQ.DRIVE suite became standard, offering adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Additional features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning. Park Distance Control was standard on higher trims, though its Maneuver Braking feature was intrusive.

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