2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $21,275 to $24,525, including a $1,375 destination charge. The Venue SEL, priced at $23,275, was recommended for its enhanced exterior and added 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 mature look with unexpected style elements like seat stripes and white dashboard trim. The interior, though featuring hard plastics, maintained a high-quality feel with digital instrumentation and an 8-inch touchscreen.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, was priced at $75,000. It featured exclusive Incognito paint and orange brake calipers, but its overall appearance was unremarkable. The RX lineup included the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+ models, with prices from $52,875 to $72,710. The RX 500h, with its sporty design, offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting. However, some controls were confusing, and the vehicle avoided the common single curved display approach, maintaining a traditional layout.

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, it featured a CVT that maximized power for city and suburban driving. The Venue excelled in nimble handling and visibility but struggled on rough roads due to its suspension. On highways, it maintained speed but sounded unpleasant under pressure. Lacking AWD, it had 6.7 inches of ground clearance and achieved 31 mpg in combined driving, though it averaged 30.3 mpg in testing.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models: the RX 350h with 246 hp, the RX 450h+ with 304 hp, and the RX 500h with 366 hp. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, providing quick acceleration but lower fuel efficiency at 20.9 mpg. It included a sport-tuned suspension and Direct4 AWD system, enhancing performance but filtering road communication. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic satisfaction.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. Despite its small size, it offered decent comfort with adjustable front seats and heated cushions. The back seat was cramped for three, and storage was limited. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on comfort and cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were snug but uncomfortable over time, and the climate system was noisy. The rear seats were spacious and comfortable, with optional power adjustments. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats down, though limited for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and logical menus. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation and SiriusXM but required wired connections for smartphone integration. The infotainment system was sophisticated, with a native voice recognition system.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid boasted a 12.3-inch digital panel and a 14-inch touchscreen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a cloud-based navigation system. The RX 500h offered a Mark Levinson audio system and a head-up display. However, steering wheel controls were distracting, and some features were optional.

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. It received Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Safety Connect and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with advanced driver assistance systems. It included Predictive Driving Assist and optional surround-view cameras. The RX earned a five-star NHTSA rating but received a Poor rating from the IIHS for frontal-impact protection.