If you’re an individual or a couple living in a bustling and vibrant city, a subcompact crossover is the most sensible vehicle for you. You'll be able to drive around busy and narrow streets with ease and park in the smallest of spaces. Manufacturers know this, which is why nearly everyone offers a subcompact crossover within their line-up. Two examples are the 2023 Hyundai Venue and the 2023 Jeep Renegade.
The Hyundai Venue debuted in 2019 as a lively and youthful entrant to the segment. The Jeep Renegade is much older, having debuted in 2014, but it received a facelift in 2019. Both vehicles are attractive options in the segment, so we must determine which is ahead in the best subcompact crossover race.
To do that, we'll compare the Venue vs. Renegade in terms of their interior, performance, and safety characteristics. And if you want to learn more about the new Venue, contact the sales team of Tuscaloosa Hyundai in Tuscaloosa, AL. We’ll gladly assist you and even get you in the driving seat for a test drive.
The 2023 Venue offers 92 cubic feet of passenger capacity, slightly less than the 2023 Renegade, but it matches the Jeep with 19 cubic feet of cargo space. You won’t notice the difference in practice. What you will notice is the 2023 Venues' more attractive cabin and dashboard layout, which makes the 2023 Renegade look decidedly old-school. We did say that Hyundai was going for youthfulness, and it’s most apparent in the cabin. There are some interesting design elements and plenty of storage cubbies. You can also split-fold the rear seats in a 60-40 configuration for better cargo-carrying versatility.
Creature comforts are ample on both subcompact crossovers, with automatic climate control, USB charging ports, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated front seats, all present on higher trims or optional on lower ones. You'll also find Apple CarPlay® plus Android Auto™ on every 2023 Venue and 2023 Renegade, controlled via 8-inch touch-screen interfaces. Both vehicles also offer audio system upgrades for the music lovers out there.
Every 2023 Venue has a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine that delivers 121 horsepower to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. It’s a dependable and efficient powertrain that works well in urban environments, given that most buyers of the segment will rarely venture off the beaten track. EPA figures for the 2023 Venue are 32 mpg on the combined cycle. It’s no slouch either, as testing by Car and Driver showed that the 2023 Venue can hit 60 in under nine seconds. Granted, the 2023 Venue isn’t an off-road beast, but it's well-behaved and comfortable in the city, offering a quiet and smooth ride.
The 2023 Renegade comes with a 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower. Power is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. However, you'd be surprised to note that Car and Driver were able to do zero-to-60 in nine seconds. Chalk this down to the Jeep's higher curb weight and more complex all-wheel-drive system. Fuel efficiency figures also suffer, with 26 mpg reported on the EPA combined cycle. Furthermore, the Jeep’s marginally better off-road capabilities come at the expense of on-road comfort, and most subcompact crossover buyers will prefer the latter to the former.
The 2023 Venue and the 2023 Renegade have at least six airbags, stability control, forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, child safety locks, and daytime running lamps. Furthermore, the 2023 Venue also includes a driver attention monitor, which is useful if you do a lot of late-night or early-morning driving.
At first glance, the 2023 Renegade’s superior off-road capabilities might make it a great choice. However, you do compromise a fair bit for those, and for most buyers, the 2023 Venue will be the best subcompact crossover. It has a nicer cabin, a more efficient powertrain, and better safety features. That’s why you should head over to Tuscaloosa Hyundai as soon as possible and inquire about how to get the new Venue in your garage.
