Sister companies Kia and Hyundai brought in an entry level crossover this year—the Stonic for the former, and the Venue for the latter. Boasting near-similar dimensions and price ranges, the two new additions to the subcompact crossover SUV category carry some of the most stylish and contemporary aesthetics in the class. So which one deserves your hard-earned moolah more? Let’s put these two all-new offerings on a head-to-head comparison.
Kia has been open in saying that the Kia Stonic is meant for the younger crowd, and it shows with the crossover’s many modern design flourishes. Bulging sides, curvy sections, flashy color choices—these are just a few of the Stonic’s exterior features intended to attract the hipsters and millennials in the car buying crowd. Noteworthy exterior features include roof rails, rear spoiler garnish, 16-inch alloy wheels, and Kia’s signature Tiger Nose Grille, given a contemporary blacked-out look.
While the Stonic goes for the modern, the Hyundai Venue strikes for the classic. Wearing a wide hexagonal grille that takes up most of the space upfront, the combination of black and chrome for the grille’s mesh design (exclusive in the top variant) gives the facade a three-dimensional quality. Slight yet chic bulges all around give the impression that the Venue is inspired by the MINI somewhat. Headlights are bi-function halogen, with LED position lighting and static bending feature. The Venue exterior also carries LED running lights, power folding mirrors, and roof rails.
Winner: Tie
The interior of the Stonic is designed to uphold “both style and comfort,” according to the brand. Ergonomics is the keyword here, as practically every function is just one push away, thanks to the many buttons on the steering wheel and easy to reach center dash. Other nifty interior features include a 3.5-inch TFT LCD multi-function instrument panel, remote keyless entry, USB and 12V power outlets, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. There’s no leather in sight, but although fabric is the only upholstery option, the material is textured with an upscale feel.
Inside the Venue, a T-shaped dashboard design greets occupants and smack dab in the middle of the dash is an8-inch audio infotainment system that’s compatible with Android Auto and Apple Carplay from the get-go, complete with Bluetooth and USB and doubling as a rearview camera when the vehicle is in reverse. Placed at the middle of the console is a three-knob air-conditioning system to ensure that room temperature is within the occupants’ comfort levels. The steering wheel and gear shift knob is upholstered in leather in the GLS trim. There’s also a Smart Entry system to add convenience.
Winner: Hyundai Venue
The all-new Stonic is equipped with a 1.4 dual CVVT engine paired with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The engine has two different power outputs depending on transmission—94hp for the manual and 99hp for the automatic. Torque remains the same for both, at 132Nm.
Powering the new Hyundai Venue is a Gamma 1.6-liter Multi-point Injection (MPI) gasoline engine that dishes out 127hp and 151Nm of torque. Paired to a 6-speed transmission, the Venue’s powertrain boasts a drive mode system complete with traction control.
Winner: Hyundai Venue
The new Stonic isn’t just built for style—it’s also engineered to give you peace of mind on the road, thanks to key safety features that include driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, 3-pt. ELR seatbelts, and a handful of driver assistance systems for the top-range variant.
Hyundai certainly made the Venue more than your run-of-the-mill crossover, as standard safety technologies are pretty advanced. In addition to the basics, there’s also Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Rear Cross-Traffic Warning (RCCW), and body made with 46 percent Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS).
Winner: Hyundai Venue
The 2020 Stonic comes in three different trims, priced as follows:
The car is also offered in the following hues: Flash Yellow and Black, Flame Orange and Black, Clear White and Black, Extreme Blue, Prime Red, and Clear White.
The 2020 Hyundai Venue is available in two trims only:
Color options include Denim Blue, Lava Orange, Cosmic Grey, Polar White, and Phantom Black.
Winner: Kia Stonic
Well, the Kia Stonic is meant for the young ‘uns, so it’s not really the cup of tea of the titos that run the Carmudi Journal. We also like our cars that give us some of the more upscale pleasures in life, and boy, do we like the classic look. So anyone born before 1990 will likely be more impressed by Hyundai’s offering. Of course, this isn’t meant as a dig against the younger generation, as the Kia Stonic packs plenty of good qualities as well, especially for its target market.
Photos from: Kia, Hyundai
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