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    It’s a tale as old as time: which SUV is right for me?

    The Toyota Yaris Cross and Hyundai Venue have been consistent players in the light SUV space, though both trail behind the best-selling Mazda CX-3 on the sales charts.

    The Toyota Yaris Cross received tech upgrades for 2024, including a new infotainment and safety kit upgrades, along with minor styling tweaks. It’s now also available with hybrid power only, with the base petrol gone.

    The 2024 Hyundai Venue has not seen any major changes since its 2023 upgrades, which included a standard wireless phone charger, a 4.2-inch colour instrument cluster screen, and rear occupant alert.

    A top-end Hyundai Venue lines up with a base Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid on paper. Here’s how they stack up.

    Pricing

    There is a $1650 cost difference between the Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWD and Hyundai Venue Elite auto with the Yaris Cross the more expensive vehicle.

    ModelPrice before on-road costs
    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWD$30,900
    Hyundai Venue Elite auto$29,250

    Drivetrains and efficiency

    The 2024 Hyundai Venue is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, while the Yaris Cross features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid powertrain.

    The Hyundai Venue produces slightly higher outputs of 90kW and 151Nm, when compared to the Yaris Cross.

    Drive is sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission in the Yaris Cross, and a six-speed automatic transmission in the Venue.

    The Toyota Yaris Cross stacks up as the more fuel efficient of the two vehicles on paper, with a claimed fuel economy figure of 3.8L/100km as opposed to the Venue which uses 7.0L/100km.

    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWDHyundai Venue Elite auto
    Engine1.5-litre 3-cylinder hybrid1.6-litre 4-cylinder
    Battery4.3Ah lithium-ionNo
    E-motor outputs59kW + 141NmN/A
    Engine outputs67kW + 120Nm90kW + 151Nm
    Peak power85kW90kW
    Peak torqueN/A151Nm
    TransmissionCVT auto6-speed auto
    Driven wheelsFront wheelsFront wheels
    Fuel economy (claimed)3.8L/100km7.0L/100km
    Fuel capacity36L45L
    Fuel type91 RON91 RON

    Dimensions

    Both light SUVs are very similar in size, sharing only a few differences on paper.

    The biggest difference between the pair is their towing capacity, with the Venue capable of towing 400kg more than the Yaris Cross.

    Both vehicles can seat a maximum of five passengers, including the driver.

    You will also find a few extra litres of storage in the Yaris Cross’ rear, totalling to 390L as opposed to the Venue’s 335L.

    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWDHyundai Venue Elite auto
    Length43180mm4040mm
    Width1765mm1770mm
    Height1590mm1592mm
    Wheelbase2560mm2520mm
    Boot capacity390L335L
    Kerb weight1235kg1225kg
    Gross Vehicle Mass (GWM)1650kg1700kg
    Towing capacity (braked)400kg800kg
    Ground clearance170mm170mm

    Servicing and warranty

    Both vehicles offer the same warranty coverage period of five years and unlimited kilometres.

    In addition, both vehicles also require logbook servicing every 15,000km or 12 months – whichever comes first.

    Currently, capped price servicing at Hyundai is $65 more than Toyota, with an average of $315 for the first five services.

    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWDHyundai Venue Elite auto
    Warranty5-year, unlimited-kilometre5-year, unlimited-kilometre
    Service Intervals12 months or 15,000km12 months or 15,000km
    Avg. annual service price first five years$250$315

    Safety

    Both the Toyota Yaris Cross and Hyundai Venue have up-to-date ANCAP safety ratings.

    The Yaris Cross has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2021, whereas the Hyundai Venue has a four-star safety rating based on testing in 2019.

    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWDHyundai Venue Elite auto
    Adult occupant protection score86 per cent91 per cent
    Child occupant protection score86 per cent81 per cent
    Vulnerable road user protection score78 per cent62 per cent
    Safety assist score82 per cent62 per cent

    Here is a breakdown of each vehicle’s standard safety features:

    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWDHyundai Venue Elite auto
    Airbags8 airbags5 airbags
    Adaptive cruise controlYesNo
    Automatic collision notificationYes (Toyota Connected Services)Yes
    Autonomous emergency brakingYesYes
    Blind-spot monitoringNoYes
    Blind-spot assistNoNo
    Driver attention warningsNoYes
    Lane departure warningYesYes
    Lane-keep assistYesYes
    Park assistNoNo
    Parking sensorsNoYes, rear
    Rear cross-traffic alertNoYes
    Reversing cameraYesYes
    Surround-view cameraNoNo
    SOS Emergency callYes (Toyota Connected Services)No
    Traffic sign recognitionNoNo
    Tyre pressure monitoringNoYes

    Standard features

    The Toyota Yaris Cross and Hyundai Venue are both kitted with a plethora of standard equipment.

    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWDHyundai Venue Elite auto
    Wheels16-inch alloy17-inch alloy
    Spare wheelYesYes
    HeadlightsHalogen headlightsAutomatic halogen
    Side mirrorsPower-folding exterior mirrorsPower-folding exterior mirrors
    SunroofNoYes (unavailable with two-tone roof)

    Both vehicles share similar interior and exterior features, however they do have their differences.

    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWDHyundai Venue Elite auto
    UpholsteryClothCloth with leather accents
    Front seatsManualManual
    Rear seats40:20:40 split60:40 split
    Steering wheelLeather accented steering wheelLeather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
    Climate controlSingle-zone climate controlSingle-zone climate control

    Both these cars have an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, although there are spec differences setting them apart.

    Toyota Yaris Cross GX FWDHyundai Venue Elite auto
    Instrument cluster7.0-inch digital instrument clusterAnalogue with 4.2-inch colour trip computer
    Head-up displayNoNo
    Infotainment8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    Satellite navigationCloud-based satellite navigationYes
    Smartphone mirroringWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoWireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    Wireless phone chargingNoYes
    USB2 x USB-C outlets (front)1 x USB-A outlet (front), 1 x USB-C outlet (front), 2 x USB-C outlets (rear)
    Sound systemSix-speaker sound systemSix-speaker sound system
    KeyKeyless entry and startKeyless entry and start

    Which light SUV would you opt for? Let us know in the comments.

    BUY: Buy a Toyota Yaris Cross
    MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris Cross

    BUY: Buy a Hyundai Venue
    MORE: Everything Hyundai Venue

    Dive into an extensive side-by-side analysis
    Including price, detailed specifications and features
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    Toyota Yaris Cross
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    Tyra Lawler-Cass

    Tyra Lawler-Cass is a marketplace journalist based in Sydney, Australia. She studied PR & Social Media and Creative Writing at Macquarie University and has a passion for fast, luxury cars. She loves to travel and is always down to dine out.