Compare the2023 GMC TerrainVS 2023 Hyundai Venue

The Terrain offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Venue doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Venue only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Terrain and the Venue have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The GMC Terrain weighs 681 to 1083 pounds more than the Hyundai Venue. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the GMC Terrain is safer than the Hyundai Venue:

	Terrain	Venue
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	159	335
Neck Injury Risk	17%	32%
Neck Stress	190 lbs.	270 lbs.
Neck Compression	10 lbs.	182 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	363/349 lbs.	769/350 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	26%	48%
Neck Stress	153 lbs.	206 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	70 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the GMC Terrain is safer than the Hyundai Venue:

	Terrain	Venue
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	109	154
Chest Movement	1.1 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	195 lbs.	215 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	55 G’s	82 G’s
Hip Force	630 lbs.	843 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	730 lbs.	790 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 2 times as many GMC dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Terrain has a standard 700-amp battery. The Venue’s 410-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Terrain third among compact suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Venue isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

The Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (175 vs. 121) and 90 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 113) than the Venue’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Terrain’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Venue doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Venue (14.9 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Venue (15.6 vs. 11.9 gallons).

The Terrain has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Venue doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the GMC Terrain higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Venue (5). This means the Terrain produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Venue every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Terrain’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Venue:

	Terrain	Venue
Front Rotors	11.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.3 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		10.3 inches

The GMC Terrain has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Venue. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

For better traction, the Terrain has larger standard tires than the Venue (225/65R17 vs. 185/65R15). The Terrain’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Venue (235/50R19 vs. 205/55R17).

The Terrain’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Venue SEL/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Terrain SLE/AT4 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Venue. The Terrain’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Venue SEL/Limited.

The Terrain has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Venue doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the GMC Terrain has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Hyundai Venue has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 8.1 inches longer than on the Venue (107.3 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Terrain is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Venue.

The Terrain Denali AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Venue Limited (27.5 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Terrain SLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Venue (6.9 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Terrain to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali’s minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Venue (7.9 vs. 6.7 inches).

The front grille of the Terrain offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Venue doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Terrain uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Venue doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has 11.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Venue (103.2 vs. 91.9).

The Terrain has .6 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 5.4 inches more rear legroom, 8.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Venue.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Terrain’s rear seats recline. The Venue’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Venue with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 18.7 cubic feet). The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Venue with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 31.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Terrain’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Venue doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Terrain offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Venue doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Terrain has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Venue has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Terrain uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Venue doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

When two different drivers share the Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Venue doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Venue doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Terrain’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Venue does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Terrain (except SLE) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Venue doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Terrain’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Venue has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Terrain’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Venue’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

On a hot day the Terrain’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Venue can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Terrain’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Venue’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Terrain’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Venue’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Terrain’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Venue’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Terrain’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Venue Limited.

When the Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Venue’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Terrain’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Venue offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Terrain and the Venue offer available heated front seats. The Terrain Denali also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Venue.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Terrain Denali keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Venue doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Venue doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Terrain has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Venue doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Terrain’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Venue doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Terrain and the Venue offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Terrain has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Venue doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Terrain offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Venue doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Terrain offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Venue doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Terrain Denali’s optional Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Venue doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The GMC Terrain outsold the Hyundai Venue by over two to one during the 2021 model year.