2021 Hyundai Venue Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

in Car Comparisons
White 2021 Hyundai Venue

2021 Hyundai Venue by Elise240SX - CC-BY-SA-4.0

Today, Hyundai is considered a major player in the automotive industry. It is known for its value-for-money proposition, improved quality, and innovative designs with popular models like the Sonata, Tucson, and Palisade. With Hyundai’s continued commitment to offering a diverse range of vehicles, the South Korean carmaker launched the Venue – aiming to combine affordability, modern features, and Hyundai’s improved quality standards.

The Hyundai Venue is designed as a budget-friendly SUV, positioned as an entry-level option in Hyundai’s SUV lineup. Interestingly, the Venue’s size is smaller than the already-compact Hyundai Kona. This makes it a great option for city driving, where having a car that is easy to maneuver and park is essential.

If you’re in the market for a small SUV, the 2021 Venue is a worthy candidate. So today, we rounded up the 2021 Hyundai Venue pros and cons to help you determine if this is a good SUV for your needs. Let’s take a look.

What We Love: 2021 Hyundai Venue Pros

Below are the top reasons why we love the 2021 Venue:

Affordable Subcompact SUV

One of the main selling points of the 2021 Venue is its affordable price tag. The Venue’s size is one of its main features, even smaller than the already-compact Hyundai Kona. This makes it a great option for city driving, where having a car that is easy to maneuver and park is a godsend.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue starts at a base price of around $18,490, with a fully loaded model costing about $23,380. This pricing is significantly lower compared to some of its more expensive competitors in the compact SUV segment, including the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30. 


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Roomy and Practical Interior

The Venue may be a subcompact, but Hyundai did a fine job of providing it with a roomy and practical interior. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the Venue offers a surprisingly spacious cabin with 18.7 cu-ft of cargo space behind the rear seats. When the rear seats are folded down, this space expands to a modest 31.9 cu-ft, which helps carry larger items or more luggage. In addition, the cargo floor can be lowered to make space for taller items, and the cargo cover tucks against the rear seatbacks.

Moreover, the interior is equipped with user-friendly features that enhance the overall driving and passenger experience. This includes easy-to-use controls and a well-designed infotainment system.

Impressive List of Standard Features

While the features included with the 2021 Venue aren’t exactly mind-blowing, it offers more than enough for a budget-friendly model. The Venue comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display, which is large for the segment. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration. Also, the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity and USB ports ensures passengers stay connected and devices remain charged.

Safety-wise, Hyundai doesn’t skimp on safety, equipping the Venue with essential driver-assist features like forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention warning system. This compact SUV offers an abundance of features at an affordable price, making it an excellent option for buyers who want modern amenities without the high cost.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE HYUNDAI VENUE

It’s had four years on the market. If you’re interested in a used venue for your life, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Hyundai Venue year available? 


Offers Great Mileage

Another aspect that increases the 2021 Venue’s value proposition is its impressive fuel economy. The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasts an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 30 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

In contrast to its competitors, the Nissan Kicks offers slightly better fuel efficiency than the Venue, with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Meanwhile, the Mazda CX-30, another competitor, trails behind in this aspect. Its base model gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, which is less efficient than the Venue.

Top Safety Pick

The 2021 Venue demonstrates commendable safety performance with impressive results in the IIHS evaluations. It achieved the highest ratings across all six crashworthiness tests and excelled in front crash prevention. In contrast, its safety credentials in NHTSA assessments show a mix, securing a four-star overall rating with distinctions in frontal crash and rollover scenarios at four stars and excelling with a five-star rating in side crash tests.

What We Don’t Love: 2021 Hyundai Venue Cons

On the flip side of this 2021 Hyundai pros and cons guide, here are the shortcomings of this model:

Spartan Quality Interior

Though functional, the 2021 Hyundai Venue’s interior is designed to reflect its position as an entry-level SUV. It has a simple and practical layout, emphasizing practicality rather than luxury. Soft-touch materials in the dashboard and door panels are used where the driver and front passenger frequently interact. However, the rest of the interior, particularly the rear and cargo areas, consists of hard plastics that, while durable, feel rather lackluster.

No All-Wheel Drive

If you’re looking for all-wheel drive options, you’ll just have to keep looking because the Venue doesn’t offer this feature. The absence of AWD can be a deal-breaker, particularly when many rivals in its class offer AWD for better stability and handling. This shortcoming is more evident in areas with challenging weather, where AWD can enhance safety and performance.


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Underpowered Engine

The 2021 Hyundai Venue’s engine performance is another downside, particularly for those seeking a more spirited driving experience. Equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, it delivers only modest power, producing 121 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque.

The Venue is a great car for city driving but may not satisfy those looking for a more thrilling ride. The engine and CVT transmission setup are designed to optimize efficiency, but they lack the quick response and strong acceleration required for more demanding situations such as highway driving.

2021 Hyundai Venue Pros and Cons: Is This Subcompact SUV for You?

That concludes our roundup of the 2021 Hyundai pros and cons. The 2021 Venue is a budget-friendly subcompact SUV with good fuel economy and standard features. However, it’s best to manage your expectations. Its spartan interior, lack of AWD, and modest engine performance might deter those seeking more luxury, versatility, and a dynamic driving experience.



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