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Overview
The 2021 Hyundai Venue is a subcompact crossover that has surprising interior space and desirable features at an affordable price. The little Hyundai‘s small size and agile handling make it perfect for zipping around urban areas. However, its underpowered engine and restless highway behavior make it feel slow and clumsy on Interstates. It gets noisy at highway speeds too. Every model has automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning as well as an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite its budget-friendly pricing, Hyundai outfits the tiny ute with an attractive interior that looks and feels more upscale than competitors such as the Nissan Kicks and Toyota C-HR. All the aforementioned positives make the 2021 Venue a perfect choice for urbanites who aren’t planning on using it for long highway trips.
What’s New for 2021?
After only one year, Hyundai discontinues the standard manual transmission. All models now have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Venue also drops the standard steel wheels, with the base model now riding on a set of alloy rims. The Convenience package, which was previously optional on the SEL, now becomes standard on that trim level. It includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a sliding armrest.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- SE: $19,000 (est.)
- SEL: $21,000 (est.)
- Denim: $24,000 (est.)
While the mid-level SEL adds more standard features for 2021, we still think the top Denim trim is the one to get. Not only does it have all the content that comes on the other two models, it also has distinct exterior and interior treatments. The former includes 17-inch wheels, a white-painted roof, and an exclusive Denim paint job (also the only color available). The latter consists of leatherette upholstery with a unique Denim combination. The only options are an assortment of dealer-installed accessories.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Every Venue is powered by a 121-hp four-cylinder engine, which delivers sufficient motivation around town but has a complete lack of passing power on the highway. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is the only gearbox, now that the previously standard six-speed manual has been discontinued. Shoppers who want all-wheel drive will be disappointed, because all models are front-drive only. We recently drove a Venue around Miami and learned that the subcompact SUV is agile in traffic thanks to its small proportions and reactive steering. Unfortunately, that steering was touchy on the highway, and our SEL model often required our attention to stay steady in our lane at highway speeds. That makes us think the tiny Hyundai is better suited for short commutes rather than highway road trips.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates that the 2021 Venue will earn 30 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Those numbers are slightly worse than those of the Kicks, which has estimates of 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The CVT-equipped 2020 Venue that we tested on our 200-mile highway route, which is run at a steady 75-mph to simulate real-world driving, saw 31 mpg—2 mpg short of its EPA highway rating.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Despite its small dimensions, the Venue has a roomy cabin for its size. Both the front and rear seats have ample passenger space, and the cushions in both rows are comfortable. The design isn’t particularly flashy, but the interior is well assembled and bolstered by sturdy switchgear, and an attractive gauge cluster and infotainment system. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are standard and the SEL trim; heated front seats and passive entry with push-button start are optional but standard on the Denim. Too bad there’s no dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, head-up display, power-operated adjustments for the front seats, or wireless phone charging. Also, base models don’t have a center armrest, and the top-of-the-line Denim model isn’t available with a sunroof. Still, the Venue cabin is a pleasant place to spend time, and with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats in use, it has 19 cubic feet of cargo room. That volume increases to 32 cubes when the back seat is folded flat.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Venue comes with a user-friendly 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The infotainment system has attractive menus that responded quickly to our inputs, and the unit also has useful volume and tuning knobs below the screen. Those looking for built-in navigation with real-time traffic updates can have it on the SEL and Denim. Otherwise, the base SE has an audio system with four speakers, while the SEL and Denim offer six.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Venue earned a four-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it hasn’t been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Hyundai outfits every model with standard driver-assistance technology as well as available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard driver-attention monitor
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Hyundai—and its corporate counterpart, Kia—provide the best powertrain warranty on the market as well as one of the best limited warranty plans, too. Hyundai also offers complimentary scheduled maintenance that bests mainstream rivals such as Toyota.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
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