2021 Hyundai Venue Review: A Prudent Urban Cruiser
Hyundai introduced the Venue to the USA in 2020 to cater to the growing demographic of budget-conscious young shoppers. For 2021, the Hyundai Venue is presented with just enough enhancements and alterations to keep it fresh and appealing, though some may frown at the fact that the SE's manual gearbox has been discontinued. Nevertheless, with the SE and SEL now rolling atop some fancier wheels and the SEL with an extended selection of creature comforts, conveniences, and driver assists, the Venue SUV remains a value-rich and very attractive offering for any young professional or student. Beneath the hood of the subcompact cruiser is a 121 horsepower 4-cylinder motor that, while uninspiring, is apt for moseying around town. The engine does begin to battle at higher speeds and outside noise invades the cabin particularly when on the highway, but these are small compromises the Venue makes for its attractive high-value pricing. With the quirky Kia Soul, modish Nissan Kicks, and well-rounded Ford EcoSport also vying for the admiration of budget-conscious young shoppers, does the 2021 Hyundai Venue offer enough to deserve their precious money?
2021 Venue Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 159.1 in | 99.2 in | 61.6 in | 69.7 in | 61.2 in | 61.6 in | 2,612.0 lbs |
2021 Venue Performance
2021 Venue Interior
2021 Venue Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 10 Years / 100,000 Miles | 7 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2021 Hyundai Venue A Good SUV?
For a car that's proffered at less than $20,000, the 2021 Hyundai Venue bears plenty of value and is one of the best cars money can buy in its classification. It scoots around the city with vigor and ease while maintaining thrifty fuel economy returns. It's a fairly good-looking vehicle, too, and boasts a spacious and comfortable cabin as well as a decently sized cargo hold. A superb crashworthiness and safety award came from the NHTSA and IIHS's reviews of the 2021 Hyundai Venue. Unfortunately, J.D. Power accorded this first-generation Venue with a below-average reliability expectation. With that said, however, Hyundai sells the Venue with a really impressive powertrain warranty, which promotes peace of mind.
Unfortunately, being that the Venue is a budget-vehicle, it does make quite a few sacrifices. Its powertrain begins to feel rather strained at higher speeds and road noise does penetrate into the cabin. The discontinuation of the manual gearbox may be a major disappointment for some, too, but most vehicles throughout the industry are following this trend. If you're looking for an entry-level 5-door crossover that will provide you with all the necessities at a value-rich price, you can't go wrong with the pragmatic Hyundai Venue.
What Hyundai Venue Model Should I Buy?
With the mid-spec SEL still coming in at a sub-$20,000 price, it's the 2021 Hyundai Venue SUV we recommend. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-speaker sound system, additional USB ports, and automatic climate control improve the cabin experience for the driver and passengers. Its driver-assist suite is expanded with the addition of blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic alert. There is a tempting Premium Package offered, which equips the SEL with LED headlights, a power moonroof, heated front seats, and navigation, but at the price, you may as well just go for the top-spec Denim model.