2022 Hyundai Venue Review: City Slicker Crossover
The Hyundai Venue is the Korean marque's tiniest SUV, slotting into the subcompact segment and allowing younger shoppers, or those on a budget, an attractive alternative to pricier options. Its unique appearance will appeal in the showroom, but there is substance to this Ford EcoSport rival as well, such as peppy performance around town and a decent amount of cabin space considering its diminutive size. The 121-horsepower 1.6-liter engine battles a bit on the highway, but that's one of the sacrifices to be made considering the attractive starting price of just $18,900. Road noise is also prevalent at higher speeds, but if you are willing to live with these few foibles, the Venue has a lot going for it.
What's the Price of the 2022 Hyundai Venue?
The Hyundai Venue may cost less than the bigger Kona, but it's not quite the cheapest crossover in its segment. In the USA, the 2021 Hyundai Venue begins at an MSRP of just $18,900 for the SE, increasing to $20,650 for the mid-range SEL and $22,150 for the Limited. Considering the SEL's extra equipment this year - notably the sunroof - the increase of $850 is reasonable when compared to the equivalent price of the Hyundai Venue in 2021. These prices exclude any options - although there are few of these - and a destination freight charge of $1,225. It is well-priced in its segment, considering rivals such as the Kia Soul starts at $19,190.
2022 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 |
2022 Venue Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
If the Hyundai Venue is on your shortlist, we advise that your test drive includes a mix of both town and highway driving, because the little crossover's performance varies widely depending on where you are. In the city, the news is mostly positive. The Venue's compact dimensions mean that taking gaps in traffic is easily done and narrow lanes don't provoke any nervous moments. The steering, too, is light but responsive around town. Out on the highway, things are rather different. Although the ride is reasonably composed, the steering requires regular corrections to keep the crossover traveling in a straight line, and that 1.6-liter really needs to work hard at higher speeds. Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence as passing slower traffic requires every last bit of power from the engine. Road noise is also more intrusive than we'd like on a vehicle too, but the Venue shines in the purpose it was designed for: short inner-city commutes.
2022 Venue Interior
2022 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 2022 Hyundai Venue A Good SUV?
Within the context of its sub-$20,000 price, the Hyundai Venue hits the nail on the head. It is trendily styled, has a spacious cabin considering its size, is in its element around town, and comes with one of the best warranties in the industry. In a world where bigger is perceived as better, the Venue makes a strong case for downsizing. Of course, the wallet-friendly price comes with a couple of disadvantages, such as the noisy interior at highway speeds, and an engine that struggles when more is asked of it. We also lament the discontinuation of the manual gearbox, but this is an industry-wide trend that shows no signs of disappearing. If you need a starter crossover that won't break the bank, the Hyundai Venue answers that brief admirably.
What Hyundai Venue Model Should I Buy?
Our pick of the range is the mid-range Hyundai Venue SEL. Its starting price has crept over $20,000, but this is due to more equipment being fitted and this model adds niceties such as a power sunroof, dual USB charging ports, a better sound system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It's also fairly customizable variant in the range, with a few accessories available. It has a few advantages over the Limited - its infotainment system supports wireless smartphone integration and it has a sunroof. The Limited, on the other hand, has navigation, LED headlights, and heated front seats. We'd go for the SEL because of the sunroof and we won't miss the navigation because of the smartphone integration giving access to phone-based navigation.
2022 Hyundai Venue Comparisons
2022 Hyundai Venue vs Hyundai Kona
It can become a challenge for buyers when one manufacturer offers two models that overlap in price. That's exactly the case in the USA with the Hyundai Venue and Kona, with the latter starting at $21,150, less than the price of the Venue Limited. Both SUVs have plenty of visual appeal and look different enough from each other to be distinctive. The Kona offers quite a bit more power, though, with a 147 hp 2.0L and an available 1.6L turbo with 195 hp. Only the Kona offers the option of four-wheel drive. At almost five inches shorter vs the Kona, it figures that the Venue offers less passenger space and far less cargo space with the rear seats folded. Going for the Kona also avails more features like a head-up display, smart cruise control, and wireless device charging. If value trumps all, we can understand opting for the Venue, but overall, we'd side with the slightly larger and more practical Kona.
2022 Hyundai Venue vs Kia Seltos
The all-new Kia Seltos is one of the best small SUVs for sale and provides a nice idea of what to expect for just a few grand more than the base Venue. Firstly, this is one seriously handsome crossover that is both youthful and aggressive. At 172 inches in length, it's over 10 inches longer than the Venue, which explains why the Kia has 3.7 inches of additional rear legroom and a much larger cargo area. With the rear seats folded, the Seltos has double the utility space. The base Seltos has a 146 hp 2.0L and all-wheel drive, which isn't offered on the FWD-only Venue. The turbocharged Seltos delivers 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Venue is more efficient, but the difference isn't massive. Finally, the Kia has a much more premium-feeling cabin. Although the Seltos is more expensive, you do get quite a bit more car for the money.