The 2020 Hyundai Venue is the company's smallest and most affordable crossover yet. Introduced at the 2019 New York Auto Show, it slots right under the 2018 Hyundai Kona, but it sports a boxier design inspired by the full-size 2020 Hyundai Palisade.

Designed to compete against the 2020 Kia Soul and the 2019 Nissan Kicks, the 2020 Hyundai Venue is only available with a single four-cylinder engine that's not overly powerful. However, the crossover offers substantial value for the money through numerous standard features, modern technology, and plenty of options usually available with more upscale vehicles. Let's find out more about it in the review below.

2020 Hyundai Venue

Specifications
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  • Model: 2020 Hyundai Venue
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Pros
Cons

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2020 Hyundai Venue Exterior

- Familiar design features - Looks like a baby Palisade - Chromed grille - Split headlamps - Boxy rear end - Subcompact size - Optional 17-inch wheels - Eight color options - Two-tone paint options - Slightly smaller than the Kona

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before_label=2020 Hyundai Venue

after_label=2019 Hyundai Palisade>


Although it slots under the Kona, the Venue looks a bit more massive than Hyundai's already familiar crossover. That's because the Venue has a boxier design. While the Kona is a sporty looking SUV with a coupe-style roof, the Venue is a miniature version of the full-size Palisade. And similarities to the large SUV don't stop here.

The Venue also borrows the front grille from the Palisade. Granted, all Hyundai vehicles share the same hexagonal design, but the Venue's grille is closely related to the Palisade, and it's only missing the thick chrome frame. The headlamp arrangement is also similar, with thin lights at the top of the fascia and larger lights below, on each side of the grille. But these lower lights are horizontal, just like on the Kona, whereas the Palisade's are vertical. All told, the Venue's front fascia is a mix of features seen across the Hyundai lineup, and this gives the crossover a unique look.

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before_label=2020 Hyundai Venue

after_label=2019 Hyundai Kona>


The Venue's profile is as boxy as it gets. But even though it's not as sporty as the coupe-style Kona, it has a muscular beltline and beefed-up fenders. These are nice features for a crossover this small. The intricate design of the 17-inch wheels is appealing as well, but these rollers are optional. The standard wheels are smaller at 15 inches and look rather generic. The glasshouse sits well above the beltline, and it become increasingly smaller toward the C-pillars. Like most small crossovers, the Venue doesn't have quarter windows, and the C-pillars are thick. Although boxy overall, the tailgate has a noticeable angle, setting the Venue apart from the Kia Soul for example.

While the front fascia reminds me of other production Hyundais, the rear end takes inspiration from the Carlino concept. It has small, rectangular taillights, a clean tailgate, design with a dented center section, and a simple rear bumper with a big, hexagonal license plate recess. An aluminum-like insert in the lower bumper simulates a diffuser and adds sportiness to the design.

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before_label=2020 Hyundai Venue

after_label=2016 Hyundai Carlino>


In order to make the Venue appealing to young customers, Hyundai is offering a two-tone paint option with a contrasting roof, mirror caps, and trim. You can choose between eight exterior colors, including Ceramic White, Black Noir, Stellar Silver, Galactic Gray, Scarlet Red, Intense Blue, Green Apple, and Denim.

As mentioned in the beginning, the Venue is only marginally smaller than the Kona. Specifically, it's only 5.1 inches shorter at 158.9 inches in length and only 1.2 narrower at 69.7 inches wide. Its wheelbase measures 99.2 inches, which means it's only 3.2 inches shorter than the Kona's. Due to the boxy design, it stands 0.6 inches taller than the sportier Kona.

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before_label=2020 Hyundai Venue

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The Venue is also smaller than the Kia Soul. Also a boxy crossover, the Soul is around six inches longer, 1.2 inches wider, and 1.4 inches taller. The Soul's wheelbase is also 3.2 inches longer. The Soul is essentially as big as the Kona, but the latter has a notably different design. The Venue is just as boxy as the Soul, so it's a better option than the Kona if you want a tall mini SUV with good headroom for rear-seat passengers (or if you simply like the design). The Venue is also smaller than the Kicks, which is 10.2 inches longer and has a 3.8-inch longer wheelbase. However, the Kicks is almost an inch narrower. The EcoSport is the only rival that's actually a bit smaller than the Venue. The Korean crossover is 0.8 inches longer and 0.2 inches wider. On the other hand, their wheelbases are identical, while the EcoSport is 3.6 inches taller.

2020 Hyundai Venue vs. Hyundai Kona exterior dimensions

Overall Length

158.9

164.0

(5.1)

Overall Width

69.7

70.9

(1.2)

Overall Height

61.6

61.0

0.6

Wheelbase

99.2

102.4

(3.2)


2020 Hyundai Venue Interior

- Simple and clean - Similar to Kona - Far from fancy - Eight-inch infotainment screen - Two-tone layout - No leather upholstery - Trunk is smaller than the competition - Doesn't look very cheap

Not surprisingly, the Venue's interior looks very familiar. When developing affordable vehicles, automakers usually source components from existing model, and that's exactly what Hyundai did here. Many elements are taken from the Kona, with the lower center stack layout, the A/C vents, and the steering wheel being identical to its subcompact sibling. Changes start to appears as we move toward the dashboard, with revised control panels for the air conditioning and infotainment systems.

While the Kona has all these controls gathered in a single console, the Venue has them split into two different sections. The A/C knobs are placed just above the center console, where the Kona has all of its controls, but the radio and infotainment access buttons sit just below the display. The central dashboard is also different, with the eight-inch display slapped over the main A/C vents. I'm not a big fan of this design, but it makes sense in an affordable vehicle.

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before_label=2020 Hyundai Venue

after_label=2019 Hyundai Kona>


The dashboard is far from fancy. While the Kona has a two-tier layout with the upper section pushed toward the windshield, the Venue has a block-type dash separated from the lower section by only a storage compartment on the passenger side. This storage compartment isn't very stylish either, as it was designed as a simple "dent" above the glove compartment. The good news is that Hyundai used porous plastic for the dashboard, so it doesn't look as cheap as the pricing might suggest.

The steering wheel and the instrument cluster seem to be borrowed from the Kona, including the tiny display between the analog gauges. The door panels are different, but remain familiar with the speakers, buttons, and handles placed in the same areas. Overall, the Venue's cabin looks clean and simple; just as an affordable vehicle should.

Tech-wise, the Venue has plenty to offer. The eight-inch infotainment display is large enough for this segment and provides access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get Bluetooth hands-free, dual USB ports (one for fast charging and one for data reading), and Blue Link integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Opt for the Remote Start feature, and it will add Climate Control with a rear defroster and heated side mirrors. The latter is also an option, along with heated front seats and Rear View Monitor.

The navigation system is obviously optional, but it includes Real-Time Traffic by HERE and free map updates via Hyundai MapCare for three years.

Given the price range, the Venue's interior comes wrapped in cloth as standard, but you can opt for fake leather, also known as leatherette, inserts. You can pick between two colors, gray or black, but you can also have two-tone dashboard and door panels, as seen in the presentation photos.

When it comes to utility, the Venue is almost as practical as the Kona. The total interior volume is rated at 110.6 cubic feet, a mild 2.7-cubic-foot decrease from the Kona, while passenger volume is rated at 91.9 cubic feet, a 2.2-cubic-foot reduction. The mini SUV has a 60/40 split and folding rear bench, so you can transport long items. The trunk includes a rear covering shelf as standard and a two-level setup. The latter allows you to set the floor of the cargo area at the same level with the folded rear seats or at a lower position to accommodate taller cargo.

When it comes to trunk capacity, the Venue can swallow up to 18.7 cubic foot of luggage. That's a minor 0.5 cubic foot decrease from the Kona. With the rear seats folded flat, storage capacity increases to 31.9 cubic feet. That's a notable 13.9-pound-foot reduction compared to the Kona, which offers up to 45.8 cubic feet of space.

But how does the Venue compared to its rivals? Well, this little crossover falls short in every department. Although only marginally bigger, the Soul provides 23.8 cubic feet of luggage room with the rear seats up and a whopping 62.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Nissan Kicks provides notably more room as well thanks to a capacity of 25.3 and 53.1 cubic feet, respectively. The Venue fairs a bit better when compared to the Ford EcoSport, although it still falls behind by 2.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place. Also, the EcoSport provides an extra 18.1 cubic feet of room with the rear seats folded flat at a total of 50 cubic feet. Needless to say, the Venue isn't your best choice if luggage room is a priority.

2020 Hyundai Venue vs. Hyundai Kona interior dimensions

Total Interior Volume

110.6

113.3

(2.7)

Passenger Interior Volume

91.9

94.1

(2.2)

Cargo Capacity, Rear Seats Up

18.7

19.2

(0.5)

Cargo Capacity, Rear Seats Down

31.9

45.8

(13.9)


2020 Hyundai Venue Drivetrain

- 1.6-liter four-cylinder - 121 horsepower - 113 pound-feet of torque - Six-speed manual standard - Optional IVT transmission - Less powerful than some of the competition - Needs a higher performance option - No all-wheel drive - Returns up to 33 mpg combined

Although the Venue has plenty of room for the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul, the Korean automaker opted to offer the 1.6-liter Gamma engine instead. But this four-cylinder isn't the same four-banger available with the Kona, as it doesn't have a turbocharger. Naturally, this all-motor mill is notably less powerful. Rated at 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of twist, it generates 54 horsepower and 82 pound-feet less than the turbocharged unit in the Kona. It's also less powerful than the 2.0-liter engine that's rated at 147 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque.

2019 Hyundai Kona drivetrain specifications

Engine

1.6-liter inline four-cylinder

2.0-liter four-cylinder

Horsepower

175 HP

147 HP

Torque

195 LB-FT @ 1,500 RPM

132 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM

Transmission

six-speed automatic

six-speed automatic

0 to 60 mph

7.5 seconds

10 seconds

Top Speed

130 mph

130 mph


But is it powerful enough for the competition? Well, it depends on what we're comparing it to. The Kia Soul features the same engines as the Kona, so this crossover is notably more powerful. On the other hand, the Nissan Kicks is sold with the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder as the Versa, meaning it comes with 125 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque on tap. That's only four horses and one pound-foot more than the Venue, and it won't make a difference performance-wise. The Ford EcoSport's turbo 1.0-liter three-cylinder delivers similar power at 123 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. However, Ford offers a more powerful option in the form of a 2.0-liter four-banger rated at 166 horses and 149 pound-feet.

So why is Hyundai offering just one modest engine and no option for a higher performance unit? It's a sacrifice the brand had to make in order to keep the Venue affordable. This doesn't mean that it won't get a turbocharged option in the future, but for the time being, Hyundai is keeping the Venue's pricing low with a simple engine with a low output.

This doesn't mean that Hyundai simply sourced the 1.6-liter from existing vehicles. The Koreans optimized the port and valve, reduced the surface-to-volume ratio, and revised the injectors and spray targeting. It also added a High Ignition Energy EGR system with an external EGR cooler to expand the EGR-operated region for improved fuel economy. Hyundai says the engine will return up to 33 mpg combined, a figure that puts it on par with the Nissan Kicks. Based on this number, the Venue should return up to 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

While you have access to only one engine, Hyundai offers a choice of two transmissions. The standard unit is a six-speed manual, but you can opt for the optional Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The company's first in-house built IVT; it enhances shift response through a continuous range of gear ratios. It has the ability to match a gear ratio with engine operating conditions, which provides smooth transition of engine operating speeds and improves fuel efficiency.

In other parts of the world, the Venue is available with a few more engines. In India, for instance, Hyundai offers a 1.2-liter four-cylinder with 83 horsepower and 85 pound-feet of torque and a turbocharged, 1.0-liter three-cylinder rated at 120 horses and 127 pound-feet of torque. There's also a 1.4-liter diesel that cranks out 90 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of twist.

2020 Hyundai Venue drivetrain specifications

Type

Gamma II 1.6 MPI

Materials

Aluminum block and head

Bore & stroke (mm)

75.6 x 89.0

Compression ratio

11.2 :1

Displacement

1.6 liters / 1598cc

Horsepower

121 HP @ 6,300 RPM (est.)

Torque (lb-ft.)

113 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM (est.)

Transmission

6-speed manual


2020 Hyundai Venue Safety Technology

The Venue may be Hyundai's most affordable SUV, but this doesn't mean that it won't provide safety for its passengers. The crossover comes with a suite of safety technology as standard, but you can add more from the options list. Highlights include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, which uses the car’s front-facing camera to help detect an imminent collision and avoid impact or minimize damage by braking, and Lane Keeping Assist, which helps prevent accidental lane departure by sensing road markings and steering the car if necessary.

The Venue also features Blind-Spot Collision Warning to detect approaching vehicles and Driver Attention Warning to monitors and detect driver fatigue. There's also a Rear Collision Cross-Traffic Warning system that helps detect when a vehicle may have entered a car’s rearward path and a Snow mode for improved traction in snowy and slippery conditions.

2020 Hyundai Venue Pricing

Although it's only marginally smaller than the Kona, the Venue slots below in terms of pricing. Hyundai's goal with this nameplate is to offer an even more affordable crossover, likely priced well below the Kona's $19,240 sticker. Hyundai is likely aiming at the Ford EcoSport and Nissan Kicks, so the Venue should fetch less than $18,000 in base trim. My bet is on a $17,500 sticker.

2020 Hyundai Venue Competition

Nissan Kicks

Introduced for the 2017 model year, the Kicks completely replaced the Juke for 2019. Essentially a smaller Qashqai (or Rogue Sport in the U.S.) but with some unique features, the Kicks moves away from the Juke's strange but bold design language. The Kicks is Nissan's most affordable SUV, but it's far from cheap inside the cabin. Even the entry-level model comes with decent materials, while options include leather and modern technology. The only engine available is the familiar 1.6-liter four-cylinder, shared with the Versa, rated at 125 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. Yes, the Kicks falls behind the competition in the performance department, but it offers good fuel economy in return. The four-cylinder is rated at 36 mpg on the highway and 31 mpg in the city. Pricing starts from $18,540, which is a bit more expensive than what the Venue is expected to fetch.

Read our full review of the 2019 Nissan Kicks

Ford EcoSport

Although it exists since 2004, the EcoSport nameplate didn't arrive in the U.S. until 2017, when a facelifted version of the second-generation crossover was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The current-generation EcoSport is already seven years old as of 2019, but the extensive facelift, which added a new front fascia and new tech, will keep the mini SUV fresh for a few more years. The EcoSport is available with a selection of two gasoline engines, starting with a turbocharged, 1.0-liter three-cylinder rated at 123 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The second option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that cranks out 166 horses and 149 pound-feet of twist. The EcoSport is the most expensive SUV in this comparison, coming in at $19,995 in base trim.

Read our full story on the 2018 Ford EcoSport

Kia Soul

The second-generation Soul, introduced for the 2020 model year, retains the boxy design of its predecessor, but it adopted Kia's latest design language. Modern and fresh, the new Soul boasts slim headlamps and a massive trapezoidal grille up front and an SUV-style rear end. The interior is actually similar to the outgoing Soul, but there's a lot of new tech to talk about, including an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen, an eight-inch head-up display, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Engine options are similar to the Venue. But while the 2.0-liter four-cylinder cranks out the same 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, the turbo 1.6-liter unit is a bit more powerful at 201 horses and 195 pound-feet. Pricing for the Soul starts from $17,490.

Read our full story on the 2020 Kia Soul.

Final Thoughts

The Venue is an interesting venture from Hyundai, a company that’s already doing pretty good in the compact and subcompact segments. But the Kona wasn’t enough apparently, and the Korean brand is going even lower in this segment. It may have something to do that it didn’t have an alternative to the Kia Soul built by its sister company, but the Venue might be a good shot at the sizable market the Nissan Kicks and the Ford EcoSport competes in. Boxy SUVs are rare in the subcompact market, and there are plenty of customers looking for a "big" crossover in a small package. If you're a fan of Hyundai's bold design and want a baby Palisade, the Venue is the right vehicle for you. It's also a solid option if you're in the market for a high-riding vehicle, but you don't necessarily need the utility. Because if you do, the Venue will disappoint you due to its small trunk. Another thing to consider is that the Venue doesn't have all-wheel drive, not even on the options list

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai Kona.

Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai Kona Electric.

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson.

Read our full review on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade.