2020 Hyundai Venue Pros vs Cons

Hyundai has always been known for high-quality vehicles at a low cost for consumers. It’s not simply one or two cars. Rather, it’s their entire inventory.
This includes their line of SUVs. With six available, there are plenty of options for drivers to choose from. One of these is the sporty and spunky Hyundai Venue. A small crossover SUV, it looks to become a replacement for Accent hatchback. However, with a slightly higher price than the Accent, can the Venue maintain its presence among the rest of Hyundai's SUVs?

What's New for 2020?

The 2020 Hyundai Venue is a first-generation model for the company, so everything is new on the vehicle. It doesn't mean they're starting from scratch. In the end, Hyundai has taken the best from their other models to help produce this SUV.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2020 Hyundai Venue – The Pros

1. SUV Power in a Tiny Package

If someone washed a full-size SUV in hot water then pulled it out, it would look something like the 2020 Hyundai Venue. This is a small crossover subcompact. It's so slight it measures five inches less than the next size up in the Hyundai’s SUV inventory – the Kona.

Yet, it has the same power and features of more normal sized vehicles. The most important of these is the ability to travel on smooth or rough surfaces. No matter the size, that's want consumers want most.

2. Small Price Tag for a Subcompact

Not only is the 2020 Hyundai Venue small in stature. It's also petite in its starting MSRP. The basic version of the SUV averages $17,000 and increases to $21,000 for the upper-end trim. Truth be told, for the cost of a full-size Elantra or the compact Accent, consumers can choose the Venue instead.

3. Multiple Trims and Drivetrains

For a low price, buyers might think the extras are limited. This is not true. The 2020 Hyundai Venue has three trims. There's the basic SE, the mid-range SEL, and the top-end Denim. For the SE, consumers have the opportunity to purchase it with either a standard manual transmission or an upgraded automatic. The latter drivetrain is the only option for the other two trims.

4. Good Fuel Efficiency for a SUV

Drivers in search for an SUV may automatically think its fuel efficiency is going to be low. This is not the case for the 2020 Hyundai Venue. With the automatic transmission, the subcompact gets 30 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. If the driver goes with the SE’s standard manual transmission, the values increase to 27 and 35 miles per gallon, respectively.

5. Spacious Interior Due to Smart Packaging

The overused quote "good things come in small packages" rings true for the 2020 Hyundai Venue. Thanks to the imagination of the designers, they put together an interior that has more space than some larger models.

Head room in the 2020 Hyundai Venue is almost 40 inches. Leg room in the front and rear is a surprising 41 inches for such a small SUV. Furthermore, there's approximately 4.5 feet of shoulder room in both rows.

6. Sturdy Construction

Be it on paved roads or gravel paths, the 2020 Hyundai Venue handles it without difficulty due to its construction. The chassis is made of high-tensile steel. While light, it's strong enough to handle varying terrains. The body is further strengthened by a suspension system comprised of MacPherson front struts and gas-pressurized shock absorbers.

7. Interior Comfort Matches Exterior Styling

It's good the 2020 Hyundai Venue has plenty of space, because it allows consumers to enjoy the comfortable interior features. Six-way adjustable front seats help maximize front row comfort. This is joined with steering-wheel mounted audio controls for access to infotainment while the driver keeps their eyes on the road.

The SEL and Denim trims have additional standards. These include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and heated front seats. Also available in these other trims is an auto-up feature for the driver's window. It may not seem like much, but it helps when it needs to be quickly closed during inclement weather.

8. Connectivity for the Urban Adventurer

Hyundai made the 2020 Venue to cater to a younger audience that still wants to experience the excitement of SUV driving. They also knew these urban adventurers needed to maintain their connectivity in any situation. Hence, the reason technology is so important in the subcompact crossover.

The eight-inch infotainment touchscreen display is compatible with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. This allows the driver to use Google Maps or Apple apps for navigation or finding a local restaurant. USB and MP3 input jacks connect streaming services to the vehicle's audio system. In addition, the SEL and Denim trims are wired to accept Sirius XM service.

9. Standard Driver Assist Features

Present-day drivers look for safety-assistance features to minimize their risk of collision. Fortunately, the 2020 Hyundai Venue offers a few of these as standards. For instance, forward collision-avoidance assist is connected with pedestrian detection to lower the driver's risk of an accident. Lane keeping assist warns the driver if they are creeping into other traffic.

The SEL and Denim trims offer warnings when vehicles and other objects are detected in blind spots. There's also a system that alerts the driver to oncoming traffic from cross streets. In the end, Hyundai does not want you or anyone else to be hurt.

10. Comprehensive Warranty

Hyundai's Assurance program is one of the most comprehensive on the market. In addition to the standard warranties for the entire vehicle and powertrain, anti-perforation coverage is supplied for seven years and an unlimited number of miles. Also standard is roadside assistance to help with the most basic problems like a battery jump for flat tire repair.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2020 Hyundai Venue – The Cons

1. It's Small

There's no denying that the Venue is a tiny vehicle, and that can be a turnoff for some consumers. Though they want to pay less for a SUV, they don't want to sacrifice storage space or engine power. Thus, they may not ever consider this as a choice.

2. Engine Power is Lackluster

The Venue is not the most powerful subcompact SUV on the market. In fact, it doesn't have much oomph at all. The 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine gets a measly 121 hp and handles 113 pound-feet of torque. In the end, it is not meant to tow large loads of materials.

3. Low Ground Clearance

With seven-inches between the ground and chassis, there's not much room for the shocks to absorb the impacts of rough surfaces. As this is a trait of other SUVs, it can cause problems, particularly in pothole-ridden city streets.

4. Poor Sound Insulation in Highway Driving

The sound absorbing technology of the 2020 Hyundai Venue works quite well while driving in the city. On the highway, passengers can hear some wind noise and the drone of the engine. Though it can become something the driver gets used to, it initially might be uncomfortable to experience.

5. No All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) Option

Consumers who wish to spend more time off-road with their SUV might be disappointed with the Venue. There are no AWD options offered even as an upgrade. They can certainly try with front-wheel-drive, but the range and level of surfaces will be limited.

How it Stacks up to the Competition

The 2020 Hyundai Venue has a lot of pressure on it as it replaces the five-door Accent hatchback. Luckily, it ranks even or more when compared to other SUVs and subcompacts. It definitely wins in size as the Venue's interior is far more expansive than those of even the company's own vehicles.

Paired with the similarly sized Nissan Kicks, the Japanese brand wins out for its standard automatic transmission at the base trim. However, the Venue beats it in included features and starting MSRP.

When matched up against the Kia Soul, the Venue does well with its driver assist standards. However, the Soul wins its size and turbo-charged engine.

Conclusion

Those who don't care about the lack of off-road capabilities will be more than happy with the 2020 Hyundai Venue. With its more compact than subcompact size and price, it's now in the running for the top crossover in the company's inventory. Particularly with trims that are only a few thousand dollars apart in MSRP.

In addition, consumers will enjoy the standards that come with even the base trim. Not many vehicles at that price come with several driver assist features, let alone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comparability. Throw in an interior with more leg and head room than a standard sedan, and the Venue is a bargain.

What might stop it from being a true blockbuster for Hyundai is its lack of off-road capabilities. With no AWD and a low wheelbase, the Venue is not meant for extremely rough terrains. This is a vehicle meant for urban adventurers who want the performance and sturdiness of an SUV to course the highways instead of rough mountain passes.