2020 Hyundai Venue: Compact Crossover Enters Hyundai into Competitive CUV Market

Year, Make, Model: 2020 Hyundai Venue

Topline: Hyundai has introduced the Venue crossover, which is not only the smallest in its lineup but also boasts a uniquely square design, making it one of the most recognizable vehicles set to launch later this year.

What’s New: The Venue presents an almost-new design that’s distinctly quadrangular, striking a balance between the larger Hyundai Kona and the even bigger Hyundai Palisade. The square motif permeates throughout the vehicle, seen in features like the daytime running lights, grille, taillights, and various interior elements—an uncommon trait in modern cars.

Being Hyundai’s smallest crossover raises expectations for fuel efficiency, and the Venue delivers. It features a 1.6-liter “Gamma” four-cylinder engine, which can be paired with either an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual transmission for those who prefer a more engaged driving experience.

Additionally, the Venue is equipped with an array of safety features that monitor various driving conditions, including driver attentiveness, blind spots, lane positioning, rear cross traffic alerts, and the potential for forward collisions. Hyundai has gone above and beyond not just in safety but also in technology.

The Venue boasts an eight-inch infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It includes two USB ports for charging, and for those who prefer not to use their phones for navigation, free map updates will be provided for the first three years.

The Venue can connect with home technology systems like Google Home or Amazon Echo, enabling voice-activated remote starting to prepare the cabin for comfort in extreme weather conditions—whether during hot summers or snowy winters—before passengers step inside. In winter, the Venue will turn on rear defrost and heated side mirrors (if equipped) upon remote start, making ice scraping a thing of the past.

To maximize cargo space, the Venue features a 60:40 split-folding rear seat. With the back seats up, it offers 18.7 cubic feet of storage—almost comparable to the larger Kona. However, with the rear seats down, the Venue provides a total of 31.9 cubic feet for hauling, compared to the Kona’s larger 45.8 cubic feet.

Quotable: “The all-new Venue might be small in size, but it’s big on practicality and personality,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of product, corporate, and digital planning at Hyundai Motor America. “Its bold and unique character distinguishes it from other SUVs, providing an entry-level option for consumers looking for smart design along with ample standard safety, technology, and connectivity features.”

What You Need to Know: For buyers seeking a larger option, the Hyundai Kona presents a bigger alternative while still offering similar features. Both vehicles are backed by comprehensive warranties: a five-year, 60,000-mile limited warranty, matched by an equal period of free roadside assistance, and a robust 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Although pricing is yet to be disclosed, the Hyundai Venue is expected to be available in American showrooms by the fourth quarter of 2019.