2020 Hyundai Venue Debuts as Most Affordable CUV in Lineup
The 2020 Hyundai Venue just debuted at the New York Auto Show. It will slot under the Kona in the Korean automaker’s lineup and will be the most affordable crossover it offers.
Like the slightly larger Kona, the Venue will also be available with funky two-tone color options. The Venue will be powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6L four-cylinder and, in a surprising move, a six-speed manual will be standard. A CVT will be optional. No power figures have been released yet, but the same engine powers the Hyundai Accent, providing 130 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque.
ALSO SEE: Hyundai Kona Review
The Venue will only be available with front-wheel drive, which isn’t crazy, seeing as the Nissan Kicks and Toyota C-HR are both FWD-only, though many shoppers may be turned off by the lack of AWD. The benefit of being front-wheel drive, however, is better fuel economy. The Venue should get up to 33 mpg combined.
Drivers will appreciate, however, that the Venue is available with many of the same safety and driver-assistance features available in more expensive vehicles: forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, blind spot collision warning, driver attention warning, and rear cross traffic alert. A glaring omission is adaptive cruise control, but even the Kona isn’t available with this piece of tech.
ALSO SEE: Where is Hyundai From and Where are Hyundais Made?
The Venue will come with an 8-inch touchscreen and an infotainment system that is compatible with real-time traffic updates, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will also be available with fast charging USB ports, heated front seats and side mirrors, navigation, Bluetooth, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration, so drivers can start their car remotely using their connected home device.
Cargo capacity measures 18.7 cu-ft and 31.9 with the 60/40 rear seats folded down. For comparison, the Kona holds 19.2 cu-ft and 45.8, respectively. The Venue also offers a two-tier cargo floor to accommodate taller items.
With the Kona winning 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year as well as AutoGuide.com‘s 2019 Utility Vehicle of the Year, the bar is set quite high for the new entry-level Hyundai Venue.
The 2020 Hyundai Venue will be available at dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2019 and it will be built in Korea. The Kona starts at around $20,000, so we’re expecting the Venue to start around $18,000.
Discuss this article on our Hyundai Venue Forum
Jodi has been obsessed with cars since she was little and has been an automotive journalist for the past 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the prestigious North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Besides hosting videos, and writing news, reviews and features, Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoGuide.com and takes care of the site's day-to-day operations.
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