2021 Hyundai Venue

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Rating6.9

Ranked #4 in 

Subcompact SUV
Write Review
$18,750 - $22,050
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Good space in the cabin for the segment

Average acceleration on the highway

Manual transmission is removed from the base trim

Impressive interior quality

Compromised cargo area

Changes in standard feature list

Great MPG figures

Engine sound becomes disturbing at higher speeds

Specs & Features

$18,750

price

121 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

113 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2021 Hyundai Venue comes out as one of the better packages in subcompact crossover territory. It offers great value at the price point at which it comes. The interior quality feels from a segment above compared to the other cars in the segment. The small dimensions make it a perfect choice for driving in the city traffic, as it is very agile to move around in tight spots. The 2021 Hyundai Venue is powered by a 1.6L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 engine that handles your daily commute very well. The 6-speed manual transmission offered with the 2020 base model is now discontinued, and you only get a Continuously Variable Transmission(CVT) gearbox with the 2021 Hyundai Venue.

Buying Advice

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offers great value for money. The standard features on SEL trim are good enough for most users. Still, we recommend going for the Denim trim as it makes most of the optional features standard. The Hyundai Venue is all about the value, and going for optional packages makes it expensive for what it offers. That is why it is best to go for the Denim trim as it has all the required features as standard, and you do not need to pay extra for any optional packages.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offers good cabin space for its size and exterior dimensions. It offers an 8” touchscreen infotainment system standard across all the trims, and the standard safety tech is also decent for the segment. It competes with the likes of Nissan Kicks, Honda HR-V, and Ford EcoSport. Let’s dive deeper to understand how it performs in every aspect against the competition.

Features
9.0/10

The 2021 Hyundai Venue is offered in three different options. Driver assistance features like Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Warning are standard across all the trims. 2021 Hyundai Venue also offers an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Features like Heated Front Seats, Rear Disc Brakes, and Voice Recognition become standard from the SEL trim. 

The base trim SE starts at an MSRP of $17,350, and the mid-trim SEL starts at $19,250. The convenience package that was optional with 2020 mode, now comes as standard with the SEL trim. The features for SEL trim include Blind Spot Monitoring System, Red Cross-Traffic Alert, leather-wrapped steering wheel, sliding armrest, and shifting knob.

Trim

SE

SEL

Denim

MSRP(CVT)

$17,350

$19,250

$22,050

Key Features

8-inch Touchscreen Infotainment

In addition to the SE trims:

In addition to the SEL trims:

 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

17” Alloy Wheels

Exclusive Denim color with white roof

 

15” Alloy Wheels

Single Zone Automatic Climate Control

Exclusive denim interior color with cloth and leatherette combination front seats

 

Projector headlights

Heated front seats

Inbuilt Navigation System Support

 

Forward Collision Warning

Rear Disc Brakes

Blind Spot Monitoring System

 

Lane Keep Assist

Voice recognition support

 

The 2021 Hyundai Venue has made many optional features from the 2020 model as standard. The top trim Denim stands out from other trims with features like an Inbuilt Navigation System, white-painted roof, and use of denim color accents in the exterior and interior of the car. 

We recommend

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offers great value for money. The standard features on SEL trim are good enough for most users. Still, we recommend going for the Denim trim as it makes most of the optional features standard. The Hyundai Venue is all about the value, and going for optional packages makes it expensive for what it offers. That is why it is best to go for the Denim trim as it has all the required features as standard, and you do not need to pay extra for any optional packages.

Engine and Performance
7.2/10

The 2021 Hyundai Venue is powered by a small 1.6-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 engine that produces 121 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to the front wheels via a Continuous Variable Transmission. The performance is nothing to brag about and has enough power for your daily city commute. The power delivery is very decent in the lower and mid-range of the rave band. The CVT is surprisingly good, and the rubber band effect is well contained. 

2021 Hyundai Venue SUV engine bay

The 0 to 60 mph comes in 9.8 seconds which is not very good for the driving enthusiasts, but the Hyundai Venue is not even meant for that. You get good fun in the city conditions as the Venue is smaller in size. The acceleration doesn’t feel enough for the highway conditions, The top end feels lacking and the engine noise becomes very evident at higher speeds. 

Models

2021 Hyundai Venue

2021 Honda HR-V

2021 Ford EcoSport

2021 Nissan Kicks

MSRP

$17,350

$22,000

$22,685

$20,000

Engine

1.6L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4

1.5L Turbo Inline-4

2.0L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4

1.6L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD/AWD

AWD

FWD

Transmission

CVT

CVT

6-speed automatic

CVT

Power (hp @ RPM

121 hp @ 6,300

170 hp @ 6,200

166 hp @ 6,500

122 hp @ 6,300 

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)

112 lb-ft. @ 4,500

140 lb-ft. @ 3,800

149 lb-ft. @ 4,500

114 lb-ft. @ 4,000 

0-60 MPH (seconds)

9.8

8.6

10.4

9.7

Quarter-Mile (seconds)

16.8

16.5

16.5

17.5

Top-Speed (MPH)

130

125

110

110

The 2021 Honda HR-V produces the most power in the comparison and is also the fastest in the comparison to reach 60 mph from a standstill in 8.6 seconds. The 2021 Ford Ecosport comes second when it comes to horsepower, but it doesn’t translate into a great acceleration and comes last in the 0 to 60 mph sprint.

How well does the 2021 Hyundai Venue?

The 2021 Hyundai Venue has the advantage of size, which helps it handle very well in any driving conditions. The subcompact crossover is very easy to handle and the steering wheel is very light. It is very easy to change lanes and driving in the city offers decent fun. The steering wheel offers good feedback and understeering is well contained. 

2021 Hyundai Venue SUV driving view

It is fun to put the Hyundai Venue into corners, as the body roll is not evident. The seat is relatively low and the driving position is much like a hatchback. The ride quality is on the firmer side, and sharp bumps filter through the suspension to the cabin. It is done to improve the handling and driving dynamics. Still, the balance between ride and handling could be improved. 

How good is the braking performance of the 2021 Hyundai Venue?

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offers good braking performance, and it offers disc brakes for all four wheels from SEL trim. It uses 11-inch brake rotors for the front wheels and 10.3-inch rotors for the rear wheels. The brakes are capable enough to stop the 2021 Hyundai Venue in 116 feet. The pedal offers a good bite and feels very progressive to the inputs. Hyundai Venue is not a very heavy car and that also helps the stopping distance. 

Models

2021 Hyundai Venue

2021 Honda HR-V

2021 Ford EcoSport

2021 Nissan Kicks

Brake Rotors: Front (inches)

11

11.5

NA

10.2

Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)

10.3

11.1

NA

8

Curb Weight (lbs)

2612

2906

3060

2,639

60-0 (feet)

116

114

123

115 

The 2021 Honda HR-V takes the lead in the braking performance too and stops in just 114 feet. It is worth considering that the Honda HR-V is heavier than the Huindai Venue. The 2021 Ford Ecosport is the slowest to stop and takes 123 feet to come to halt from 60 miles per hour. The 2021 Nissan Kicks performs better and takes only 115 feet to stop from 60 mph.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The one thing where the Hyundai Venue really excels is the fuel economy. The smaller engine and lower curb weight help it achieve 30 mpg in the city driving conditions, which increases to 34 mpg on the highway. If you combine both the driving conditions, it manages to deliver 32 mpg worth of fuel economy. There is no AWD drivetrain on offer, so the fuel economy remains constant for all the trims. The 2021 Hyundai Venue has a fuel tank with 11.9 gallons capacity, which helps it deliver the best range in the comparison.

Models

2021 Hyundai Venue

2021 Honda HR-V

2021 Ford EcoSport

2021 Nissan Kicks

MPG (City)

30

26

27

31

MPG (Highway)

34

32

29

36

MPG (Combined)

32

28

28

33

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

11.9

13.2

13.8

10.8

Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)

357/404/380

356/435/369

317/400/386

334/388/356

The 2021 Nissan Kicks manages to deliver a slightly better fuel economy than the 2021 Hyundai Venue. Still, it lacks behind when it comes to better range, as it comes with a relatively smaller fuel tank. The 2021 Ford Ecosport has the biggest fuel tank, but the fuel economy is not very impressive compared to the other crossovers in the competition. The 2021 Honda HR-V offers a good balance of decent fuel economy and a larger fuel tank.

Interior
7.0/10

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offers a very spacious cabin, especially in the front row. The driver gets a very comfortable driving position. The features like tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, and manually adjustable driver’s seat help the driver achieve a comfortable position. The space in the front row is good enough, and the rear seats are also good enough for adults. You get ample headroom and the legroom is also very decent for the size of the car.

The seats offer decent comfort and cushioning is neither too soft nor too firm. There is good comfort on offer and you can easily spend long hours in the cabin. The materials used are of good quality for the price. The interior quality feels upmarket and feels like a car from a segment above. There is the use of hard plastics in the cabin, but the plastic is of good quality. The one area where the 2021 Hyundai Venue lacks is the trunk space.

Models

2021 Hyundai Venue

2021 Honda HR-V

2021 Ford EcoSport

2021 Nissan Kicks

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

39.4/53.9/41.3

37.6/56.8/41.2

39.6/53.3/42.9

40.7/53/43.7

Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

38.6/53.7/34.3

38.3/54.5/39.3

37.5/51.3/36.7

38.5/53.2/33.2

Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)

18.7

24.3

20.9

25.3

The Hyundai Venue offers decent space in both rows, but it offers the least cargo space in the comparison. The 2021 Nissan Kicks, which belongs to the same segment, surprisingly offers the best cargo area in the comparison. The 2021 Honda HR-V comes second in the trunk space and the 2021 Ford Ecosport comes in second last. The 2021 Honda HR-V offers the best legroom in the rear row followed by the 2021 Ford Ecosport. Here are some of the stand out interior features of the 2021 Hyundai Venue:

  • Good cabin space for the segment
  • Impressive interior quality
  • Easy cabin controls
  • Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
  • Automatic climate control

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2021 Hyundai Venue?

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offers an 8” touchscreen for the infotainment system as standard. It also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. The top Denim trim also features an inbuilt navigation system. The lower trim SE and mid-trim SEL feature a four-speaker audio system.

The top Denim trim features a 6 speaker audio system for a better music experience. Here are the interior features of the 2021 Hyundai Venue:

  • 8” touchscreen Infotainment System
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Android Auto
  • 4-speaker audio system for SE and SEL trim
  • 6-speaker audio system for Denim trim
  • Inbuilt navigation system

Exterior
6.0/10

The Hyundai Venue is designed very well and it looks good from all sides. The front grille looks very stylish and modern. The headlights are very well integrated into the fog lights, and overall they give a very modern approach to the design of the 2021 Hyundai Venue. It also features Daytime Running Lights that sit on the top of the front and are very sleek in design.

The side also looks good with 17” alloy wheels on the top denim trim. You get smaller 15” alloy wheels on the lower trims. The steel wheels are completely eliminated from the lineup. The back is also proportionate to the overall design, and it gets chrome Venue badging at the back, which is common in modern Hyundai cars.

Models

2021 Hyundai Venue

2021 Honda HR-V

2021 Ford EcoSport

2021 Nissan Kicks

Curb Weight (lb)

2612

2906

3060

2,639

Length (inches)

159.1

170.4

161.3

169.1

Width (inches)

69.7

69.8

69.5

69.3

Height (inches)

69.7

63.2

64.8

62.4

Ground Clearance (inches)

6.7

7.3

7.0

7.0

Wheelbase (inches)

99.2

102.8

99.2

103.1

The 2021 Hyundai Venue is one of the better-looking cars for the segment. You will appreciate how this subcompact crossover that costs less than $20,000 looks so proportionate and modern. It offers a decent ground clearance at 6.7 inches. The wheelbase is the same as the 2021 Ford Ecosport. The 2021 Nissan Kiska and the 2021 Honda HR-V have longer wheelbase in comparison. Here are some of the standout exterior features of the 2021 Hyundai Venue:

  • LED Daytime Running Lights
  • Side-mounted roof rails
  • Heated outside mirrors
  • Power sunroof
  • LED Taillights

Safety
7.0/10

The 2021 Hyundai Venue packs in a decent list of driver-assist and safety features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has rated the 2021 Hyundai Venue a good four out of five stars in their crash test rating. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety doesn’t find the 2021 Hyundai Venue as its top safety pick. The standard driver assistance features are good enough for the segment and the price at which it sells.

The driver assistance features like the forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention monitor are standard with the 2021 Hyundai Venue. You can also get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert which are optional. Here are some of the safety features of the Hyundai Venue:

  • Forward collision warning
  • Automated emergency braking
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane-keeping assist
  • Driver-attention monitor
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert

Competition
6.0/10

2021 Hyundai Venue vs. 2021 Honda HRV

The Honda HR-V is a better package than the Hyundai Venue in many ways. Still, it is worth considering that the Honda HR-V starts at a higher price. The 2021 Honda HR-V offers better space inside the cabin, better quality, and better performance. One area where the 2021 Hyundai Venue comes out to be a better package is fuel economy. The 2021 Hyundai Venue becomes a good package for the price and great mpg figures too.

2021 Hyundai Venue vs. 2021 Ford Ecosport

The Ford Ecosport is the most expensive subcompact crossover in the comparison, but it fails to justify its price. It lacks the advanced safety tech and driver assistance features that the competition offers. The performance is very poor and the 2021 Hyundai Venue also offers better fuel efficiency. In every aspect, the 2021 Hyundai Venue comes out as a better overall package.

2021 Hyundai Venue vs. 2021 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks offers better space than the 2021 Hyundai Venue. It also offers the best fuel efficiency in comparison, but has the smallest fuel tank and lacks range. The Nissan Kicks offer better cargo space and the difference is very evident. The 2021 Hyundai Venue becomes a better option as it is $3,000 cheaper than the 2021 Nissan Kicks. The features that it offers are also very generous for the price, making the 2021 Hyundai Venue a better value.

Final Verdict

The Hyundai Venue is a great value-for-money option if you’re looking for a vehicle that makes your daily commute easier. The compact dimensions make it easy to maneuver around in the city. It handles very well and it is a fun-to-drive crossover for city driving. It is best if you drive alone, or with one more passenger. The features are very decent for the price. If you have a bigger family and you need more space, then you can consider upgrading for the 2021 Hyundai Kona, or the 2021 Honda HR-V.

Trims

    SE
    $18,750 onwards
    • Automatic climate control
    • Center storage box with sliding armrest
    • Leather-Wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Six-Speaker audio system
    • Sport and Snow drive modes
    SEL
    $19,800 onwards
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Heated side mirrors
    • Keyless entry and push-button start
    • Led front and rear lighting
    • Navigation system
    Denim
    $22,050 onwards
    • Simulated leather and cloth seating
    • Two-Tone blue and white paint

Compare to similar cars

Price

$18,750- $22,050

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.86

Horsepower

121 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque

113 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$23,200- $26,100

Gasoline

8.25

155 hp @ 5600 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,400- $24,700

Gasoline

5.58

155 hp @ 5600 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,990- $27,990

Gasoline

6.65

146 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,395- $28,345

Gasoline

5.86

123 hp @ 6000 rpm

125 lb.-ft. @ 6000 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,500- $30,000

Gasoline

7.18

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,695- $26,750

Gasoline

6.31

144 hp @ 6100 rpm

139 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,600- $22,140

Gasoline

5.83

122 hp @ 6300 rpm

114 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,850- $29,525

Gasoline

6.52

180 hp @ 6400 rpm

175 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

-

Read Review

$22,050- $34,050

Gasoline

6.63

186 hp @ 6000 rpm

186 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2021 Hyundai Venue vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.4 sec--
    7.8 sec16.1 sec-
    8.3 sec16.5 sec120 mph
    8.4 sec16.6 sec120 mph
    8.6 sec16.5 sec-
    9 sec17.0 sec106 mph

    2021 Hyundai Venue vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      30 mpg33 mpg31 mpg11.9 gal.357/392.7 mi.
      31 mpg36 mpg33 mpg10.8 gal.334.8/388.8 mi.
      27 mpg33 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/435.6 mi.
      27 mpg31 mpg29 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/409.2 mi.
      27 mpg31 mpg29 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/409.2 mi.
      25 mpg33 mpg28 mpg13.5 gal.337.5/445.5 mi.

      2021 Hyundai Venue vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        159.1 in.69.7 in.61.6 in.6.7 in.99.2 in.
        173 in.70.7 in.61.7 in.8 in.104.4 in.
        172.6 in.70.7 in.61.6 in.5.9 in.103.9 in.
        172 in.70.9 in.63.6 in.7.3 in.103.5 in.
        169.1 in.69.3 in.63.3 in.7 in.103.1 in.
        168.4 in.70.1 in.65.3 in.6.22 in.100.6 in.

        2021 Hyundai Venue vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          18.7 cu.ft.91.9 cu.ft.31.9 cu.ft.
          18.8 cu.ft.92.8 cu.ft.48.4 cu.ft.
          20.9 cu.ft.91.1 cu.ft.65.4 cu.ft.
          14.1 cu.ft.91.7 cu.ft.39.8 cu.ft.
          18.7 cu.ft.92.8 cu.ft.48.4 cu.ft.
          19.2 cu.ft.94.1 cu.ft.45.8 cu.ft.

          2021 Hyundai Venue vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            31.9 cu.ft.18.7 cu.ft.31.9 cu.ft.-
            28.6 cu.ft.26.6 cu.ft.62.8 cu.ft.-
            89.7 cu.ft.18.8 cu.ft.48.4 cu.ft.74 ft.
            37 cu.ft.19.1 cu.ft.37 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.20.9 cu.ft.65.4 cu.ft.82 ft.
            8.5 cu.ft.-50.8 cu.ft.-Jeep USA

            2021 Hyundai Venue vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1780 lbs.1158 lbs.2612 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1089 lbs.2890 lbs.
              2800 lbs.-2948 lbs.
              2000 lbs.1281 lbs.3305 lbs.
              1500 lbs.959 lbs.3232 lbs.
              1500 lbs.1018 lbs.3237 lbs.

              2021 Hyundai Venue SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              2

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              27

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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