2026 Hyundai Venue Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

16-07-2025

Overview
The Hyundai Venue is at least a half-foot shorter than any other subcompact SUV on the market. It also costs several thousand dollars less than most of its competitors, yet it doesn't feel cramped or cut-rate. The cabin design is simple and smart, with several places to store small items and an easy-to-use infotainment system that supports smartphone mirroring.
The Venue's tidy dimensions and responsive steering are boons for those who regularly weave through city traffic but less than ideal for highway commuters, who will have to make constant corrections when the wind buffets this featherweight off course. They're also liable to curse the modestly powered four-cylinder during merging and passing attempts, as the Venue takes its sweet time getting up to speed. But that's often the price you pay for a good price.
Expert Tip: For about the same money, a base Kia Soul gets you more space, power, and style than the Hyundai.
What's New for 2026?
The Limited trim is gone, leaving just the SE and SEL. The latter (now the lineup topper) gains some equipment: wireless device charging, heating for the front seats and side mirrors, and two-tone paint options.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Hyundai Venue is expected to start around $22,000 and go up to $24,000 depending on the trim and options.
SE
$22,000 (est)
SEL
$24,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k
The SEL is worth the splurge. It improves on the base model with automatic climate control, heated front seats, proximity keyless entry, and blind-spot monitoring.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Engine: 121-hp four-cylinder
121-hp four-cylinder Transmission: continuously variable automatic (CVT)
continuously variable automatic (CVT) Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
Powered by a 121-hp four-cylinder engine, the Venue feels sufficiently motivated around town but has a complete lack of passing power on the highway. A CVT sends torque exclusively to the front wheels; all-wheel drive isn't an option.
We find the Venue is best suited for short commutes across town rather than long highway trips. It feels agile in traffic, largely thanks to its tidy dimensions and reactive steering. On the highway, though, this subcompact SUV needs regular attention to stay in its lane.
0–60-MPH Times
C/D 60-mph Test: 8.5 seconds
In Comparison: With our test gear attached, a Venue took a leisurely 8.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. Still, it's quicker than the Nissan Kicks.
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Hyundai
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test : 31 mpg
31 mpg EPA City Rating : 29 mpg
29 mpg EPA Highway Rating: 32 mpg
The EPA hasn't yet released fuel-economy information for the 2026 Hyundai Venue, but the ratings shouldn't change. The 2025 model earns estimates of 29 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Those numbers are slightly worse than those of the Nissan Kicks, which has estimates of 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.
On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, the Venue saw 31 mpg—1 mpg short of its EPA highway rating. For more information about the Venue's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
First Row: Despite its diminutive dimensions, the Venue has a roomy cabin. The design isn't flashy, but the interior is well assembled and fitted with sturdy switchgear and an attractive gauge cluster and infotainment system. Heated seats and single-zone automatic climate control are available in the SEL, but you won't find things like a heated steering wheel or head-up display in any Venue.
Second Row: The back seat is spacious for a subcompact SUV but not necessarily for a person over six feet tall.
Cargo Capacity: With the 60/40 split-folding rear seats in use, the Venue has 19 cubic feet of cargo room. That volume increases to 32 cubes when the back seat is folded flat.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment: 8.0-inch touchscreen
8.0-inch touchscreen Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Audio System: 6-speaker stereo
Every Venue comes with a user-friendly 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The interface has attractive menus that quickly responds to inputs, and there are useful volume and tuning knobs below the screen. A six-speaker audio system is standard on all trim levels.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Hyundai outfits every Venue with a few driver-assistance technologies, including automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control is unavailable, though.
Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights
automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights Optional Safety Features: blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert
For information about the Venue's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Hyundai is a leader in warranty and maintenance coverage, offering longer terms than most other automakers.
Limited Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
five years or 60,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
10 years or 100,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: three years or 36,000 miles
C/D Test Results and Specs
We test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it.
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Hyundai Venue
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$23,170 (base price: $18,470)
ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection
Displacement
98 in3, 1598 cm3
Power
121 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque
113 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/torsion beam
Brakes (F/R): 11.0-in vented disc/10.3-in disc
Tires: Nexen N'Priz AH8, 205/55R-17 91H M+S
C/D
TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 8.5 sec
100 mph: 28.4 sec
110 mph: 42.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 9.0 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.5 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 6.2 sec
¼-mile: 16.7 sec @ 83 mph
Top speed (C/D est): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 162 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g
C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 28 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 31 mpg
Highway range: 360 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 30–32/27–30/34–35 mpg
More Features and Specs