2022 Hyundai Venue – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2022 Hyundai Venue on Carsforsale.com
Hyundai has axed its quirky Denim trim from the first two years of Venue production. In its place is a new Limited trim which can still be had with the fabric-inspired color palette from last year.
Fun to drive in the city
Fuel sipping
Great technology
Underpowered
No upgraded engine option
Noisy cabin
We want AWD
Under the hood of every Venue is a four-cylinder engine that develops 121 hp and 113 pound-feet of torque. It sends that power to the front wheels only through a continuously variable transmission. Those who want AWD won’t find it in the Venue regardless of trim or option packages. Instead, Hyundai has included a Snow driving mode that it says helps to gain maximum traction in such conditions.
In normal driving conditions, the Venue is a mixed bag. Around town and in dense urban jungles it’s one of the more enjoyable cars in its class. The engine is peppy enough to zip in and out of tighter spaces with ease and the steering is sharp enough that placing the Venue is very simple.
Sadly, we can’t say the same about its behavior at higher speeds. The steering turns into a somewhat twitchy affair and the engine simply isn’t up to the task of hauling this vehicle around quickly above about 35 mph
According to the EPA, the 2022 Hyundai Venue gets an estimated 29 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. That applies to all trim levels since the drivetrain is identical in each. Those numbers aren’t bad but they fall short of some rivals like the Nissan Kicks.
Hyundai has made the interior of the Venue one of its greatest features. The front seats feature excellent padding and adjustability along with excellent headroom and ergonomics. Visibility for the driver is also above average and we especially like how easy it is to learn and use the controls throughout the cabin. Even minor details like the switchgear and the stitching are given proper attention and that’s somewhat rare in this class.
For example, only a vehicle aimed at a higher price point like the Buick Encore will have a nicer interior in this segment. On the other hand, most often, rivals like the Chevy Trax will demonstrate just how good the Venue is.
The second-row seats have been a little too soft since this car launched back in 2020 and that’s still the case here. We appreciate the cargo space behind that row (18.7 cubic feet) but as time has gone on it’s no longer near the head of the pack.
A snappy 8-inch infotainment system does the majority of the heavy lifting in the Hyundai Venue. We’ve always appreciated its attractive user interface but it doesn’t stop there. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the entire lineup for those who want more integration with their daily devices.
Buyers who opt for the SEL or the Limited trim will also get an excellent integrated navigation system along with real-time traffic updates. Both the base sound system and the upgraded six-speaker package are good for what they are but the latter is especially impressive. Finally, Hyundai has equipped the Venue with a complete safety suite that includes forward collision mitigation, lane-keep assist, driver-attention warning, and more.
Aside from the excellent advanced safety features on offer from Hyundai, the Venue was also awarded a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. At the same time, it only scored four stars in crash testing by the NHTSA. Despite that, we think that the excellent safety feature package makes it worth consideration.
The base Venue comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, an 8-inch infotainment system, four speakers, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, forward collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, and driver attention warning.
The mid-range trim gets 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, roof rails, rear disc brakes, automatic climate control, six speakers, and blind-spot monitoring.
The top trim gets LED headlights, heated front seats, keyless entry, integrated navigation, and heated mirrors.
Every Venue comes with an outstanding five-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s far better than any other brand aside from corporate partner Kia. The Venue also comes with three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
2022 Hyundai Venue – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2022 Hyundai Venue on Carsforsale.com
City commuters would be hard-pressed to find a car that provides a better value for money in the long run. The Venue isn’t perfect and we’d love to see Hyundai add AWD, a more powerful powertrain option, and better high-speed manners but those are tiny gripes for a car with a big personality. We love the spacious interior and the excellent cabin layout too. Add on the safety equipment and the warranty coverage and the Venue becomes an easy recommendation.