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2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Review2023 Hyundai Venue: Pint-Sized Value
The 2023 Hyundai Venue is a small urban cruiser with some great features. Our experts review the powertrain, trim levels, and more. Read our opinion here.
What’s New for the 2023 Hyundai Venue
Introduced three years ago, the 2023 Hyundai Venue is now the Korean automaker’s entry-level offering, taking the place of the Accent on this list, as that small car has been discontinued. Like the Rio from sister-company Kia, the Venue is intended to be a capable around-town runner that is light on the wallet.
Updates over last year’s Venue, that we review here, include the addition of rear occupant alert across the lineup. Top-spec Limited models now come with a wireless smartphone charging pad and a center console armrest has been added to the list of standard equipment.
2023 Hyundai Venue – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2023 Hyundai Venue on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Handsome upright styling
So much value
Driver aids aplenty
Missing optional packages
Light on highway power
No AWD options
Ideal urban runabout
2023 Venue Specs
- 121 horsepower from base engine
- 113 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 19 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 32 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Wireless Apple and Android integration
- IIHS Top Safety Pick
- Three years of complimentary maintenance
2023 Hyundai Venue Powertrain
Though it seems fairly obvious from the spec sheet – strictly FWD, small 121-horse inline-4, and CVT – that the 2023 Venue is intended as an urban runabout, Hyundai does also spell it out on their website. This is helpful to keep in mind if you’re looking at this tiny SUV as a road tripper. You can take the Venue on the highway, but plan those passing maneuvers accordingly as its 0-60 acceleration is weak.
The Venue rides on an independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with a coupled torsion beam setup out back. This, combined with the drum brakes on base models, helps keep the cost down along with driving verve. Interestingly, SEL and Limited models offer Snow mode as part of the selectable drive settings that Hyundai notes make use of “advanced traction control”. That’s important since only the front wheels will be spinning.
All 2023 Venues do come with stability and traction control as well as a vehicle stability management system, so you can feel confident in any model when the going gets slick.
2023 Hyundai Venue Fuel Economy & MPG
An upside to that wee powerplant is strong fuel economy. The 2023 Venue is rated for 29 mpg in city driving and 33 on the highway. As seen in this comparison with Buick’s Encore, those figures best the GM crossover by 4 and 3 mpg, respectively. If you were to hit the open road in the Venue, its 12-gallon gas tank translates to nearly 400 miles of range between fill-ups.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Like any vehicle in the subcompact category, the Hyundai Venue is not anyone’s first choice for carting around five adults, though it is rated as such. The 34 inches of legroom found in the back seat are two-inches shy of Mazda’s CX-30, though they are evenly matched up front. You won’t find leather upholstery here, but the Limited model offers a pleasingly upscale denim-like fabric contrasted by cream-colored trim.
The 60/40 split/fold rear bench can be dropped to open up a useful 32 cubic feet of cargo space versus the 19 cubes found with the seats up. Base models do an admirable job of breaking up the all-black everything with touches of silver-colored trim, but on the whole, the cabin has a notably plastic vibe going. Then again, for 20 grand, that’s not completely unexpected.
Interestingly, the midpack SEL comes with a sunroof but the higher-end Limited does not. And while that latter model sports heated seats, it would be nice to see an optional package with upgrades like dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and leather upholstery.
Entertainment & Technology
Across the 2023 Hyundai Venue lineup, you’ll find an 8-inch color touchscreen for infotainment management. Though a nice size, it has the look of an afterthought with the way it appears pasted onto the center stack. Physical knobs for volume and tuning are always appreciated and the Limited trim adds navigation to the mix.
But here again is a Venue weirdness. The bottom two models – SE and SEL – come with wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On Limited models, that integration requires you to plug in. Audio systems are of the light variety with a speaker in each door on base models and a pair of tweeters added to the Limited.
Safety Features
Hyundai is consistently competitive with its level of standard advanced driver aids and it shows on the 2023 Venue. All models come with forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, high beam assist, a rear occupant alert, and driver attention warning.
Along with six airbags, this helps the Venue earn a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS. Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are added to SEL trim and above, while the LED headlights on Limited models bumps that aspect of the IIHS testing from Marginal to Acceptable.
2023 Hyundai Venue Trims & Pricing
SE – $20,795
The base Venue SE rides on 15-inch alloy wheels, sporting a monochromatic paint job and tinted glass for an upscale look. Keyless entry is included along with black cloth upholstery featuring patterned inserts and a steering column that tilts and telescopes. The 8-inch infotainment touchscreen features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and there are a pair of USB ports up front.
SEL – $22,545
Moving up to the SEL adds 17-inch rims and a bright chrome-trimmed front grille as well as a set of roof rails. The cabin upgrades include a sunroof and automatic climate control plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting white stitching.
Limited – $24,045
The top-spec Venue Limited has full LED exterior lighting, heated side mirrors, and the option for an exclusive Denim paint color with a white roof. The denim theme continues onto the patterned cloth and leatherette upholstery. Other appointments include heated front seats, dual rear USB ports, and Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity that allows for app-based vehicle control.
Warranties
As ever, Hyundai knocks it out of the park with its warranty that is headlined by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain term. The basic vehicle is covered for five years or 60,000 miles and roadside assistance is on hand for five years with no mileage limit. There are also three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary factory maintenance.
What we think
2023 Hyundai Venue – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2023 Hyundai Venue on Carsforsale.com
There is so much to like with the 2023 Hyundai Venue from the low entry price and high level of standard driver aids to the fact that the top-spec Limited model adds less than $4,000 to the bottom line. While I would never say no to more power, given the Venue’s intent as a local cruiser, the little four-pot under the hood gets the job done.
It does seem odd that the highest-end model skimps on features that are included in the model below, but that may be splitting hairs to some. That being said, I would find myself one of the middle-of-the-road SEL variants specifically for the open-air sunroof benefit and convenience of a wire-free smartphone connection. Be sure to check out our latest new car incentives write-up before heading to the dealership.
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